Former BBC star claims Strictly's watertight contract prohibits contestants bad-mouthing the show... as scandals surrounding three ex-pros deepens
A Former BBC star has claimed Strictly Come Dancing's watertight prohibits contestants bad-mouthing the show, making celebs fearful to speak out.
The BBC has been at the centre of a bullying row surrounding ex pros Giovanni Pernice, Graziano Di Prima and James Jordan's behaviour towards their previous dance partners during rehearsals.
Italian dancer Graziano, 30, was axed from the show last week over reports he verbally and physically abused his celebrity partner Zara McDermott, 27, during last year's series.
It came just weeks after Giovanni Pernice, 33, was suspended while a BBC probe is conducted over claims of off-camera misconduct made by Amanda Abbington, 50, and two other former celeb partners.
The BBC scandal was then rocked once again when shocking footage emerged of former professional dancer James - Ola's husband - telling his partner he would 'drag her across the floor and scream at her' if she forgot her moves.
A Former BBC star has claimed Strictly's watertight prohibits contestants bad-mouthing the show, making celebs fearful to speak out (Zara McDermott and Graziano Di Prima pictured)
The BBC has been at the centre of a bullying row surrounding ex pros Giovanni Pernice, Graziano Di Prima and James Jordan's behaviour towards previous dance partners
Former BBC journalist Fi Glover believes the contractual agreements silence celebrities from speaking out about the 'physical and verbal abuse' they endure.
Fi, 55, who is a presenter for Times Radio and worked at the BBC for 29 years, told The Sun: 'They sign a contract that means that they show Strictly in a very positive way.
'I think it’s been incredibly difficult for contestants to say things that we now realise they should have been able to say — which is that they were made to feel uncomfortable.
'And in these cases which are now emerging, there was really nasty physical and verbal abuse going on.'
MailOnline have contacted the BBC's Strictly for a comment.
The BBC show announced plans to introduce chaperones during training, and the appointment of two new welfare producers.
A statement from the corporation said: 'Concerns that have arisen in recent months have been fundamentally about training and rehearsals. The actions we announce today are designed to address that.'
The new measures include a member of the production team being present during training room rehearsals at all times, and increased support for both celebrity contestants and the professional dancers.
Italian dancer Graziano, 30, was axed from the show last week over reports he verbally and physically abused his celebrity partner Zara McDermott, 27, during last year's series
It came just weeks after Giovanni Pernice, 33, was suspended while a BBC probe is conducted over claims of off-camera misconduct made by Amanda Abbington, 50, and two other former celeb partners
The BBC scandal was then rocked once again when shocking footage emerged of former pro James telling his partner he would 'drag her across the floor and scream at her' if she forgot her moves
Former BBC journalist Fi Glover (pictured in 2018) believes the contractual agreements silence celebrities from speaking out about the 'physical and verbal abuse' they endure
Fi said: 'They sign a contract that means that they show Strictly in a very positive way. I think it’s been incredibly difficult for contestants to say things that we now realise they should have been able to say — which is that they were made to feel uncomfortable'
She added: 'And in these cases which are now emerging, there was really nasty physical and verbal abuse going on'
A Celebrity Welfare Producer and a Professional Dancer Welfare Producer will both be appointed to fulfil these added duties, and further training will also be delivered for the production team and crew.
Kate Phillips, BBC's Director of Unscripted, said: 'Whilst we know our shows have been positive experiences for the vast majority of those who have taken part, if issues are raised with us, or we're made aware of inappropriate behaviour, we will always take that seriously and act.
'Concerns that have arisen have been fundamentally related to training and rehearsals. The decisive steps we have taken and are announced today, act to further strengthen the welfare and support in place for everyone involved with this production.'
This came shortly before a clip of James resurfaced during the fourth series back in 2006, which shows him rehearsing with actress Georgina Bouzova.
He also says to her 'kill you' as he demands she stands on one leg and insists that unless she has physically broken a rib he doesn't care what pain she is in. He is also seen throwing a chair across the training studio.
Jordan, who left Strictly in 2012 after appearing on eight series, also banned Georgina from eating sweets and chocolate and would only allow her to buy pineapple and ham when they visited a supermarket together.
The video was shown on Strictly spin-off It Takes Two at the time with its then host Claudia Winkleman introducing it to viewers.
The video, which is being shared across social media platform TikTok opens with Jordan telling Georgina that he was a 'force to be reckoned with' before ordering her to 'move that f***ing foot.'
This came shortly before a clip of James resurfaced during the fourth series back in 2006, which shows him rehearsing with actress Georgina Bouzova
In the clip he also says to her 'kill you' as he demands she stands on one leg and insists that unless she has physically broken a rib he doesn't care what pain she is in
Former professional dancer James was paired with actress Georgina for the 2006 series of Strictly Come Dancing
Former Love Island star Zara broke her silence on the scandal surrounding her former partner Graziano's behaviour towards her.
She wrote on Instagram on last week that while much of her time on Strictly 'was everything I could have dreamt of' inside the training room with Graziano there were 'particular incidents which are incredibly distressing'.
'I felt it was right that I post something regarding the recent media reports,' Zara began. 'Strictly is one of the most magical shows on TV and one that I dreamt of being on since I was a little girl.'
'When I was invited to be a contestant on the show it really was a childhood dream come true. I fully understood the level of commitment and hard work that Strictly was going to be and I dedicated everything to it.'
'I am a resilient person and I was fully prepared to put in whatever it took.'
'And so much of my Strictly experience was everything I could have dreamt of. The entire production team and everyone behind the scenes as well as my fellow contestants were so amazing to worth with.
'However, my experience inside the training room was very different. Reports have been made about my treatment on the show and there were witnesses to some events, as well as videos of particular incidents which are incredible distressing to watch.
Zara explained that she didn't report the incidents at the time as she was 'scared' of backlash.
Former Love Island star Zara broke her silence on the scandal surrounding her former partner Graziano's behaviour towards her
Zara shared that while much of her time on Strictly 'was everything I could have dreamt of' inside the training room with Graziano there were 'particular incidents which are incredibly distressing'
MailOnline revealed that Strictly production staff raised concerns about Graziano's conduct last year, but bosses only went as far as to issue quiet warnings to him
Instead it was junior production staff who came forward to share what they had witnessed as the investigation into pro dancer Giovanni was taking place.
'I have wrested with the fear of opening up - I was scared about public backlash, I was scared about my future, I was scared of victim shaming,' Zara wrote on Instagram.
'But after a lot of conversations with those I love, I've gained the strength to face these fears, and when I was asked to speak to the BBC, I spoke candidly about my time on the show.
'The culture within our society makes it difficult for people to speak up especially in a a world where social media opinions and voices are so loud. This is something I've seen through working with countless women on my documentaries.
'I would like to thank the BBC and BBC Studios for their swift action and incredibly high level of support, as well as everyone who has reached out to me - it really truly means a lot. Love, always. Zara.'
It came following MailOnline's exclusive reports that the BBC has vowed to fight back after it was revealed that Graziano is taking legal action against the broadcaster.
Di Prima believes he should have been 'supported and helped' with his behaviour after bosses warned him about his treatment of former Love Island Zara.
But a BBC insider told the Mail: 'Why would any workplace, particularly one paid for by the public, offer support to someone who acted in an undoubtedly abhorrent manner?'
