Strictly Come Dancing could be ‘picked apart to death’ if criticism of the BBC show continues, its co-creator has warned.
Karen Smith issued the warning as the long-running dance contest series returned for its 20th anniversary last night following a wave of controversy in recent months.
The hit BBC show has come under fire over the alleged treatment of celebrity contestants from previous series – which has led to chaperones being introduced at all times during rehearsals.
The Corporation has launched an investigation into allegations made about Giovanni Pernice by 2023 Strictly participant Amanda Abbington, but is yet to release its findings.
Speaking ahead of Strictly’s launch show last night, co-creator Karen Smith told BBC News: ‘Strictly is the best of what the BBC does and people value it, and they look forward to it, and they schedule their weekend around it, and they care.’
Ms Smith said it was ‘terrible’ to think of how the production, celebrities and dancers felt but added: ‘It would be a shame if it was picked apart to death and was allowed to die.
Strictly Come Dancing returned for its 20th series with the launch show on Saturday night
Amanda Abbington made allegations against dance partner Giovanni Pernice (pictured together)
Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice were paired together for last year’s series
‘Because journalists, if you keep picking and you keep criticising, you could end up killing the show that you spend weeks and months of the year talking about. So, be careful.’
Abbington claimed Pernice acted in an ‘abusive, cruel and mean way’ during training – something the ex-Strictly professional called ‘simply false’.
He rejects ‘any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour’.
The BBC’s investigation will not be released until after the new season has got up and running.
Strictly was hit with a fresh wave of scandal when Graziano Di Prima left the show in July for ‘kicking’ his partner, Love Island star Zara McDermott.
He admitted to kicking her in ‘an isolated incident’ which he ‘deeply regrets and apologised for at the time’.
As 15 new celebrity couples took to the dancefloor last night, hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly dodged any reference to the controversies.
The new series has also been marked by the welcomed return of pro dancer Amy Dowden – who was twice diagnosed with cancer last year.
While BBC sources have insisted there is no deliberate delay to the report into Pernice’s alleged behaviour, executives may be hoping the new series will distract from the eventual findings.
Ms Smith, who is also the executive producer for Strictly, hopes that the show will be able to ‘recover and move forward’ following the scandals.
Giovanni has vehemently denied Amanda’s claims that the dancer bullied her and she suffered with PTSD after leaving the competition
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 (pictured together)
She told BBC News: ‘I’m not going to say that once the show is on air, everyone will forget about it.
‘But hopefully people can recover and move forward and learn from it, and remember that Strictly is fabulous, and people love it, people love taking part in it, they love watching it.’
She stressed that it was the ‘familiarity’ of the show’s format that kept audiences returning, explaining:
‘The hosts might change or the judges might change, the celebrities are new, but Strictly is always the same.
‘People look forward to the series coming back.’
Although Strictly has faced controversy in recent months, it was awarded Best Talent Show by the public at this week’s National Television Awards.
The BBC has insisted it would take any issues seriously and act when made aware of inappropriate behaviour.
Pernice, who has since signed up as a dancer on the Italian version of the show has said he is ‘looking forward to the conclusion of the investigation and ultimately clearing my name and establishing the truth’.