STRICTLY’S stars arrived to start training for the new series yesterday — as BBC chiefs consider a cull of long-serving dancers after alleged abusive behaviour on the show.
Up to five professionals could face the axe next year in the wake of the scandal surrounding Giovanni Pernice and Graziano di Prima.
Execs believe the misconduct being alleged could be fuelled by popular, veteran stars feeling they are “entitled and untouchable.”
Giovanni, 33, was on the BBC One show for nine years and Graziano, 30, for five.
Other pros have been there for longer.
A TV insider said yesterday: “There isn’t much they can do to change the line up for this year’s crisis-hit show, but the feeling is that Strictly needs to make a fresh start in 2025.
“There’s the fear that being on the show leaves them more open to feeling entitled and untouchable.
“So for many of the pros turning up for rehearsals this week, it may be their last time.
“It’s not a done deal, and it’s not just going to be a case of the oldest or longest-serving being shown the door. It would be a carefully considered process, with other factors taken into account too.
“The fact that the BBC are even considering making big changes and bringing in fresh blood is a sign of how keen they are to move on and make every effort to ensure nothing like this happens again.
“That could mean saying goodbye to some of the best-known pros — both male and female — but when it comes to Strictly, nobody is ever bigger than the show.”
The BBC has already pledged to replace Graziano — sacked after it emerged he had kicked celeb partner Zara McDermott in rehearsals — with a newcomer rather than a former veteran.
And although former Strictly star Aljaž Škorjanec, 34, replaces Gio this series, the Beeb has yet to say if the swap is permanent.
It all hangs on whether allegations of bullying made against him by celeb partner Amanda Abbington, 50, are shown to be true.
Giovanni has denied all claims. But if he does not return he could also be replaced by a newcomer.
Strictly chiefs expect at least one pro to quit every two years and they have the power to leave others without a dance partner, effectively sidelining them.
Filming for the 22nd series starts on August 21, with the live launch on September 4.
Yesterday the dancers posed for a pic on Instagram captioned: “Day one of 2024 rehearsals done! We can’t wait to share our new pro routines with everyone soon.”
The longest-serving pro is Karen Hauer, who first appeared in 2012, and at 42 is also the oldest. Neil Jones is two weeks younger.
He joined Strictly in 2016 along with Gorka Marquez, 33, and Katya Jones, 35.
Together with Giovanni and Nadiya Bychkova, 34, who signed up in 2017, they are all considered veterans.
Last week the scandal engulfed hoofer-turned-judge Anton du Beke, 58, who used a racial slur to refer to one-time celebrity partner Laila Rouass in 2009.
The Beeb has constantly rotated members of the judging panel over the show’s 20-year history, with only Craig Revel Horwood, 59, remaining of the original line-up.
Despite many Strictly pros facing an uncertain future, Giovanni has boldly reassured fans: “I’ll be back, don’t you worry.” He spoke out as his nationwide tour with Anton reached Salford on Sunday night.
I found Giovanni’s behaviour unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean. I couldn’t sit back and let him do that to other people
Amanda Abbingdon
And although he did not name anyone specifically, Giovanni added: “Let’s see what this mad woman has got to say next.”
His confident claim came on the same day Sherlock actress Amanda spoke to The Sun on Sunday about her time with the Italian pro and how it left her with PTSD.
She revealed: “I found Giovanni’s behaviour unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean. I couldn’t sit back and let him do that to other people. I had to think long and hard about making a complaint because I knew the backlash I would get.
“But I would not have been able to live with myself for future people going on that show. I know what happened in that room, it’s on video and I have no problem with anyone seeing that. It’s a duty of care that is needed.
“Rehearsal rooms should be a safe space, there is a duty of care and kindness and that courtesy wasn’t extended to me on this job.”
Although the current crisis was sparked by claims about alleged male bullying, the spotlight has shifted over the past week.
Reports have emerged that a female pro screamed in the face of a male celeb when he could not get the steps to a dance right.
They would row every day and it left him struggling to sleep and feeling isolated in the process.
Rehearsal rooms should be a safe space, there is a duty of care and kindness and that courtesy wasn’t extended to me on this job
Amanda Abbingdon
After he left the show he said there was no duty of care.
It has also emerged that in 2014 naturalist Steve Backshall, 51, made a complaint when partnered with Polish pro Ola Jordan.
He said he found practice sessions difficult to endure, and the BBC appointed a chaperone to sessions.
A source close to Steve said Ola, 41, was “cold and distant” and “rude and impatient.”
A spokesman for the BBC declined to comment.
