Just weeks away from its 20th series, Strictly Come Dancing has found itself embroiled in its biggest scandal yet. Amid shocking allegations, two of the show’s best-loved professionals have now been axed – and we’re told that presenter Tess Daly is worried about what is still to unfold.
Only weeks after Giovanni Pernice, 33, left the show over allegations he bullied his dance partner Amanda Abbington, 50, news broke that fan-favourite Graziano Di Prima, 30, had also been axed – with shocking allegations that the Sicilian-born star “hit, kicked and spat” at Love Island’s Zara McDermott, 27.
Admitting in a statement that, while the production team were “amazing”, her “experience inside the training room was very different”, Zara said, “There were witnesses to some events, as well as videos of particular incidents, which are incredibly distressing to watch.” While Giovanni vowed to “clear his name”, Graziano released a statement, reading, “My intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime.”
At the time of going to press, further reports had also suggested that a third Strictly professional has been identified as a “person of interest” amid the BBC’s investigations into the claims.
Now, we’re told the shock revelations have left Tess, 55, feeling nervous – with the star worrying that, as the face of Strictly, she may be dragged into the drama.
Our source reveals, “Tess has been getting very stressed about the future of the show, and she worries that this series could be the last because of all this controversy. This Graziano drama is the last thing they needed following on from Giovanni, and she’s not sure how much more Strictly can take.”
The source continues, “This is a show Tess has worked on for 20 years – it means so much to her, she hates that it’s being destroyed. Obviously, she doesn’t see what goes on during rehearsals, but she’s always got on well with the professional dancers. She feels quite protective of them, but she knows the bosses must protect the contestants.”
And amid Tess’ concern for the dancers, we’re told the star is also anxious about what the downfall of Strictly could mean for her career. While her co-host Claudia Winkleman, 52, has a varied presenting portfolio, including hit reality format The Traitors, Tess has largely kept Strictly as her flagship project.
“If Strictly doesn’t survive this, Tess doesn’t know what she would do,” reveals our source. “She’s not like Claudia with lots of things on the go – she’s terrified what this fallout could mean. Strictly is her baby, and she’d be devastated if they cancelled it.”
With the upcoming series fast approaching, the BBC has already announced new measures – confirming it will appoint two dedicated welfare producers, as well as assigning chaperones to safeguard rehearsals.
This Morning’s Alison Hammond, 49, who competed on the show back in 2014 with Aljaž Škorjanec, dubbed the broadcaster’s new safety measures “a good idea.” However, she admitted that she wouldn’t want a chaperone, adding “You just want to enjoy yourself. To be fair, out of the five days training in a week, you probably have cameras in the studio with you three of those days.”
However, not everyone has spoken positively of the show. Reverend Richard Coles, 62, who appeared on the 15th series, described Strictly as “a wonderful show with a dark heart”. He elaborated, “Perhaps one of the things that [phrase] meant is what you don’t see, which is how intensely competitive it is.”
Now, our source says, “Tess does worry people are out to get Strictly, and the doors are open for anyone who had a bit of a tough time to try to destroy the show.”
But while the heat is certainly on, we’re told Tess is confident that this is a storm the show can weather. “She knows how much the fans love Strictly. If the producers can just sort this out, she feels people will look forward to its return. Plus, she’ll have the support of Claudia once they’re back with the live shows, which is a comfort.”