Strictly Come Dancing appears to finally be emerging from a string of scandals that have engulfed the show in recent months, as the shortlist for the National Television Awards was revealed on Tuesday.
The upcoming 20th series was thrown into chaos when professional dancers Graziano Di Prima and Giovanni Pernice were accused of abusive behavior by celebrity partners, with a verdict on an investigation into the latter expected to be announced within days.
And while the claims sparked fears that the upcoming series would struggled to recover, it appears that Strictly is beginning to shake off the scandals, as it landed three NTA nominations.
The show has been nominated in the Talent Show category, while Claudia Winkleman is up for Best Presenter and judge Anton Du Beke has received an Expert nod, with the winners set to be announced during a live ceremony on September 11.
In the fallout of the scandal, the BBC has introduced a stringent set of new welfare policies to protect the stars, including the employment of chaperones during rehearsals.
Strictly Come Dancing appears to finally emerging from a string of scandals that have engulfed the show, as the shortlist for the National Television Awards was revealed on Tuesday
Professional dancers Graziano Di Prima and Giovanni Pernice (pictured) have both been accused of abusive behavior by celebrity partners during training
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, a 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.
In one interview, Amanda 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’.
Then, in July, it emerged that Graziano Di Prima had been sacked from Strictly for ‘kicking’ his partner, Love Island star Zara McDermott.
A Strictly source said: ‘Graziano’s abuse was ongoing, he kicked and hit her. There were multiple occasions where both physical and verbal attacks were made. It was more physical than verbal but all of it was dreadful.
‘There were occasions where he did some terrible things, it really was awful. What he did makes Giovanni look like a pussy cat.’
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’.
The show has been nominated in the Talent Show category, while Claudia Winkleman is up for Best Presenter and judge Anton Du Beke has received an Expert nod
This 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 Giovannie 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’.
Elsewhere, Michelle Keegan scored an impressive award show hat trick, after being nominated for three awards, including a Best Drama Performance nod for her record-breaking series Fool Me Once.
The Coronation Street actress fronted the Netflix adaptation of Harlan Coben’s mystery novel in January.
Michelle has received a nod for her performance as military wife Maya Stern – who is grieving her murdered husband when she spots him on a nanny cam in her home.
The series has also received a nomination in the New Drama category, while Brassic – in which Michelle plays Erin Croft – has been nominated for Best Comedy.
Fool Me Once became one of Netflix’s biggest ever hits with over 100million views – and kicked Michelle’s drama career into gear.
The soap star has been nominated for four NTAs previously, three for Coronation Street and one for BBC’s Our Girl.
Toby Jones also receives a nod in the drama performance category for his role as former subpostmaster Sir Alan Bates, one of more than 550 claimants who have brought legal action against the Post Office.
The ITV drama will face tough competition from Netflix hit Baby Reindeer, romantic drama One Day and Fool Me Once and Red Eye for the prize.
Meanwhile, Jones will go up against actress Jessica Gunning, who has also been nominated for the drama performance gong for her role as Martha Scott in dark comedy thriller Baby Reindeer, in which her character stalks comedian Donny Dunn after he offers her a free cup of tea in the pub where he works.
Elsewhere, Michelle Keegan scored an impressive award show hat trick, after being nominated for three awards, including a Best Drama Performance nod for Fool Me Once
Claudia Winkleman will have to overcome a tough challenge from the likes of Alison Hammond, Bradley Walsh, Stacey Solomon, and longtime winners Ant and Dec (pictured)
While Claudia Winkleman – whose other show The Traitors is nominated for Reality Competition – is listed in the TV presenter field, she will have to overcome a tough challenge from the likes of Alison Hammond, Bradley Walsh, Stacey Solomon, and longtime winners Ant and Dec.
The Geordie Duo have won the award 22 times now, and they’ll be chasing their record 23rd victory.
They could also claim a win with the Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award, as Saturday Night Takeaway is up against I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! – another of their shows – along with The Graham Norton Show, Michael McIntyre’s Big Show and The Masked Singer.
Joining BBC megahit The Traitors are The Apprentice, Celebrity Big Brother, Love Island and Race Across The World in the Reality Competition Category.
Elsewhere, in the Serial Drama Performance category, Coronation Street’s Peter Ash is nominated for his role as Paul Foreman, who has faced a devastating battle with Motor Neurone Disease.
He will be up against EastEnders’ Angela Wynter, Coronation Street’s David Neilson, EastEnders’ Diane Parish and Emmerdale star Eden Taylor-Draper.
Former England football captain David Beckham and pop star Robbie Williams are also shortlisted for NTAs in the Authored Documentary category for their Netflix docuseries, as well as actress Rose Ayling-Ellis for her documentary which explores attitudes to the deaf community, and comedian Rhod Gilbert, for his, which explores his cancer treatment.
The shows will go head-to-head with Kate Garraway, who has been nominated for a third time in the Authored Documentary category, for Derek’s Story, which followed the final year of her late husband’s life before he passed away in January.
The 2024 National Television Awards will take place on Wednesday, September 11th at London’s O2 Arena.