Melanie Sykes launches foul-mouthed rant at ‘deluded’ BBC bosses as she claims they have ‘zero respect’ amid Strictly’s misconduct probe

Melanie Sykes launched a foul-mouthed rant at BBC bosses in a debate on Russel Quirk’s TalkTV show, amid Strictly Come Dancing’s misconduct probe.

The TV presenter, 53, branded the people in power ‘deluded’ and claimed they have ‘zero respect’ while discussing whether the BBC should be defunded.

Melanie accused show bosses of branding the audience ‘the great unwashed’ as she waded into the Strictly scandal in an explosive chat.

She said: ‘I’ve heard people in power at the BBC talk about the audience as the great unwashed. That’s how much they respect you – which is zero.

‘If they think they’re making fantastic television they’re deluded.

A female Strictly dancer could be next to face allegations of abuse, following last week’s revelation that Graziano Di Prima kicked his partner Zara McDermott

‘And remember they do their own programmes to big themselves up to give themselves awards for what they do as well.

‘So it’s patting their own back and generating the money. They’re happy but you are left feeling like you’ve been entertained – are you f***ing kidding me?’

MailOnline have contacted the BBC for a comment. 

A female Strictly dancer could be next to face allegations of abuse, following last week’s revelation that Graziano Di Prima was dismissed over a video showing him kicking his partner Zara McDermott.

According to The Mirror, the household name would ‘scream in rage’ at the male celebrity if he got the steps wrong.

Although the complaint is expected to be emailed to the legal firm Carter Ruck by Sunday – it is not believed to include any allegations of physical abuse, but reportedly criticises senior BBC staff for their lack of support both during and after his time on the show.

A source said: ‘The man in question felt very much victimised by the behaviour of his Strictly partner.

‘He alleges that on several occasions she flew into a real fury when he couldn’t get the steps right, and on one occasion screamed full in his face. They rowed every single day.

The TV presenter branded the people in power ‘deluded’ and claimed they have ‘zero respect’ while discussing whether the BBC should be defunded

Melanie accused show bosses of branding the audience ‘the great unwashed’ as she waded into the Strictly scandal in an explosive chat

Amanda Abbington, 50, claimed she suffered PTSD after training with pro dancer Giovanni Pernice last year (pictured in October)

Amanda abruptly left the BBC show citing ‘personal issues’ and hasn’t been seen on screen since, even quitting social media last month in the wake of her former dance partner’s sacking

Fellow Italian dancer Graziano Di Prima was sacked from the programme last week after he was accused of kicking and spitting at former Love Island star Zara McDermott

Zara wrote that while much of her time on Strictly ‘was everything I could have dreamt of’ inside the training room there were ‘particular incidents which are incredibly distressing’ 

‘He was left upset, struggling to sleep, and feeling isolated in the process. But even worse, he felt totally unsupported by Strictly. When he suffered the setback, it was clear he was struggling, but he felt there was no duty of care. After leaving the show, he was not contacted again, even by phone.’

The source added that he had been in a bad state and feared public backlash if he spoke out. 

However, it is thought the partnership wasn’t entirely negative and the pair did ‘get along at times’ despite there being ‘challenging moments’.

The revelations come after Giovanni Pernice, 33, was the first professional to be suspended by the BBC.

A probe is underway over ‘bullying’ allegations from at least three former contestants, including Amanda Abbington, 50, who claimed she suffered PTSD after training with the pro last year.

Sources previously claimed Amanda, Ranvir Singh and Laura Whitmore had an ’emotional summit’ where they ‘compared notes’ about their time working with Giovanni on the show.

Amanda quit the show due to ‘personal reasons’ before reports she had demanded footage of their rehearsals after being ‘bruised’ when ‘Giovanni stepped on her foot during practice’.

Meanwhile Ranvir complained about Giovanni to producers back in 2020, during their time on the show, while Laura said she ‘cried every day’ and felt ‘uncomfortable’ while dancing with him in 2016. Giovanni denies all the claims against him. 

The professional dancer, 30, has since apologised for his behaviour in a statement, admitting to having kicked her (pictured on show)

Comments about Graziano’s tough rules have resurfaced, with Zara previously revealing he only allowed her to wear men’s dance shoes, leaving her with ‘open wounds’ on her feet

Graziano’s spokesman said he apologised to Zara for kicking her at the time , but denied claims he ever spat at her 

The BBC are currently believed to be scouring through nine years of Strictly footage to confirm or deny claims from the three celebrities.

Last week, another professional dancer Graziano Di Prima was sacked over a video in which he was seen kicking partner Zara McDermott. He apologised to Zara at the time, and admitted he ‘crossed the line’.

Admitting that while he ‘remembers pushing [Zara] quite hard’ during training, Graziano’s spokesman claimed the descriptions reported ‘do not align’ with Graziano’s own memory. 

Going on to claim that the Italian star – who has since moved back to his native Sicily – has been left in a ‘very vulnerable state’ in the fallout from the scandal. 

His representative, Mark Borkowski, said: ‘This week the news agenda has focused on an isolated incident that Mr Di Prima deeply regrets and apologised for at the time. 

‘The deluge of commentary, too often without context or nuance, has provoked a pile-on that has left a young man in a very vulnerable state’.

According to show insiders, video footage of Graziano mistreating Zara gave bosses no choice but to cancel his contract. 

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.

Additionally, it was uncovered that dancer-turned-judge Anton DuBeke had been drawn into the controversy after ex-partner Laila Rouass complained about his language used in 2009, for which he later apologised

‘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.’

Additionally, it was uncovered that dancer-turned-judge Anton DuBeke had been drawn into the controversy after ex-partner Laila Rouass complained about his language used in 2009, for which he later apologised.