Strictly’s bullying investigation delayed after Jermaine Jenas BBC sacking as channel goes from ‘one disaster to the next’

The BBC’S Strictly Come Dancing probe has been impacted by the scandal engulfing former presenter Jermaine Jenas, MailOnline understands.

The Corporation had been expected to announce the results of their probe into allegations made by Amanda Abbington this week.

The former Sherlock actress quit the programme and later lodged a series of complaints about dance partner Giovanni Pernice.

Now a source close to the investigation says the BBC are unlikely to make public their findings until next week at the very earliest.

It’s also now thought the probe could stretch into next month.

Jermaine is ‘ashamed’ and ‘deeply sorry’ after he was sacked from the channel this week for sending inappropriate texts to women

The insider said: ‘The BBC are caught in a perfect storm right now. It’s one disaster after the next.

‘They’ve had to deal with Huw Edwards and now the Jermaine Jenas scandal has come at them from almost out of nowhere.

‘They are acutely aware they need to announce the findings of the Strictly Come Dancing investigation and that all eyes are on them.

‘They know there will be a lot of scrutiny over whatever they decide to say, so they need to get the timing right and to ensure any questions people have about the investigation can be dealt with.’

The Strictly scandal erupted in January when actress Amanda Abbington accused her professional partner Giovanni Pernice of abuse after she unexpectedly quit the show just five weeks in.

Sherlock actress Amanda, 50, has made a series of accusations about Giovanni’s teaching methods and has described his behaviour as ‘unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean’. He strongly denies all of the claims.

Meanwhile Jermaine was sacked from the channel this week for sending inappropriate texts to women.

The presenter, 41, has said he is ‘ashamed’ and ‘deeply sorry’ – admitting to ‘frantically’ sexting a woman for 24 hours after she gave him her number at a work event.

The Corporation had been expected to announce the results of their probe into allegations made by Amanda Abbington this week however now the BBC are unlikely to make public their findings until next week at the very earliest

The insider said: ‘The BBC are caught in a perfect storm right now. It’s one disaster after the next. ‘They’ve had to deal with Huw Edwards and now the Jermaine Jenas scandal has come at them from almost out of nowhere’

In July the scandal deepened after it emerged that Graziano Di Prima had been sacked from Strictly for ‘kicking’ his partner, Love Island star Zara McDermott  

Referring to the two ongoing investigations, the source added: ‘The investigation is pretty much done and dusted now. There’s been a few final things to investigate, but they are almost wrapped up and a lot of work has been going on this week. 

‘But BBC top brass aren’t going to rushing into announcing anything until the timing is right.

‘It’s all likely to be very, very frustrating for Amanda and for Giovanni – who have both been waiting for a long time to see what the outcome will be.

‘They’ve both answered questions, handed over evidence and engaged with the investigators, who include two former MET cops, at each stage so they are understandably now wanting to see what the BBC have decided.

‘It also means the row is more likely to rumble into the start of the new series which is the last thing producers wanted. 

‘They want to try and draw a line under this and get back to the business of putting the show together. But the crisis surrounding Strictly is far from over.’

A Strictly source told MailOnline that the show’s investigation and Jermain’s sacking are ‘entirely unrelated and to suggest they are is incorrect’.  

Amanda has compared the dance show to ‘the trenches’ telling Channel 4 News that BBC producers had been left ‘horrified’ by clips that also allegedly exhibited ‘humiliating behaviour of a sexual nature’.

Furthermore, in July the scandal deepened after it emerged that Graziano Di Prima had been sacked from Strictly for ‘kicking’ his partner, Love Island star Zara McDermott.

The Strictly scandal erupted in January when actress Amanda Abbington accused her professional partner Giovanni Pernice of abuse after she unexpectedly quit the show just five weeks in, claims he has vehemently denied 

Neither Giovanni and Graziano will return for the show’s 20th anniversary series next month as rehearsals get well under way. 

Graziano has since claimed he does not know the full particulars of what he is supposed to have done.

The BBC will not give further details due to the ‘confidential nature of the circumstances’ in which the information was provided and their ‘obligations’ to ‘third parties’.

Last week it was reported that Amanda found BBC bosses line of questioning ‘highly offensive’ amid their misconduct probe. 

It was reported that the actress has been quizzed for a second time about an illicit video shared with her by Giovanni as well as a ‘lewd remark’ he made about another celebrity contestant when the video was sent. 

The dancer is also reported to have made a crude comment about a member of Amanda’s own family, only for her to ‘effectively be asked’ by BBC bosses whether the dancer meant the remark as light-hearted banter. 

A source told The Sun: ‘[Amanda] found this line of questioning highly offensive.’

In regards to the alleged video they told the publication: ‘The BBC can’t ignore the fact the video was sent. There seems to be a trail of evidence’.

‘Even if it is established the footage was shared with innocent intentions, the BBC are concerned this could constitute a breach of conduct according to the contract handed to the pro dancers.’

A BBC spokesman said: ‘As we have said before, we will not be commenting on individuals or engaging in speculation’.

STRICTLY LINE-UP 2024

Chris McCausland

Age: 46

Profession: Comedian

Chris says: ‘If anybody out there is thinking – How the hell is he going to do that? – then rest assured that I am thinking exactly the same thing.’

Dr. Punam Krishan 

 Age: Unknown

Profession: GP and broadcaster

Punam says: ‘I have watched Strictly every year and it feels extra special that it’s the 20th year, I can’t believe I will be the one getting Strictly-fied.’

Toyah Willcox  

Age: 66

Profession: Singer, actor, presenter

Toyah says: ‘I’m super excited and love this show. To be a part of it, the spray tan the glitter. Its a landmark year for me I came a pensioner, Glasto and now I get spray tans.’

 Pete Wicks

Age: 36

Profession: Reality star 

Pete says: ‘Dancing live in front of the nation every Saturday? Absolutely terrifying.’

 Shayne Ward

Age: 39

Profession: Actor and singer 

Shayne says: ‘I’m no stranger to live TV, but dancing Latin and Ballroom in front of millions is a whole new level.’

Tom Dean 

Age: 24

Profession: Olympic medal winning swimmer 

Tom says: ‘Now I can officially talk about how excited I am to get stuck into something new, meet some brilliant people and get dancing’

Nick Knowles

Age: 61

Profession: TV presenter 

Nick says: ‘I am going to really go for it I will throw myself at it 100 per cent!’

 JB Gill

 Age: 37

Profession: Singer

JB says: ‘A lot of the ballroom styles are very alien to me – I didn’t do those dances growing up. I am not a trained dancer.’

 Wynne Evans

Age: 52

Profession: Opera singer, presenter

 Wynne says: ‘The stuff I’m nervous about is the ones that involve jumping, I don’t really want to do the jive, I’m nervous about that.

 Tasha Ghouri

Age: 25

Profession: Model and reality star

Tasha says: ‘I’ve been watching the show since I was little – it’s a firm Ghouri family favourite – so this is a total dream come true.’ 

 Sarah Hadland

Age: 53

Profession: Actress

Sarah says: ‘I feel particularly excited to be part of such an iconic show in its 20th year.’  

Jamie Borthwick

Age: 30

Profession: EastEnders star  

Jamie says: ‘I had a ball doing the Christmas special, so when I was asked to join it was the easiest yes!’

Sam Quek

Age: 35 

Profession: Former GB hockey player and presenter

Sam says: ‘I am so relieved it is out there now it has been hard to keep a secret! The rumours were spreading and I had to lie! I am used to dancing on a girls night out but I will give it my all’

Paul Merson

Age: 56

Profession: Former footballer

Paul says: ‘I won’t worry about it until it starts but when it does I will be nervous – I have only danced three times in my life!’