Amidst accusations of concerning and bullying behavior towards their female dance partners, Graziano Di Prima and Giovanni Pernice, two renowned professionals on the hit U.K. reality show, have come under fire. In response to complaints about the conduct of these former dance mavens, the BBC has confirmed that a chaperone will oversee every rehearsal session of the beloved celebrity dance competition, Strictly Come Dancing.
This year's series will notably be devoid of fan favorites Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima, as the BBC introduces a series of enhanced measures, including two dedicated welfare producers, to ensure a safe and respectful environment on the set.
The addition of these new roles follows an emotional Instagram post from Zara McDermott, a former contestant who was paired with Di Prima in last year's series. She described reliving her time on the show through videos as "utterly distressing." McDermott confessed, "I've battled with the fear of speaking out. I feared public backlash, my future, and the stigma of being a victim. But with the support of my loved ones, I found the courage to confront these fears and candidly shared my experience with the BBC."
Following allegations of "gross misconduct" towards one of his female partners, believed to be McDermott, Di Prima bid farewell to the show. The 30-year-old Italian apologized profusely and expressed deep regret for his actions, acknowledging that his intense drive for victory might have clouded his training methods.
This turn of events also coincides with the departure of Pernice in June, who was dismissed after his partner, Amanda Abbington from the show Sherlock, accused him of inappropriate and bullying behavior and lodged a complaint against him with the BBC.
The BBC issued a statement on Tuesday, emphasizing, "The concerns that have surfaced in recent months primarily pertain to training and rehearsal sessions. The measures we're announcing today aim to address these issues." Alongside the introduction of a chaperone during rehearsals, the new measures include the appointment of a celebrity welfare producer and a professional dancer welfare producer, coupled with additional training for the production team and crew.
Kate Phillips, the BBC's Director of Unscripted Content, vowed, "While we are aware that our shows have been overwhelmingly positive experiences for the majority of participants, if any issues are raised or we become aware of inappropriate behavior, we will always take them seriously and act accordingly." Strictly Come Dancing, a stalwart of British television, has been a part of the BBC's annual lineup since 2004, and its 22nd season is set to kick off this year.
