Strictly Come Dancing: How did the furore over the show begin?

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Louise Thomas

Editor

Strictly Come Dancing has been in the headlines in recent months after allegations about the behaviour of the show’s professional dancers.

Giovanni Pernice has faced claims about his teaching methods, which he denies, while Graziano Di Prima has faced claims about his conduct with a past participant.

In response to what the BBC has called “concerns” that are “fundamentally about training and rehearsals”, the corporation announced new welfare measures, including the introduction of a production team member who will be present “at all times” during training room rehearsals.

It announced on Monday the conclusion of its review into Amanda Abbington’s complaint.

Here is a timeline of how events have unfolded:

– 2023

October 23:Actress Amanda Abbington pulls out of Strictly.

October 24:Abbington says “it is with deepest regret” that she has had to leave Strictly “for personal reasons” that have made her “unable to continue”.

– 2024

January 6:The Sun reports that Abbington has demanded footage of her rehearsals with partner Pernice.

January 13:Abbington tells The Sun On Sunday that she was “diagnosed with mild PTSD” after Strictly and received death threats after her stint on the show.

March 16:Pernice tells The Mirror’s Invite Only podcast it is a “shame” that Abbington left the show early as he feels they could have “gone all the way”.

May 18:Pernice rejects allegations that he displayed “abusive or threatening behaviour” while working as a professional dancer, amid reports that the BBC is looking into complaints about his conduct on the show.

May 29:The BBC promises to handle any complaints with “care, fairness and sensitivity” to all sides, after reports about Pernice’s teaching methods.

June 10:The BBC confirms Pernice will not return as a professional in 2024.

June 16:Pernice says in an Instagram statement that he is “co-operating fully with the ongoing BBC investigation, which will determine the truth”.

June 25:Professional dancer Gorka Marquez says it is “just sad for everybody” when someone leaves the line-up, in the wake of Pernice’s exit.

July 13:Di Prima confirms his departure from the show amid reports of allegations about his conduct with a past participant.

July 14:Abbington tells The Sunday Times the show was “tough and horrible” and that the aftermath has “been really brutal and it just hasn’t stopped”.

July 16:Love Island star Zara McDermott responds to reports about her alleged mistreatment on the show and says she has spoken candidly to the BBC.

The corporation announces measures “to strengthen welfare and support” on the show, including a chaperone who will watch dress rehearsals “at all times”.

July 18:Di Prima’s spokesman says he has been left “in a very vulnerable state” and he “deeply regrets and apologised for” an isolated incident at the time.

July 22:Paralympian Will Bayley, who was partnered with Janette Manrara, says there was “no duty of care” on the show, and he suffered torn knee ligaments after performing a jump.

Manrara’s spokeswoman says she “has never received any complaints and has maintained friendships with all her partners, including Will”.

July 23:Director-general of the BBC, Tim Davie, apologises to contestants who have had an experience that “hasn’t been wholly positive”, and said the broadcaster will not “tolerate unacceptable behaviour of any kind”.

July 24:Abbington gives her first TV interview about the Strictly controversy, to Channel 4 News, and says she wants to encourage people who feel “bullied” or are in a situation they feel is “toxic and unsafe” to complain, despite the backlash she has allegedly received.

July 29:Irish TV presenter and former Love Island host Laura Whitmore alleges that she was subjected to “inappropriate behaviour”.

She was partnered with Pernice in 2016, but does name him, and adds that she has spoken to the BBC’s investigation team.

August:A former member of Strictly’s production staff claimed that crew faced “shouting, screaming and being insulted”.

BBC Studios says it does “not recognise these anonymous claims, nor will hundreds of production personnel who have worked with us”.

August 10:Di Prima denies he is “an abusive man”, and says he does not know from where McDermott’s allegations had stemmed. He claims he “kicked the floor in frustration”, and did not mean to hit her.

August 13:The full Strictly 2024 line-up is announced, with DIY SOS star Nick Knowles, former England footballer Paul Merson and Olympic hockey gold medallist Sam Quek the final three contestants.

August 22:The show will feature live signing for the first time, the BBC says.

September 7:Pernice says he is joining the Italian “equivalent of Dancing With The Stars”, which is called Ballando con le Stelle.

September 12:Strictly wins the talent show gong at the National Television Awards (NTAs).

September 14:Strictly returns with a 2024 cast of celebrities and professionals and makes no reference to the recent controversy.

September 30:The BBC apologises to Abbington, saying it had assessed and “upheld some, but not all” of the complaints.