Watch the moment Strictly star was told to ‘shut up’ by judge – as he admitted to wanting to ‘break legs’ to leave show

Strictly’s rehearsal room antics are under close scrutiny following two major scandals – but there’s been fierce clashes live on air too.

Back in 2016 pop star Will Young realised a dream when he signed up for the BBC show.

However, it didn’t pan out the way he had hoped amid a secret struggle with his mental health that resulted in an early exit.

It was so bad that he previously revealed how he researched “the easiest way to break my legs” in a desperate attempt to exit the show.

While anxiety and depression were ultimately the reasons behind his shock departure from the series in week four, many felt at the time that harsh comments from the judges had played a part.

Will and late head judge Len Goodman famously traded words during a critical review of Will and Karen Hauer‘s salsa to Pussycat Dolls’ Jai Ho.

Len said he would have liked a bit “more of the salsa” and claimed that he only got “about 6 or 8 bars in the middle”.

When Will argued his case, Len shot back: “Turn up, keep up and shut up”.

Despite the criticism, Will went on to refer to Len as the “don of ballroom”.

Days later Will would withdraw – but Len maintained the timing was coincidental.

Len said in an interview with us: “It was unfortunate that he went the week I said to him he has to ‘turn up, keep up and shut up’.

“But it wasn’t said in a vicious way. I said there wasn’t enough content which really isn’t even a pop at him – it’s a pop at the choreographer.

“I did ask other people if it was because of that he packed it in and I’ve been assured it wasn’t.”

At the time there were rumours the Pop Idol winner had argued with dance partner Karen.

But Will explained the decision was due to illness.

He told Event magazine: “Mental illness is mental illness. I was unwell. In the weeks leading up to Strictly, all I could think about was how could I get out of doing the show.

“I knew I didn’t have the strength, that I wasn’t in the right place and that I would do myself real damage.

“I actually looked into the easiest way to break my legs so I couldn’t dance. That’s how bad it was.”

Will previously opened up on his experience with PTSD following childhood trauma and admitted to having a porn addiction.

He was forced to take a break from his music career when stress and anxiety took hold.

The award-winning actor, author and singer later revealed he visited a shaman – a spiritual healer – to help overcome his demons.

Eight years on from Will’s time on the show, Strictly is under scrutiny like never before.

Earlier this year the Beeb launched an investigation into ex-pro Giovanni Pernice‘s conduct in rehearsals following complaints by actress Amanda Abbington and three of the Italian’s former celebrity partners.

Gio decided to walk away from the show before it reached its conclusion though he is said to be confident his name will be cleared, despite Amanda insisting he was “cruel” and “horrible” to her.

As part of the same investigation, concerning allegations were made about pro Graziano Di Prima and his behaviour towards celeb partner Zara McDermott last year.

Distressing video footage is said to have shown him kicking and spitting at her in the training room. He issued a statement speaking of his “deep regret” and a spokesman for Graziano later admitted his client did kick Zara and had apologised.

He was sacked from the programme and fled to his home island of Sicily where he is now doing manual labour on a farm.