Strictly star Nadiya Bychkova has revealed she doesn’t know if she’s secured a place on the BBC show.
The professional dancer, 34, said fans will need to wait for the official Strictly 2024 line-up announcement to know if she’s involved, after her co-star Giovanni Pernice quit.
In recent weeks, Giovanni, 33, has come under fire for his ‘militant’ training style, with the BBC forced to investigate ‘serious workplace misconduct claims’ after three of his celebrity partners sought legal help.
Amanda Abbington is one of the women named in the suit, while the likes of Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh have also been critical in their review of him.
And now, when Nadia was asked by The Sun whether she’ll return this year, she said: ‘I think you’ll have to wait and see the Strictly announcement.’
Strictly star Nadiya Bychkova has revealed she doesn’t know if she’s secured a place on the BBC show
The professional dancer, 34, said fans will need to wait for the official Strictly 2024 line-up announcement to know if she’s involved, after her co-star Giovanni Pernice (pictured) quit
In 2023, the professional line-up was confirmed by a statement from the BBC posted on April 21, meaning this year’s is coming later in the production team’s schedule.
Nadiya also hinted that producers are having to be extra careful when considering professional pairings.
When responding to a question about matching partners in terms of height she said: ‘Probably, yes, but that’s what producer’s do, and it’s probably the other way round.
‘They need to get the right one because obviously it’s the show for them and it’s important that celebrities are having the best time and they’re enjoying the experience and learning something new.’
MailOnline have contacted Nadiya’s representatives and BBC for comment.
Giovanni has been dealt a fresh blow after friend and former Strictly dance partner Rose Ayling-Ellis announced she would ‘not be getting involved’ while he fights ‘to clear his name’ amid a probe into his workplace conduct.
It was believed Giovanni was still on good terms with Rose, who he won Strictly Come Dancing with in 2021.
But now, it’s been claimed that Rose is ‘shocked’ by the allegations but ‘believes what the others are saying’.
A source told The Sun: ‘Rose is finding the whole situation really tough. She had a really great experience with Gio so is really shocked by it all.
In recent weeks, the professional dancer, 33, has come under fire for his ‘militant’ training style, with the BBC forced to investigate ‘serious workplace misconduct claims’
Giovanni’s former partner Rose Ayling-Ellis reportedly admits she believes what others are saying amid BBC probe into ‘abusive behaviour’ (pictured in 2021)
‘She of course believes what others are saying but she is just trying to not get involved. She won’t be speaking about it publicly.’
The news will no doubt come as a surprise to Giovanni, who had a positive relationship with the deaf contestant Rose, 29, whom he led to victory in 2021, with the pair going on to win a TV BAFTA for their silent dance routine .
MailOnline has contacted Rose’s representatives for comment.
The reports come as Giovanni could face more mounting trouble as ‘at least one or two more celebrities are considering legal action’ against him.
According to The Sun , several women who have danced with the 33-year-old Italian on BBC ‘s Strictly Come Dancing are contemplating joining the three existing claimants in a Beeb investigation for ‘serious workplace misconduct claims’.
A source disclosed that several former dance partners of Giovanni’s have been communicating privately and suggested that even more names could come forward.
The source went on to say that the future is unclear for the professional dancer, who vehemently denies any claims of threatening or abusive behaviour and has vowed to ‘clear his name.’
They revealed: ‘Numerous celebrities, all former partners of Gio’s, have been in contact with one another behind the scenes.
‘Three women that we know of have come forward, and taken things a step further with legal action.
Amanda Abbington (pictured) is one of the women named in the suit, while the likes of Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh have also been critical in their review of him
Giovanni has faced a wave of scrutiny ever since Amanda (pictured) dramatically quit last year
The professional dancer shared a post to Instagram detailing that he was ‘totally surprised’ by the allegations, which he denies
‘But Carter Ruck, the prestigious firm acting on behalf of these stars, have quietly been speaking to one or two other potential claimants. In other words, more names could come out of the woodwork.’
The fresh claims come after the professional dancer reportedly quit Strictly after the scrutiny became ‘too much’.
Off the back of Giovanni’s departure, friends close to Amanda spoke about how she found the pro dancer ‘abrasive’ and would have to have ‘crisis talks’ with show bosses every week after being left in floods of tears at his ‘tough’ training method with claims it left her ‘bruised ‘.
Amanda, who dramatically withdrew from last year’s competition and was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after the show, is said to have met with Laura and Ranvir, 46, earlier this year for an ’emotional summit’ to ‘compare notes’ about their time working with him.
Giovanni shared a post to Instagram detailing that he was ‘totally surprised’ by the allegations, which he denies.
He said in a statement: ‘You will be as surprised as I am that allegations have been made about my dance teaching methods in the media this week.
‘Of course, I reject any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour, and I look forward to clearing my name.
‘Those who have followed my journey on Strictly Come Dancing over the last decade will know that I am passionate and competitive. No-one is more ambitious for my dance partners than me.
In 2016, former Love Island host Laura Whitmore said she ‘cried every day’ and felt ‘uncomfortable’ while training with him
The Good Morning Britain presenter Ranvir Singh also complained about Giovanni to producers back in 2020, during their time on the show
Meanwhile his 2022 partner Richie Anderson has unfollowed him on Instagram
Former partners have also come out to back him, including Debbie McGee, the widow of the magician Paul Daniels, who was paired with him in 2017
‘I have always striven to help them be the very best dancers they can be. This has always come from a place of love and wanting to win – for me and my dance partners.
‘Thank you all once again for your continued love and support!’
Following his post, fans rushed to the comments to share their thoughts with the professional dancer as many of them confessed their love for him.
But while fans were quick to offer their support none of his Strictly co-stars have yet offered any comments on the post.
And none yet appear to have commented on what has happened or offered support on the statement he made.
One notably quiet Strictly star is head judge Shirley Ballas who previously came out in his defence.
In January she called him an ‘absolute gentleman’ amid his feud with his former partner on the series Amanda.
Speaking on Lorraine, Shirley said in response to the revelations: ‘I’ve known Giovanni for many years and he is an absolutely splendid teacher.
‘My only ever experience with him is he is an absolute gentlemen. He gives 100 percent.
‘Strictly and shows like that they are tough shows so you know when you sign up for that kind of thing. It’s quite difficult to do the show.’
Giovanni is currently on holiday with his girlfriend Molly Brown, 25, who recently shared a series of photos with the dancer, referring to him as her ‘best friend’
Good Morning Britain host Ranvir, who reportedly made a complaint against Giovanni to the BBC in 2020, admitted to feeling ‘scared’ of the Italian.
Meanwhile his 2022 partner Richie Anderson unfollowed him on Instagram.
Some former partners have also come out to back him, including Debbie McGee, the widow of the magician Paul Daniels, who was paired with him in 2017 .
Shortly after Amanda’s allegations, Debbie shared a beaming throwback picture of her and Giovanni taken backstage during their stint together. ‘Happy memories, Giovanni and I had the best of times on Strictly,’ she said in the caption.
Giovanni is currently in Portugal amid the furore.
He fled the country with girlfriend Molly Brown, 25, after reports emerged he would not appear in 20th anniversary series later this year.