Strictly Come Dancing has announced two celebrity recruits with links to dancers embroiled in the show’s bullying scandal – as more allegations emerged from production staff.
Reality TV regular Pete Wicks and deaf Love Islander Tasha Ghouri are among the latest stars to be unveiled for the forthcoming BBC series.
Their signings came as a surprise, given Pete’s close relationship with a complainant in the bullying investigation, and Tasha’s dating history with an axed professional.
It comes as an investigation by BBC News included a number of current and former Strictly crew members who alleged mistreatment.
Latest recruit Pete, 36, a star of The Only Way Is Essex, is a friend of Zara McDermott, who danced in last year’s series.
Strictly Come Dancing has announced two celebrity recruits with links to dancers embroiled in the show’s bullying scandal – as more allegations emerged from production staff
She made complaints about the show and her professional dancer Graziano Di Prima, 30, who was subsequently axed.
Zara said she performed on Strictly with a fractured leg following an injury in training, and needed painkillers to get through ten-hour rehearsal sessions.
Graziano was sacked after he admitted kicking her in training.
Joining Pete is Tasha, 25, who took part in Love Island in 2022. She used to date Strictly professional Giovanni Pernice, 33, who stepped down from the show following bullying allegations by Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington, 50.
Giovanni has continuously denied her claims of any ‘threatening and abusive behaviour’.
Strictly is facing further allegations of mistreatment from a number of crew members.
A former runner on the show told a BBC News investigation he was shouted at and called ‘stupid’ by a producer, and once had to deal with a celebrity contestant who screamed at him, getting so close to his face that he could feel spit.
‘The whole culture was toxic, particularly for junior staff’, the anonymous former crew member said.
Reality TV regular Pete Wicks and deaf Love Islander Tasha Ghouri are among the latest stars to be unveiled for the forthcoming BBC series
Latest recruit Pete, 36, a star of The Only Way Is Essex, is a friend of Zara McDermott, who danced in last year’s series (pictured with Zara’s boyfriend and Pete’s best pal Sam Thompson)
She made complaints about the show and her professional dancer Graziano Di Prima, 30, who was subsequently axed
Joining Pete is Tasha, 25, who took part in Love Island in 2022
She used to date Strictly professional Giovanni Pernice, 33, who stepped down from the show following bullying allegations by Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington, 50
‘It was bullying behaviour. I felt sick, and couldn’t sleep or eat.’
Another source told the investigation junior staff would say they’d experienced ‘verbal abuse’ from some of the dancers ‘to an extraordinary level’.
One former Strictly staffer revealed there was ‘a lot of shouting backstage’ and said she was warned about a male dancer who has since left.
She said: ‘The way he spoke to women, including female dancers and junior staff, was disgusting and chauvinistic.’
BBC Studios said it ‘does not recognise’ these new claims and ‘nor will hundreds of production personnel who worked with us across the two decades the show’s been on air.’
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 with my family and it feels extra special that it’s the 20th year, I can’t believe I will be the one getting Strictly-fied now.’
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. But anyone who knows me knows I love a challenge and trying new things, so I’m genuinely looking forward to getting stuck in.’
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 kind of a bit 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.’