Richard Madeley has defended Strictly’s Ola Jordan amid claims she ‘bullied’ her celebrity partner Steve Backshall.
Hardened explorer and presenter Steve, 51, – who has dived with Great White sharks and wrestled poisonous snakes in his career – lodged a complaint with the BBC after struggling in gruelling practice sessions back in 2014.
He accused Ola, 41, of being ‘rude and impatient’ and was later assigned a chaperone after he refused to be left alone with her.
Hosting Good Morning Britain alongside Charlotte Hawkins on Monday, Richard, once again weighed in on the scandal after admitting that he wasn’t surprised about the allegations during last week’s show.
‘She left ages ago, didn’t she? I thought she was great! Loved her,’ he said.
Richard Madeley has defended Strictly’s Ola Jordan amid claims she ‘bullied’ her celebrity partner Steve Backshall
Hardened explorer and presenter Steve, 51, lodged a complaint with the BBC after struggling in gruelling practice sessions back in 2014 (pictured with Ola)
Richard added: ‘There are worse things than being a bit rude and a bit cold, aren’t there? If that’s true.’
The bullying claims have reemerged during a time of crisis for the show amid various abuse scandals and a misconduct probe – with insiders now saying that the series is ‘fatally tarnished’.
Pro Graziano Di Prima, 30, was axed from the upcoming series over reports he verbally and physically abused his celebrity partner Zara McDermott, 27, during last year’s competition.
This came after another pro Giovanni Pernice, 33, was suspended from the show last month over claims of off-camera misconduct – which he denies – made by Amanda Abbington, 50, and two other former celeb partners.
Last week, Richard confessed he knows lots of people who have been involved in the hit dance show and they have been talking about these issues for years.
Discussing what would be coming up on Good Morning Britain on Thursday, the host revealed they would be speaking to Strictly alumni Reverend Richard Coles and Edwina Currie about their time on the show.
He then added: ‘I have to say the people that I know involved in that programme all talk about these issues and they say they’ve all known for years and years and years but the lid has been kept on it and now that lid is coming off.’
‘I’ve spoken to both contestants and also professionals about it. And I think no one has been surprised that this stuff has surfaced.’
Hosting GMB alongside Charlotte Hawkins on Monday, Richard, once again weighed in on the scandal after admitting that he wasn’t surprised about the allegations during last week’s show
Richard said: ‘There are worse things than being a bit rude and a bit cold, aren’t there? If that’s true’ (Ola pictured in 2014)
Last week, Richard confessed he knows lots of people who have been involved in the hit dance show and they have been talking about these issues for years
He also explained: ‘I remember somebody who worked on the show for years and years turning to me and saying “Strictly is a wonderful show with a dark heart” and I never really understood what that meant.
‘But perhaps one of the things that meant is what you don’t see. And that is how intensively competitive that is.’
Former contestant Steve complained to the BBC about his professional partner Ola back in 2014 claiming she ‘bullied’ him.
The programme’s bosses were forced to step in after he alleged that she had dented his confidence with her ‘rude and impatient’ manner.
A source close to the show explained at the time: ‘Steve is a very bouncy personality, up for any challenge, but Ola’s harsh treatment has flattened him and made him lose confidence.
‘She was very rude and impatient when he found it difficult to master the shapes for last Saturday’s Charleston.
‘Her choreography and tuition was so tough, Steve resorted to asking other people to show him what he had to do.
‘Ola is a cold and very distant personality, who refuses to mix with Steve’s family and friends,’ the source added.
It is understood that Steve complained directly to one of the Strictly producers after their Halloween-themed Charleston.
Bosses then called Ola in for a meeting and agreed that she and Steve would be accompanied at all times while they remained in the competition.
At the time Steve told how he struggled with the physical demands of the series.
He told the Daily Mail he was unable to point the toes of his left foot because his ankle was fused in a near-fatal climbing accident in 2008.
The action star, who was once bitten by a caiman, a reptile similar to a crocodile, revealed he was in ‘constant pain’ during training and took painkillers every day, adding: ‘It has absolutely broken me.
‘You are training all day long on hard wooden floors wearing dance shoes that have no give in them at all, and no cushioning. The impact travels straight all the way through my body and I’m just falling apart.’
It is understood that Steve complained directly to one of the Strictly producers after the Halloween episode with a source saying;` Steve resorted to asking other people to show him’
He also complained that the constant training affected his social life, saying: ‘I’m actually a little bit disappointed about the fact I’m supposedly in this incredibly high-profile position and I haven’t even got a minute to see my oldest and dearest friends, let alone to go on a date.
‘So it’s been rubbish for that. My dance partner is very, very happily married, so there is certainly no chance of me getting involved like that.
‘And outside of that, not a chance. I have had zero social life.’
A show insider said at the time: ‘Ola is a strict taskmaster. She sees real potential in Steve and thinks he could go the distance in the competition.
‘She took the trophy with Chris Hollins and would love to win again – and with the mums’ and kids’ votes behind them, Steve is a real contender.’
A representative for Ola has been contacted by MailOnline for comment.
