Judge Rinder says Strictly's professional dancers are more focused on winning than 'the journey' with their partners as abuse claims engulf the BBC show
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Judge Rinder has become the latest celebrity to weigh in on the Strictly Come Dancing controversy, by suggesting winning has become 'more important' for the show's professionals than the 'journey'.
The barrister and TV star, 46, said the competitive nature of ballroom dancers may 'interfere' with the 'emotional complexion of the space'.
And as former contestant himself, he went onto admit he had a 'totally different experience' to his female counterparts when he appeared on the show in 2016.
His comments came after professional Graziano Di Prima, 30, was axed from the show following claims he allegedly hit and spat at his dancing partner Zara McDermott, 27, during rehearsals.
Weeks before this, 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
Judge Rinder has become the latest celebrity to weigh in on the Strictly Come Dancing controversy, suggesting winning has become 'more important' for the show's professionals
As a former contestant himself, he went on to admit he had a 'totally different experience' to his female counterparts when appearing on the show in 2016
Speaking on the Off Air podcast, Rinder said at the 'beginning of the show', it was about the 'spirit and the heart'.
He continued: '[It was] about journey, about taking somebody from being an amateur who's a bit rubbish and seeing how they got better.
'And you know, I do wonder as the spotlight has got brighter and especially with the presence and prevalence of social media, whether, you know, the challenges and stresses about winning have become slightly more important.'
Reflecting, he continued: 'And who knows, you know, perhaps there's never an excuse, but that perhaps when in a competitive environment where a lot of the ballroom teachers are competitive people themselves, the extent to which that interferes with the sort of emotional complexion of the space, who knows?'
The TV personality, whose real name is Robert Rinder, competed in the fourteenth series of the BBC show in 2016 and was paired with Oksana Platero, 38.
Speaking of the current drama, he said: 'It certainly seems like it's in the crosshairs at the moment.
'And, you know, I've got to be very careful because it's a subject of an ongoing investigation. And I'm always mindful about that.
'We have to be very careful about coming to court of public opinion conclusions when we know so little about the detail.
The TV personality, whose real name is Robert Rinder, competed in the fourteenth series of the BBC show in 2016 and was paired with Oksana Platero, 38
'And that's especially important when it comes to people who are, you know, making courageous choices perhaps to come forward and also applying my mind to the fairness of those who have been accused.'
He stressed: 'It's very, very important that we think about court trials and the current, well, difficult conversation that's happening around Strictly.
'All I can talk about is my own experience, because that's all I know of. And in 2016, I had a blooming great old time.'
Robert, who was eliminated in week 11, said his co-stars 'genuinely bonded' on the show but admitted women have a different experience.
He said: 'It was a big epiphany moment, a silly one, perhaps, thinking about it because it would be so patently obvious to my goddaughters and all the women in my family.
'But it was a day when I was in a car with Laura Whitmore and we were going from the studio up to It Takes Two and there I am, you know, wearing my pyjama bottoms to practice in, you know, going 'Oh I'm so delighted, my whole life, all I've ever wanted to do is get to Blackpool'.'
He said that he didn't have social media at this time, adding: 'Nobody commented on what I was wearing.
'Nobody speculated on whether or not I might be having an illicit affair with Oksana.'
Graziano Di Prima, 30, was axed from the upcoming series over reports he verbally and physically abused his celebrity partner Zara McDermott, 27, during last year's competition
The scandal came on the heels of Amanda Abbington's allegations that Giovanni Pernice bullied her during rehearsals. He vehemently denies the claims
'I mean, the only person that would be thrilled about that would be my grandma, but obviously to the public, it would be surprising to say the very least.'
Robert added: 'But there I was in a car listening to Laura, and she was having a totally different experience, right? Because everything she wore was being evaluated.
'The level of speculation if you're a woman about perhaps you're having an affair with your partner, how women are described and sexualised in that context. And that's something which I had to understand.
'It is undoubtedly the case that in that world, men and women often have a different time perhaps on the program.'
Graziano's shock departure from the show was confirmed when Strictly bosses announced he would not be taking part in the upcoming series following his altercation with Zara, his 2023 series partner.
He's been accused of 'spitting and hitting' the former Love Island star during training sessions.
The investigation into his behaviour was triggered by Strictly's bid to clean up the show after fellow Italian Giovanni Pernice was accused of abusive behaviour by his 2023 dance partner Amanda Abbington, which resulted in him leaving the show. Giovanni denies the claims.
According to show insiders, video footage of Graziano mistreating Zara gave bosses no choice but to cancel his contract.
Graziano's shock departure from the show was confirmed when Strictly bosses announced he would not be taking part in the upcoming series following his altercation with Zara
After it was revealed Graziano had been sacked from the BBC he took to Instagram on the same day to write: ' I deeply regret the events that led to my departure from Strictly'
Zara broke her silence on Tuesday, admitting she was scared to come forward and report Graziano over fears for her 'future'
Addressing his departure on Instagram, Graziano wrote: 'I deeply regret the events that led to my departure from Strictly. My intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime.
'Respecting the BBC HR process, I understand it's best for the show that I step away.'
He continued: 'While there are aspects of this story involving external influences that I can't discuss at this time, I remain committed to being strong for my family and friends.
'I wish the Strictly family and the BBC nothing but success in the future.'
He concluded the post: 'I also want to thank everyone who has supported my career, both professionally and personally. When the time is right, I will share my story.'
Zara broke her silence on Tuesday, admitting she was scared to come forward and report Graziano over fears for her 'future'.
Also writing on Instagram, she said: 'I felt it was right that I post something regarding the recent media reports. 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 work 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 incredibly distressing to watch.'
Zara explained that she didn't report the incidents at the time as she was 'scared' of backlash.
Instead it was junior production staff who came forward to share what they had witnessed as the investigation into pro dancer Giovanni Pernice was taking place.
Graziano, who was due to compete in his seventh series of Strictly before his sacking, is taking legal action against the BBC, MailOnline revealed on Monday.
The BBC has vowed to fight back after it was revealed that Strictly Come Dancing star Graziano Di Prima is taking legal action against the broadcaster.
The Sicilian dancer believes he should have been 'supported and helped' with his behaviour after bosses warned him about his treatment of former Love Island star Zara.
But a BBC insider told the Mail that the broadcaster will fight back, explaining: 'Why would any workplace, particularly one paid for by the public, offer support to someone who acted in an undoubtedly abhorrent manner?'
