Strictly dancers are living in fear over who will get the boot next and have been left ‘entirely in the dark’ over ongoing misconduct probe
They saw two of their colleagues leave Strictly amid allegations of abuse and bullying.
And now the show’s remaining professional dancers have revealed they have been ‘left completely in the dark’ by bosses and are fearful of ‘who will be the next to leave’.
As Strictly returns for its 20th anniversary on Saturday, sources at the programme say they are finding the scandal “difficult” as they brace for the loss of more colleagues.
An insider told the Mail: ‘The revelations about their friends have been very traumatic for the other professionals and they have been completely kept in the dark about the whole scandal.
“They continue to train every day to prepare for the upcoming series, but every day they fear that another colleague will be gone. They are not sure who will be next.”
Strictly dancers have revealed they have been ‘left completely in the dark’ by bosses and are fearful of ‘who will be the next to leave’
As Strictly returns on Saturday for its 20th anniversary, sources within the programme say they are finding the scandal ‘difficult’ as they prepare for the loss of more colleagues
Their fears come after Giovanni Pernice, 34, decided to quit the show after the BBC launched an investigation into allegations from Amanda Abbington that he bullied her during training. He strongly denies the allegations.
And in July, Graziano Di Prima, 30, was sacked after admitting kicking his dance partner Zara McDermott. Bosses took swift action after seeing video of him kicking her hard as she lay on the floor.
Although the show returned on Saturday, the BBC has not yet made a ruling on whether Pernice did anything wrong, but he is expected to be acquitted.
BBC directors are panicking and worried about the publication of their findings, fearing legal action from either the 52-year-old actress or Pernice if either is disappointed with the outcome.
The departure of Mr Pernice, the longest-serving male dancer, and the subsequent dismissal of Mr Di Prima have thrown the Saturday night classic into turmoil, as both dancers were much loved by fans and colleagues.
However, Vito Coppola, who won the show last year with his partner Ellie Leach, remains stoic about the future of Strictly. He said: ‘Honestly, we’re like a big family. And like a big family, we support each other. We’re like brothers, sisters and cousins.’
After being absent last year due to a breast cancer diagnosis, professional Amy Dowden told the NTAs on Wednesday night that the investigations had not damaged Strictly’s reputation.
The show airs on Saturday and stars include former England footballer Paul Merson, singer Toyah Wilcox and DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles.
Their fears come after Giovanni Pernice, 34, decided to quit the show after the BBC launched an investigation into allegations from Amanda Abbington that he had bullied her.