Toyah Willcox has detailed the lengths the BBC have gone to in order to make Strictly Come Dancing rehearsals ‘feel safe’ following the last series’ bullying scandals.
The eighties pop star, 66, who is the oldest contestant competing in this year’s series, said training so far is ‘one of the happiest experiences of my life’ and it has been a ‘long time since she has felt this well looked after’.
As she prepares to take to the ballroom this weekend, Toyah revealed the stars now have a ‘psychologist with them all day’ while in the studio and the professional dancers are ‘all supportive and lovely’.
Writing on her The Official Toyah Willcox Website September blog, she said: ‘Over the past six weeks I have been filming VTs, doing great press, lots of photo shoots, I’ve even had bra fittings and meeting my fellow celebs who are all fantastic AND I have danced with all of the pro dancers, they are all supportive and lovely.
‘I feel safe with this team. We have a psychologist with us all day, an amazing celeb producer, stunning press team…….It’s a long time since I have felt this well looked after. Here in Strictly world they want us celebs to know they are here to support us 360 degrees.’
Toyah Willcox has detailed the lengths the BBC have gone to in order to make Strictly Come Dancing rehearsals ‘feel safe’ following the last series’ bullying scandals
The eighties pop star, 66, who is the oldest contestant competing in this year’s series, said training so far is ‘one of the happiest experiences of my life’ and it has been a ‘long time since she has felt this well looked after’
She continued: ‘We have been working together for almost a month now. All the pro dancers tell us to eat as much as we can. I can feel my weight going up, I don’t need a lot of food, my energy is in my genes.’
‘We have the most amazing people looking after us. Costumes/ hair/ make up/ talent support and psychologists who check in hourly.’
It comes after Toyah suggested a string of scandals that have engulfed Strictly are because the show is ‘committed to dance’.
When asked if recent ‘gross misconduct’ claims surrounding the programme had made her think twice about signing up, The It’s A Mystery singer said: ‘It made me take what’s come very seriously.
‘What’s happened in the last year is because this show is one hundred percent committed to dance.
‘And you have to go beyond your own personal comfort zone. And that’s always been very very obvious.
‘And I know for me what’s been going on this year, I have been thinking, well can I push myself beyond my own limitations.
‘And for me it’s now or never. Simple as that. That is what has made me commit to the show.’
The BBC’s flagship show has recently been thrown into turmoil amid allegations of ‘bullying’ and abuse by two of its professional dancers, Graziano Di Prima and Giovanni Pernice.
As she prepares to take to the ballroom this weekend, Toyah revealed the stars now have ‘psychologist with them all day’ while in the studio and the professional dancers are ‘all supportive and lovely’
She wrote: ‘I feel safe with this team. We have a psychologist with us all day, an amazing celeb producer, stunning press team…….It’s a long time since I have felt this well looked after’
The BBC’s flagship show has recently been thrown into turmoil amid allegations of ‘bullying’ and abuse by two of its professional dancers, Graziano Di Prima and Giovanni Pernice
Pernice’s partner Amanda Abbington, 50, has accused the Italian dancer of bullying her in rehearsals
Strictly Come Dancing will kick off it’s 20th series this Saturday night
Di Prima, 30, has admitted to kicking his partner Zara McDermott, 27, in training while Pernice’s partner Amanda Abbington, 50, has accused the Italian dancer of bullying her in rehearsals.
BBC bosses have announced new duty of care protocols for the show’s 20th edition.
The new measures include a production team member present during training room rehearsals and increased support for celebrity contestants and professional dancers.
A Celebrity Welfare Producer and a Professional Dancer Welfare Producer have been appointed to fulfil these duties.
Further training will also be delivered for the production team and crew.
The Strictly Come Dancing 2024 launch show will air on Saturday, September 14 at 19.20pm on BBC One & BBC iPlayer.
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 and it feels extra special that it’s the 20th year, I can’t believe I will be the one getting Strictly-fied.’
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.’
Shayne Ward
Age: 39
Profession: Actor and singer
Shayne says: ‘I’m no stranger to live TV, but dancing Latin and Ballroom in front of millions is a whole new level.’
Tom Dean
Age: 24
Profession: Olympic medal winning swimmer
Tom says: ‘Now I can officially talk about how excited I am to get stuck into something new, meet some brilliant people and get dancing’
Nick Knowles
Age: 61
Profession: TV presenter
Nick says: ‘I am going to really go for it I will throw myself at it 100 per cent!’
Montell Douglas
Age: 38
Profession: Former Team GB Olympian and current Gladiator
Montell says: ‘Hopefully a few of my Gladiator moves will come in handy with the Tango or Paso Doble!’
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 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.’
Sarah Hadland
Age: 53
Profession: Actress
Sarah says: ‘I feel particularly excited to be part of such an iconic show in its 20th year.’
Jamie Borthwick
Age: 30
Profession: EastEnders star
Jamie says: ‘I had a ball doing the Christmas special, so when I was asked to join it was the easiest yes!’
Sam Quek
Age: 35
Profession: Former GB hockey player and presenter
Sam says: ‘I am so relieved it is out there now it has been hard to keep a secret! The rumours were spreading and I had to lie! I am used to dancing on a girls night out but I will give it my all’
Paul Merson
Age: 56
Profession: Former footballer
Paul says: ‘I won’t worry about it until it starts but when it does I will be nervous – I have only danced three times in my life!’