The dazzling world of Strictly Come Dancing has lost some of its shine as the BBC finds itself in hot water. After a bruising investigation into claims of bullying on its beloved show, the broadcaster has finally issued a formal apology to actress Amanda Abbington. Her accusations against ex-professional dancer Giovanni Pernice, alleging “abusive, cruel, and mean” behavior during her time on the dance floor, have stirred more drama than any routine ever could.
This scandal has brought to light the dark underbelly of a show adored by millions. Pernice, who left the show earlier this year, has vehemently denied the claims, refusing to take the fall without a fight, telling his supporters, “I will be back.”
Abbington’s decision to speak up was no small feat, especially as she faced a tsunami of online abuse from Pernice’s diehard fans. Yet, her courage forced the BBC to take a hard look at what goes on behind the scenes of its glittering production. The corporation’s investigation revealed that while verbal bullying and harassment claims were upheld, allegations of physical aggression were not.
In the midst of all the glitz and glam, the BBC has been forced to reckon with how far its stars may go in pursuit of perfection. “We take any allegations of bullying and harassment very seriously,” the broadcaster stated. “We want to apologize to Amanda Abbington and thank her for coming forward. It is a great shame if the show was not a joyous experience for everyone involved.”
But this tale doesn’t end here. Graziano Di Prima, another professional dancer, also departed from the show after reality star Zara McDermott described her experience as “incredibly distressing.” Di Prima offered a public apology, admitting that his drive to win may have pushed him to extreme lengths.
In the aftermath, the BBC is scrambling to restore faith in its family-friendly show, unveiling new welfare precautions aimed at safeguarding both celebrities and dancers. From mandatory psychological reviews to around-the-clock training room supervision, it seems the broadcaster is intent on dancing its way out of this scandal.
But one thing’s clear: while Strictly might sparkle on the surface, the grind behind the scenes can be far from pretty. Let’s just hope that these changes will ensure that the joy of dancing is no longer overshadowed by shadows of cruelty and competition.
