Strictly Come Dancing 2024 (Series 22)

The BBC are covering the allegations for the first time.

The Sun 15 June 2024 - excerpts:

Giovanni Pernice grabbed his crotch in front of dance partners during rehearsals, BBC investigators have been told. He is also facing claims he upset partner Amanda Abbington and other celebrities by making lewd remarks. The BBC inquiry has been told Giovanni’s lewd behaviour wasn’t limited solely to Amanda — he did similar to other dance partners as well. “It’s alleged he would grab his crotch in front of them if they did something good in rehearsals."

”The new claims come after we revealed the BBC was looking into complaints of bullying against Giovanni from three former celebrity partners, including Sherlock actress Amanda and TV presenter Laura Whitmore. Among the other allegations said to have been heard by the BBC inquiry are that a mobile phone was thrown during a training session with Amanda, and her foot was left bruised after being stamped on. She claims her ordeal left her with PTSD — and has come off social media after being targeted by trolls.

Giovanni, who quit the show last month, denies all the allegations.

Come on sister, have yourself a ball. Don't be afraid to come dancing. It's only natural.

Among the judges and pros, it's finally been announced they're all coming back - even Karen, after 12 years on the show and she's over 40.

Well, except one pro who isn't coming back. But will he survive the scandal and keep selling tickets to his tours and continue doing travel series with judge Anton. I think one was planned that has now been nixed.

This is what happens to naughty boys. Eventually.

Really pleased that Amy Dowden is back. It was great to see her in the group dance in last year's finale. Karen Hauer is essentially pointless at this point but she ticks a demographic box.

The tabloids are enjoying the drip drip drip feed of revelations about Giovanni. The story might bubble away continually without any eruptions or it might overshadow the entire new series. There have been bullying accusations before but the men were called "bad boys" who "clashed" with partners.

OMFG the lovely Aljaž Škorjanec is returning to the show!

He's filled out a lot since he last was on the slow and looks all the better for it. Hopefully his annoying wife Jeanette Manrarararara won't be joining him.

Graziano has been sacked!

Not a good year for Italians on Strictly.

It's really not going well for the show ahead of the new series.

They're definitely cleaning house. Gio was a bit weird the past two series, like an object lesson in not believing your own hype.

So we get Aljaz back, who my husband and I call the human penis. This should be fun.

Who are these people?

Start here, r10.

Rev Richard Coles from the Communards says the shwi has a dark heart.

I shouldn't be surprised but the vitriol directed at Zara by MOSTLY MIDDLE AGED WOMEN for speaking out has been quite something to see.

Comments being

1. She expects to be trained in dancing, what does she expect

2. She's being paid, what does she expect

3. There are real people suffering

4. Having a handsome man demand high standards of you isn't rape.

Graziano KICKED Zara.

He KICKED her.

And he's denied spitting at her!

What an appalling thing for Zara to have gone through, to the pretend everything was fine and then pretend she was sad to leave when eventually voted off.

Interesting that Visage came out against Gio.

Graziano is in pieces.

Graz had to go, of course (no argument there), but a lot of the people shrieking against him on forums also practically beatify Caroline Flack as a media martyr, even though what she did (hitting her sleeping boyfriend on the head with a bottle) was way more dangerous than anything he did. The pile-on is distasteful, as of course is the ludicrous pile-on against Zara and indeed Amanda. It's the lack of perspective that is off-putting.

The Sun bumped an old story about Maisie Smith from Eastenders collapsing during training with Gorka with the explanation that she had skipped lunch. Gorka is so lovely I'd be horrified if he was a cunt to work with.

And old quotes from Rachel Riley have resurfaced. She found the Strictly experience so horrible she ended up having counselling at Pasha's suggestion. And she ended up married to Pasha and has 2 kids, and she said she felt sick when she heard the theme tune to the show.

After Pasha quit Rachel Riley also suggested the show was fixed and that storylines were created for the celebrities and scores fixed to make sure people get to the final. She was in the same years as Sophie Ellis Bextor, Abbie Clancy, Susanna Reid and Natalie Gumede.

Looks like this is going to affect the production of Dancing With The Stars in America

Lost respect for Abbington for selling her story to the Murdoch Sun. She's milking this.

Oh fuck off R20.

Amanda Abbington was humiliated by her Strictly experience, she experienced reputational damage, mental health issues and lost income as a result.

If you believe her version of events then who cares who she is telling?

I believe her version of events, but whining for money to the right wing Rupert Murdoch rag The Sun is a despicable, sellout move. Abbington revealed a lot more than what happened with her and Gio by doing this. She's a media whore like the rest of them who has repurposed her abuse as a personal opportunity. Even Mel B has handled this better.

They are just piling it ON.

The Will Bayley story was known previously but he was a lot more ‘oh well’ about it.

The Olympian also suffered an injury in the early series.

The BBC are very good at covering up scandals and relying on good will to put their side. Oh, that evil Rupert Murdoch is criticising them again, poor BBC!!!

Savile, Brand, Westwood, even Huw Edwards. It’s not a good track record.

I never understood the title of the show. Strictly Come Dancing.

Strictly Ballroom - classic 90s Australian rom com about ballroom dancing where a novice dancer is coached to compete in a final

Come Dancing - a BBC show about ballroom dancing that ran for decades

Strictly scandals now leading the BBC headlines.

294 contestants over 21 series, more is going to come out before the show starts and more during the show.

It's been going on for months, R27, and the only things the BBC-bashing press have come up with are rehashed known stories from years ago. The only new thing is the Graziano business, which came from the BBC itself and took everyone else totally by surprise.

Considering Lorraine wasn't presenting Lorraine it's a shame fellow Giovanni survivor Ranvir Singh wasn't the stand in presenter but Strictly veteran Christine managed to do an effective interview.

I can't face the interview with Krishnan, an awfully smug man.

Shirley issuing "cryptic statements" is not helpful.

Abingdon is milking this for all it's worth. It's the right thing to do career-wise, I suppose, but it doesn't make it any less lurid.

Notable that those attacking Abingdon for ruining the special feelgood buzz of their very favourite show resort to the most vile sadistic personal abuse at her and her family. Having suffered, she evidently deserves to suffer very much more.

Abingdon is keen for videos of rehearsals to be released to back up her claims, but the BBC won't allow them to be seen. Let's see how the corporation handles such trouble in paradise for their winter feelgood flagship.

Strictly and Amanda Abingdon can be terrible at the same time.

Amanda is promoting a new play (she is an actor of course) and interviewers are understandably interested in Strictly.

There are so many different groups at play here. Giovanni fans, troons who hated Amanda because she said some mildly uncontroversial things about sex and gender, anti snowflakes, anti wokes, anti BBC, anti Murdochs and pro BBC nutters.

When Kathy Burke tweeted in support of Amanda she was schooled with ‘Amanda didn’t deserve to be abused by Giovanni but….’

The BBC producers know they’re in the wrong and know that they overlooked and enabled abusive behaviour in the past - hi Brendan! - and they don’t seem to be keen to acknowledge that.

There's a lot of strategic artifice going on here, especially with Amanda. If you can't own it, then she doesn't get a free pass

One former staff member alleged they had been subjected to sexist and sexualised comments, including intrusive questions about their sex life, while another claimed they witnessed “talented co-workers treated with cruelty”.

Laura Whitmore has now made an official statement

[quote]The 39-year-old said she had been asked to speak to the BBC with six other people, whom she did not name, about "inappropriate behaviour they experienced similar to mine with the same individual".

Amanda previously said 6 or 7.

So who are the 7?

1. Amanda - confirmed

2. Laura - confirmed

3. Ranvir Singh - it's been reported but not confirmed she complained about him - she said she was scared of him

4. Richie Anderson - stories of a feud with Giovanni in 2022

5. Michelle Visage - likely - but previously said she wanted to be pushed hard and liked that aspect of Giovanni - she also said she spoke to Faye about him

6. Faye Tozer - likely - there were stories in 2018 about how she struggled with Gio's temper

7. Rose Ayling Ellis - possible, she was chaperoned the entire time with her signer

Georgia May Foote previously dated Giovanni and the lovely Debbie McGee has backed him repeatedly. Nicola Roberts danced with him in a Christmas episode

That Observer/Guardian piece is terrible journalism. Vague and unspecific allegations, no numbers or clear timescale, no corroboration - there is nothing specific enough for the BBC to meaningfully respond to. It feels like the disappointing result of a press fishing expedition that they decided to run with anyway. ,

It's the first week in August when the BBC begins to announce who the celebrity contestants are going to be for the September start. It is going to be an awful atmosphere with the producers worrying what else is going to come out about professional dancers.

It's also the first time the show will regroup since Robin Windsor's suicide. Sweet lovely Amy's brave return to dancing after cancer should have been the story.

I always wondered about Gleb Savchenko lasting only a year after being paired with BBC presenter Anita Rani. He was a great dancer and ridiculously hot. If Anita had made a complaint I imagine the BBC would be more inclined to protect one of their own presenters as opposed to someone who doesn't have a professional relationship with the BBC.

Will Young clearly hated the experience but didn't go into details over what specific aspects - HI KAREN!

The names of all 15 contestants taking part this year have apparently been leaked. We'll see if it is correct or just some sad fucker making up a wishlist but if it's the former then someone in the show's management really wants to fuck it up as much as possible.

Sport: Dame Laura Kenny, Jermaine Jenas

Actors: Hannah Waddingham, Shobna Gulati, Pearl Mackie, Kia Pegg, Shona McGarty, Sunil Patel

Comedians: Chris McCausland, Sarah Millican

TV: Janet Street Porter, Tyger Drew-Honey, Gyles Brandreth, Jordan North

Homosexuals: Duncan from Blue

It looks unbalanced to me - no current Olympians in Olympic year to start with and Duncan from Blue would be the 3rd member of Blue to do it. Are there no other boybands available? MARK OWEN, YOUR TIME IS NOW.

We now have official confirmations.

1. Blind comedian Chris McCausland

2. JLS star JB Gill - he's the one who is neither Aston nor Marvin and wasn't the one charged with rape

3. Toyah Wilcox

4. Dr Punam Krishan (a tv doctor apparently)

5. Wynne Evans - the man from the Go Compare adverts who works on BBC Wales and won Celebrity Masterchef

I don't think Hannah Waddingham will do strictly well she's on a career high. I do hope Shona/Whitney from EastEnders is confirmed in totally kills it.

While* (voice to text error)

I agree R41 - Hannah would enjoy doing it, but she's a major award winning star who is turning down work because she's so successful.

I know this makes me sound uneducated, but what does the phrase "strictly come dancing" mean? Is it British slang? A pun? I don't get it.

'Strictly' is from the film Strictly Ballroom, that in part brought ballroom back into public awareness and 'Come Dancing' is the name of the long-lasting BBC ballroom dancing competition that had run for decades.

The stories from the junior staff are coming out now. This seems like a case of several mini Jeremy Clarksons.

It's not like these stories come as a surprise - the abusive dancers were simply branded "bad boys" when they should have been sacked for bullying.

Most of this stuff is the basic cut and thrust of live performance and no-one is named, so no-one gets the chance to reply. I note the BBC was being fairly bullish about it, pointing out that none of these people actually complained at the time.

I think the point is that this "basic cut and thrust" is no longer acceptable. I think more will come out. We're post-Jimmy Savile and they cant' mess around.

[quote]pointing out that none of these people actually complained at the time.

But that's the issue isn't it? People don't complain because they would lose their job if they did challenge bullying behaviour.

If you're a junior staff member and you complain about a senior producer what do you think will happen? The same thing that happens in all organisations - they will protect their reputation by covering up the bullying and the junior complainant will find their career stalling.

And then there's the impact on the celebrities. Laura Whitmore complained in 2016 and hasn't worked for the BBC since. Did she get a reputation for being difficult? The abuse Amanda Abbington has had for making a complaint includes questioning how professional she is. Pulling out of a show half way through? Not reliable.

[quote]I note the BBC was being fairly bullish about it, pointing out that none of these people actually complained at the time.

Awful smug corporate arrogance. The 'little people' knew their little voices would count for nothing amid the biggest show on TV. And even if they did, they'd soon find that their complaining faces didn't fit. 'Nobody complained at the time' is all too reminiscent of the brush-off about yet more serious hierarchical abuses of power.

If you complain and they ignore you, you have a case. If you don't complain, you don't. Kicking a someone is one thing; this sort of petty stuff is something else. Plus, it is plainly the fairly modest result ( a few examples across an unspecified period of time) of a media fishing expedition (Tell us your Strictly horror stories!). A rigorous investigation it isn't.

Again R52 people have to balance whether complaining will damage their career. Countless celebrities have backed Giovanni over Amanda. The BBC knew about the complaints from Laura Whitmore and countless other bad experiences were reported about Giovanni and he was given his own tv show with Anton du Beke, a man caught up in a separate scandal which he would now definitely get sacked for.

And look at the recent experience with Huw Edwards at the BBC. When the original story was reported by The Sun people started talking about his behaviour in the BBC to younger staff. When Victoria Derbyshire started asking questions she was briefed about anonymously by "senior BBC staff" and attacked on Twitter by former BBC presenters. including Emily Maitlis. The anonymous briefings questioned her motives - the motives of the woman who was the first to cover the Barry Bennell scandal, where professional footballers came forward to disclose they had been abused as children by a coach, with the football clubs covering up the abuse.

After 2 random reality celebrities yesterday we now have names names names darling.

X Factor and Corrie star Shayne Ward, Miranda and James Bond star and general all round funny woman Sarah Hadland and Jamie Borthwick from Eastenders who did one of the Christmas shows. I'd make him an early favourite.

As suspected the list from Reddit at R39 was just made up.

And now it's Olympic swimming champion Tom Dean and Gladiator Montell Douglas, a former Team GB athlete.

Lots of people complaining about the WHO? calibre of this year's celebrities but last year hardly anyone had heard of that girl from Corrie, Jade Goody's son from Eastenders or former Billy Elliot who does some comedy stuff.

Series 1 is currently airing on BBC Four, with the first episode just airing. Can't believe it's being going this long. Tess has aged gracefully, Forsyth looks older at the start than I remember, and the dancers were mostly British!

And the final 3 contestants have been named: Sam Quek, Nick Knowles and Paul Merson.

6 women and 9 men, and no obvious homosexuals which will mean 9 female and 6 male dancers

The male dancers are Aliaz, Johannes, Nikita, Vito, Gorka, Carlos, Kai and the ginger one meaning 2 of them will be disappointed.

The female dancers are Nadiya, Dianne, Karen (ugh), Katya (ugh), Lauren, Jowita, Nancy Woo, Amy back from chemo and Luba who The Sun disclosed has been paired with Nick Knowles.

And I didn't realise Carlos was now an official homosexual having disclosed his LGBTQ identity to Lorraine Kelly last month.

aw I like Karen and Katya. My ugh is Dianne and her fake scarlet hair, to go with her fake dumb personality - though I don't think the 'dumb' part is fake. Oh well, guess she's better than Janette (who I can avoid by not watching ITT).

Toyah Wilcox is on her way!

My mother hates Janette (What does Aljaz see in her? She's awful!) and I hate Janette because I've worked with two Jeanettes over the years and they both deserved to fall down an elevator shaft like Rosalind Shays.

Karen is just so unlikeable (3 ex husbands at 42?) and isn't going to improver after all these years - this will be her 13th year! - and Katya has had a few "furious clashes" stories about her partners so I'm surprised she is still around.

My top 5 predictions will be:

1. Jamie Borthwick - equipped himself well on Christmas Strictly, very likeable, good work ethic, promoted endlessly by BBC

2. Shayne Ward - experienced performer, popular with ladies of a certain age

3. Montell Douglas - will look amazing in her outfits, BBC star so will be promoted ahead of next Gladiators series, understands hard training

4. Sam Quek - good work ethic from her sport, looks amazing yet doesn't threaten other women, BBC presenter so will get promoted

5. JB Gill - won the Christmas special years back, looks good on camera, good performer, nice guy,

Kym Marsh, who has 25+ year career in live performance, says she is surprised. I think those who aren't deep into live performance need to onboarded to the show more carefully.

Kym has a good relationship with Graziano, and that’s fine

Zara clearly didn’t and that is why he left the show.

If dancers don’t have the temperament to encourage and support their novice partners then they shouldn’t be on a show that’s been running for 20 years.

Last year the relationship between Johannes and Annabel Croft was as lovely to see as Corrie Ellie’s improvement. Annabel was nowhere near Corrie Ellie’s level but Johannes did something wonderful with her.

Johannes really is wonderful. His personality is like a huge hug.

But Zara never complained about Graziano and since the show ended she has been a good Strictly girl and had followed its Big Happy Family! Friends for Life! model to the letter, featuring Graziano and his wife prominently in her public social media presence and apparently interacting very positively with them in private. Then Strictly pressed the red button on Graz and summoned her in to explain to her that she was now an abused victim, her consciousness raised by the firm but benevolent BBC and then hung out to dry for the trolls. She ended up in as much shit as 'troublemaker' Amanda. She was given and allowed no agency and had to make the best of it. She should have been brought in first and allowed to say what she wanted to happen. Plus, the BBC's action turned a manageable situation of one dysfunctional partnership into a full Toxic Strictly In Crisis headline and sent the media scampering to dig up other previous and new stories. Completely inept from a cold, PR point of view. Especially as Graziano has been gifted the 'Kafkaeque victim' mode of self-defence, with anonymous accusers, not being told the claims or shown the recordings - he is claiming this and it seems believable as it hasn't been denied and would be easily disprovable.

I see much is being made of there being no same sex coupling this year.

The DM is putting it down to the recent scandals making the BBC want to return to the show's "traditional roots", even though none of the recent scandals involved same sex couples.

Many right wing homophobes are gleefully declaring it the "end of woke". But I suspect it's just because the contestants are straight this year and hence want an opposite sex partner.

Yeah I don’t think there is much in it other than no gay or lesbian celebrities signing up.

The idea that there was an anti gay anti black backlash to Layton last year is ridiculous. If Strictly viewers didn’t like camp black gay men the Johannes wouldn’t be the favourite he is and done so well recently, including with John.

People didn’t warm to Layton because he is a professional performer with extensive dance training.

The BBC has apologised to Amanda Abbington and upheld some of her complaints against her 2023 Strictly dance partner Giovanni Pernice, but cleared him of the most serious allegations.

While complaints of verbal bullying and harassment were upheld, claims of physical aggression were not, BBC News understands.

The Sherlock actress had accused Pernice of being "unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean" during their rehearsals.

He previously strongly denied "any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour".

Talk about nobodies. I know like Dancing With the Stars mostly C or D listers do this but I’ve never heard of even one of these people!

Indeed, last year's cast was studded with interest, this year's is underwhelming. Hours of wasted time to waste otherwise this year.

Wait.. Michelle Visage! I’ve heard of one person!

Most Brits would have no idea about the DWTS contestants. We have our D-listers, your have yours.

[quote]Most Brits would have no idea about the DWTS contestants

Most Americans don't know the DWTS contestants...........nor care.

I've heard of a few US contestants on this series.

There's the female rugby player who was accused of being a tranny because she's so stacked, there's the geeky gymnast, there's the con woman who inspired the boring Netflix show and there's Tori "Trick" Spelling - did Tori get to the tap dance to Enter You? Oh and there's the creepy brother of Julia Roberts as well.

The current Strictly series looks completely open.

Tasha is very pretty and very experienced so unlikely to win even with the sob story element. Poor blind Chris will get the public vote until he ends in the dance off and goes.

Sarah and Vito have been the biggest surprise and make a great couple. She is going to keep improving and he is very popular.

This abuse scandal shit has gone too far. The internet is in meltdown over this shit.

I didn't notice the "grope" on the live show but saw the clip, shared by countless accounts, and Katya did look uncomfortable and it made me uncomfortable.

And I can understand her saying it's ok, it was a joke, because she wants to continue on the show and not see Wynne kicked off.

But of course the BBC's framing of the story is that BBC employee Wynne is "heartbroken" about it.

Chris and Dianne are clear favourites with the bookies to win. He's performing well above expectation and can improve more and the public will keep voting for him over the couples who are exceptional.

Vito in white trousers is just too much. The dance with Sarah tonight was amazing.

Not keen on the male vocal performing Get Here.

Is there some way of keeping the English and Northern Irish isolationists out of the DL?

What about the Welsh R77? Racist fucker.

Giovanni is being interviewed by Christine Lampard Bleakly this morning.

Christine's body language is incredible. She fucking hates Giovanni, hates him.

And Giovanni's body language in response - Christine reads out Laura Whitmore's statement and Giovanni throws himself back in the chair and starts brushing fluff off his suit jacket.

I think it's going to be ciao Italia for Gio for a while.

Not feeling Icons week so far. Is it trying to be Stars In Their Eyes?

Having "Freddie Mercury" and "George Michael" dancing with women? Oh honey just no.

Vito is looking disgustingly slutty tonight.

The BBC licence fee has become increasingly hard to defend in recent years but this justifies it.