ABBIE Quinnen has praised Zara McDermott as “brave” for speaking out about her Strictly experience after Graziano Di Prima was sacked.
Professional dancer Abbie, 27, said “kicking” anyone let alone your dance partner is unacceptable.
Abbie, who previously dated former Strictly dancer AJ Pritchard, said that it would be shame if the BBC dance competition was axed after backlash from viewers amid the scandal.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun, Abbie said: “I think it’s incredibly sad how it’s all come out, as a dancer myself the training is intense, it’s so hard.
“I was brought up brought up being shouted at by dancers but no one should ever hit their partner – but I know how intense it can be when they’re in a dance environment.”
The star went on to praise former Love Island star Zara, 27, for reliving her ordeal.
Abbie told us: “I think Zara’s incredible after everything she’s gone through and doing an amazing thing by talking about it and now dancers can have a say in their experience – I think she’s amazing.
“I do think it was brave for her to come out and for her to relive it again.
“But I think she’s a strong cookie and she’s been through a lot in the past. And she spoke about what she’s been through in the past, she’s super strong and can handle it.”
Strictly has been accused of becoming too competitive and has lost it’s sense of fun.
Discussing the controversy, Abbie said: “I think it’s changed so much now, especially in colleges they used to be so tough on you but now it’s all about welfare and mental health.
“So they’ve actually changed it a lot which is absolutely incredible.
“I do think the change of putting chaperones in Strictly is so so important because it protects everyone’s health and mental health and make sure everyone is in check basically.”
Abbie, who has a years of dance experience, said abusive training methods are never appropriate.
“As a teacher, I’m super bubbly and friendly and would never push anyone too hard,” she said at Batiste summer event.
“I’m more wanting to be their friend and encouraging them the whole time.
“I don’t think shouting at someone is going to really get through to them or make them any better.
If your their friendly and become a role model for them, I think it’s a really good thing to be positive and let them enjoy it.
Abbie has urged fans to stick by the show after they threatened to boycott, as Strictly faces its biggest crisis as more celebrities share horror stories from behind the scenes.
She said: “I think there is nothing better than Strictly, it makes everyone’s Christmas, I love watching the couples get better and better each week. I can’t imagine my Christmas without it.
“It would be a real shame if it was to end because what they achieve by the end of it is amazing.
“And what they go on to do afterwards, there are so many opportunities. I hope that it sticks around for a long time, all of the Strictly pros train all their lives to get there.”
She added: “I think it’s understandable that people don’t want to watch it because of what’s come out.
“But I will still watch it, it’s such an iconic show.
“There has been so many good things to come out of it. And obviously this has been really hard to hear – but it’s a great show.”
Meanwhile, viewers were claiming that Strictly’s glitter-filled bubble has “burst” after the full extent of Will Bayley’s shocking injury story was revealed.
The Paralympian, 36, exclusively opened up on the horror ordeal – which required him to undergo surgery – in an interview with The Sun this weekend.
Will starred in Strictly’s 2019 series alongside professional Janette Manrara, who now fronts spin-off show It Takes Two.
He told us how the Spanish mum-of-one blasted a jump in rehearsals as “rubbish” – yet when he leapt from the table again – he heard his leg crack and suffered “horrific pain.”
The table tennis ace said bosses made him feel like it was his fault, with his torn knee ligaments then forcing him to pull out of the series entirely.
After he added his complaint into Strictly’s investigation, citing a duty of care, he has now demanded an apology from the BBC.
Earlier this week, the BBC insisted it has “long-standing protocols for dealing with injuries and that includes contestants receiving all necessary treatment and support as required.”
Will’s ordeal adds to a host of complaints about Strictly Come Dancing professionals.
A video showing former show pro Brendan Cole slapping Fiona Phillips’ bum three times recently resurfaced.
We previously reported on equally shocking footage of another former show professional, James Jordan, which saw him calling his dance partner “fat.”
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.
Dancer-turned-judge Anton Du Beke has also been named in the “misconduct probe.”
It is centred on a historic row with his former celebrity partner Laila Rouass, 53, and what has been dubbed his “1970s behaviour” towards her.
