A STRICTLY Come Dancing pro has been seen slapping his partner’s bum three times during recently resurfaced footage.
Its reappearance – after first being aired on spin-off show It Takes Two – comes as the BBC series is plunged into turmoil.
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Today the Strictly Come Dancing cast were all smiles as they arrived for rehearsals for the 2024 series – yet their grins came just moments after former show pro Janette Manrara, 40 – broke her silence on claims by her former celebrity partner Will Bayley.
She is alleged to have branded one of the sports ace’s jumps as “rubbish” before asking him to repeat the feat – sparking the Paralympian to suffer an injury which required surgery.
Now Aussie Brendan Cole, 48 – who starred in 15 Strictly series – has been seen tapping the derriere of former TV presenter Fiona Phillips, 63, in disturbing scenes.
The incident happened in rehearsals – with the worrying footage then broadcast for the nation to see in 2005.
He also appears to act aggressively towards her during the clip and branded her “pathetic” before seemingly laughing off his attitude.
This prompted the former GMTV presenter to say: “Stop shouting at me.”
She followed up with referring to the routine and said: “I don’t feel like doing it now you’ve said that.”
Previous behind the scenes footage of the pair also saw Fiona burst into tears as Brendan let rip.
The pair took part in the third series of the show, before exiting on week four.
Clearly irritated at their continual low scores, the clip captured Brendan furious at dress rehearsals as he swears and launches into a foul mouthed rant and tells cameras to “stop f*****g filming me.”
He then asked them to “get the cameras out of my face” and raged “don’t you know when to f**k off.”
Later on, Fiona was seen breaking down into tears as she rehearsed with Brendan.
She told the camera in a solo confessional that the professional was “looking at me like something he had stepped in.”
The Sun has gone to Brendan’s reps for comment.
Last week, we reported on equally shocking footage of another former show professional, James Jordan, which saw him calling his dance partner “fat.”
Giovanni Pernice Strictly scandal timeline
October 2023: Amanda abruptly withdraws from Strictly having already missed one live show. Her departure is announced in a vague BBC statement that ‘wishes her the best’.
Giovanni posts a short message on social media addressing the exit, which read: “Amanda… I am so sad we can’t continue but I am proud of what we achieved and I am sending you so much love.”
Amanda then shares her own farewell statement on Instagram thanking co-stars but failing to mention Gio.
Giovanni’s dad Piero insists there were no signs of a fall out and the pairing could have gone all the way. He praised his son as kind and polite.
November 2023: Giovanni is reportedly gutted by the situation and is considering his Strictly future as questions are raised about his conduct.
January 2024: Amanda’s PTSD diagnosis comes to light and she demands CCTV from rehearsals to prove that Giovanni’s training methods weren’t acceptable.
The BBC issues a statement defending its duty of care to contestants, insisting it takes any claims of wrongdoing very seriously.
The Corporation stands by its man after emergency meeting
March 2024: Giovanni publicly states he has no intention of leaving Strictly in a TV interview with close pal Anton du Beke.
Ranvir Singh and Laura Whitmore enter the picture. Allegedly the two celebs, who were both previously partnered with Giovanni on Strictly, didn’t feel the BBC took their issues with his methods seriously enough.
The pair have a closed meeting with Amanda where tears are said to be shed.
May 2024: We reveal Giovanni is leaving the programme after having talks with show bosses
He leaves the country with girlfriend Molly Brown on holiday
The BBC launches an internal investigation after three complainants instruct lawyers. A source describes it as a “nightmare situation”.
In the video clip he is seen raging at his co-star Georgina Bouzova as they argue in rehearsals back in 2006.
Meanwhile, his former Strictly co-star wife Ola hasn’t escaped unscathed either.
She has been accused of “bullying” and being “cold” towards former celebrity partner Steve Backshall.
Steve, 51, reportedly lodged a complaint with the BBC in 2014 about his show partner, 41, claiming he found the practice sessions gruelling.
He and Ola were then assigned a chaperone after he refused to be alone with the Polish dancer, MailOnline has reported.
The Sun has contacted Ola’s representatives for comment.
Meanwhile, the Strictly crisis deepens.
Italian professional Giovanni Pernice, 33, quit the BBC show earlier this year.
He is currently under investigation by the BBC over misconduct after complaints were filed by several of his former celebrity dance partners.
The same investigation also saw his fellow Italian professional Graziano Di Prima axed after allegations of “physical incidents” towards show partner Zara McDermott, 27.
Dancer-turned-judge Anton Du Beke has also been drawn into the “misconduct probe.”
It is centred on a historic row with former celebrity partner Laila Rouass, 53, and what has been dubbed his “1970s behaviour.”
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