Les Dennis called his stint on Strictly Come Dancing ‘the hardest thing ever’ as he waded into the bullying row on Wednesday’s Good Morning Britain.
The 70-year-old comedian and his professional dance partner Nancy Xu became the first pair eliminated from the show in 2023 when they failed to survive the dance off.
On Wednesday morning, during an appearance on the ITV breakfast show, the entertainer was quizzed about his time on the BBC hit by host Richard Madeley.
He explained: ‘I was only there for two weeks and you rehearse with your partner separately. I was in a bubble between home and wherever I was on tour. I was in 42nd street at the time.
Les insisted that his ‘experience was great,’ but admitted that the show is ‘the hardest thing ever’ and your professional partner ‘wants to push you’.
Les Dennis admitted Strictly Come Dancing is ‘the hardest thing ever’ as he waded into the bullying row on Wednesday’s Good Morning Britain
The 70-year-old comedian and his professional dance partner Nancy Xu became the first pair eliminated from the show in 2023 when they failed to survive the dance off
Talking to Richard and his co-host Trisha Goddard, the comedian added: ‘I used to joke to friends that I felt like I was in Black Swan.
‘It is tough, your professional partner wants to win as much as you do and they want to push you outside of your comfort zone.’
Directed by Darren Aronofsky and co-starring Mila Kunis, Black Swan (2010) is a psychological thriller about a troubled ballet dancer (Natalie Portman) and her diabolical quest for perfection.
At the time of Les’ departure from the show, it was reported that Les struggled to connect because the funnyman’s energy levels didn’t match that of Nancy’s.
A source told The Sun: ‘Les the entertainer may have charmed audiences with his style, but behind the scenes it was a vastly different story.
‘Les was often moody and erratic because he found the training a very draining process. He’s almost 70 so was knackered just two weeks in and this led to clashes with Nancy.
‘His mood didn’t match Nancy’s enthusiasm and positivity which created tension and discord in the studio.’
The insider added that Les would often lose his cool at the slightest mistake while Nancy was patient and encouraging.
He added: ‘It is tough, your professional partner wants to win as much as you do and they want to push you outside of your comfort zone’
Directed by Darren Aronofsky and co-starring Mila Kunis, Black Swan (2010) is a psychological thriller about a troubled ballet dancer (Natalie Portman) and her diabolical quest for perfection
Les insisted that his ‘experience was great,’ but admitted that the show is ‘the hardest thing ever’ and your professional partner ‘wants to push you’
Talking to Richard and his co-host Trisha Goddard , the comedian added: ‘I used to joke to friends that I felt like I was in Black Swan’
At the time of Les’ departure from the show, it was reported that Les struggled to connect because the funnyman’s energy levels didn’t match that of Nancy’s
The source further described them as ‘polar opposites’ and said they struggled to ‘gel’ which showed in their performance.
Les’ most recent GMB appearance comes as Strictly Come Dancing remains locked in an explosive bullying probe.
The Strictly scandal erupted in January when actress Amanda Abbington accused her Strictly partner Giovanni Pernice of abuse after she unexpectedly quit the show just five weeks in.
Sherlock actress Amanda, 50, a has made a series of accusations about Giovanni’s teaching methods and has described his behaviour as ‘unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean’. He strongly denies all of the claims.
In one interview, Amanda compared the dance show to ‘the trenches’ telling Channel 4 News that BBC producers had been left ‘horrified’ by clips that also allegedly exhibited ‘humiliating behaviour of a sexual nature’.
Then, in July, it emerged that Graziano Di Prima had been sacked from Strictly for ‘kicking’ his partner, Love Island star Zara McDermott.
A Strictly source said: ‘Graziano’s abuse was ongoing, he kicked and hit her. There were multiple occasions where both physical and verbal attacks were made. It was more physical than verbal but all of it was dreadful.
AT the time, a source said: ‘Les the entertainer may have charmed audiences with his style, but behind the scenes it was a vastly different story’
The Strictly scandal erupted in January when actress Amanda Abbington accused her Strictly partner Giovanni Pernice (both pictured) of abuse after she unexpectedly quit the show
Then, in July, it emerged that Graziano Di Prima had been sacked from Strictly for ‘kicking’ his partner, Love Island star Zara McDermott
‘There were occasions where he did some terrible things, it really was awful. What he did makes Giovanni look like a pussy cat.’
Graziano has since claimed he does not know the full particulars of what he is supposed to have done.
The BBC will not give further details due to the ‘confidential nature of the circumstances’ in which the information was provided and their ‘obligations’ to ‘third parties’.
STRICTLY LINE-UP 2024
Chris McCausland
Age: 46
Profession: Comedian
Chris says: ‘If anybody out there is thinking – How the hell is he going to do that? – then rest assured that I am thinking exactly the same thing.’
Dr. Punam Krishan
Age: Unknown
Profession: GP and broadcaster
Punam says: ‘I have watched Strictly every year and it feels extra special that it’s the 20th year, I can’t believe I will be the one getting Strictly-fied.’
Toyah Willcox
Age: 66
Profession: Singer, actor, presenter
Toyah says: ‘I’m super excited and love this show. To be a part of it, the spray tan the glitter. Its a landmark year for me I came a pensioner, Glasto and now I get spray tans.’
Pete Wicks
Age: 36
Profession: Reality star
Pete says: ‘Dancing live in front of the nation every Saturday? Absolutely terrifying.’
Shayne Ward
Age: 39
Profession: Actor and singer
Shayne says: ‘I’m no stranger to live TV, but dancing Latin and Ballroom in front of millions is a whole new level.’
Tom Dean
Age: 24
Profession: Olympic medal winning swimmer
Tom says: ‘Now I can officially talk about how excited I am to get stuck into something new, meet some brilliant people and get dancing’
Nick Knowles
Age: 61
Profession: TV presenter
Nick says: ‘I am going to really go for it I will throw myself at it 100 per cent!’
JB Gill
Age: 37
Profession: Singer
JB says: ‘A lot of the ballroom styles are very alien to me – I didn’t do those dances growing up. I am not a trained dancer.’
Wynne Evans
Age: 52
Profession: Opera singer, presenter
Wynne says: ‘The stuff I’m nervous about is the ones that involve jumping, I don’t really want to do the jive, I’m nervous about that.
Tasha Ghouri
Age: 25
Profession: Model and reality star
Tasha says: ‘I’ve been watching the show since I was little – it’s a firm Ghouri family favourite – so this is a total dream come true.’
Sarah Hadland
Age: 53
Profession: Actress
Sarah says: ‘I feel particularly excited to be part of such an iconic show in its 20th year.’
Jamie Borthwick
Age: 30
Profession: EastEnders star
Jamie says: ‘I had a ball doing the Christmas special, so when I was asked to join it was the easiest yes!’
Sam Quek
Age: 35
Profession: Former GB hockey player and presenter
Sam says: ‘I am so relieved it is out there now it has been hard to keep a secret! The rumours were spreading and I had to lie! I am used to dancing on a girls night out but I will give it my all’
Paul Merson
Age: 56
Profession: Former footballer
Paul says: ‘I won’t worry about it until it starts but when it does I will be nervous – I have only danced three times in my life!’
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