BBC Strictly’s biggest feuds — quitting halfway, off-air racial slur and ‘crying every day’

Strictly Come Dancing is back on TV screens and despite all the glitz and glam, the show has had its fair share of drama.

For this year’s line up of the BBC programme, the likes of Bobby Brazier, Angela Rippon and Ellie Leach have all been showing off their fancy footwork. And so far, there’s been no reports of any bitter feuds or backstage fall-outs – but it hasn’t always been that way.

Since its debut back in 2004, a ton of celebs have set foot on the dance floor to parade their best moves with sequins galore. However, it seems there is a less shiny side to show.

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Throughout the years, fans of the competition have also seen some rather bitter feuds play out – both backstage and on-camera. From “kicking” their partner in rehearsals, to one star “crying every day”, Daily Star is delving into some of the biggest spats and feuds to hit Strictly.

Laura Whitmore and Giovanni Pernice

In 2016, TV favourite Laura Whitmore appeared on Strictly and was partnered up with Giovanni Pernice. But apparently the two had a “toxic feud” when training.

After the show, Laura told the HuffPost she “cried every day” and was “broken physically and mentally.” She said; “I’m still not ready to talk in depth about my experience on the show.”

Referring to her time on Strictly, she discussed being paired with professional dance partner Giovanni. Laura also alluded to the press interest at the time, which stemmed from his recent break-up with Corrie actress Georgia May Foote.

“I love dancing – I topped the leaderboard twice – but before it even began, I was thrown into the lion’s den and into the middle of someone’s break-up that had nothing to do with me. Once again, I was a ‘rumoured love interest.

“I was placed with a dance partner I was extremely uncomfortable with – and in the end I felt broken. I cried every day. And I really was broken, both mentally and physically, by the end.”

Shirley Ballas and Brendan Cole

Fiery Brendan was not afraid to challenge the judges during his lengthy tenure as a Strictly professional. He mocked Shirley Ballas in her first week as head judge – the role he’d had his eye on.

Appearing on BBC2 show It Takes Two, when Zoe Ball asked if he was hoping to impress the newcomer, he sniped, “I’d imagine she’s more likely to be wanting to impress us, I’ve been on the show 15 years, she’s just showed up.” He quickly saw the “error of my ways” and fired off an apology – which he said went unanswered.

“I sent her a message saying, ‘Didn’t mean any offence, just making good telly’. I didn’t get a reply,” he said in John Bishop: In Conversation With.

However, Shirley – who routinely annoyed Brendan with her critiques of his last celebrity partner Charlotte Hawkins – told Hello! magazine: “I don’t have any recollection on a personal level of bridges ever being broken or rebuilt between me and Brendan.” Brendan was then dropped from the BBC show the following series.

Fern Britton and Artem Chigvintsev

Former This Morning anchor Fern Britton clashed with Artem Chigvintsev – who no longer stars on Strictly – back in 2012. The pair danced a sexy salsa with Fern donning a pink sequin dress, and reached week six of the competition.

Yet she revealed their frosty relationship in a candid chat – with the Russian pro refuting the claims. Back in 2015, she claimed Artem used to “kick” and “shove” her during rehearsals.

She told The Times: “He was like: ‘Shut your face. Go home before I kill you.’ I would say, ‘Oh please just kill me, it would be easier.’

“Or what was his other one? ‘If you go for a cup of tea now, I will blow off like an atomic bomb.’ I thought, well I won’t correct him on that one.” Artem denied the claims, insisting he treated Fern with “respect and genuine care.”

Laila Rouass and Anton Du Beke

Anton Du Beke is a firm favourite on the judging panel at the moment. But fans will recall how he was once a pro dancer.

However, back in 2009, he made headlines during the seventh series of Strictly. On the show he was partnered up with actor Laila Rouass and the pair made it through to week 12.

But Anton used a racial slur off-air to describe how Laila looked after she used fake tan. He later released a statement saying he used the term as “banter” and apologised.

Strictly presenter, the late Bruce Forsyth, also had to issue a statement: “To be absolutely clear, the use of racially offensive language is never either funny or acceptable.”

Will Young and Karen Hauer

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Pop star Will Young was partnered with Karen Hauer in the 2016 series. However, their stint was short-lived as Will mysteriously quit midway through.

His exit came after former judge Len Goodman told him to “turn up, keep up and shut up” in a row over his Bollywood routine. At the time, Will cited “personal reasons” for quitting. But there were many rumours that he and Karen “squabbled” in rehearsals.

She told The Radio Times in 2017: “I haven’t really been in touch with Will since the show. I think everybody understands his reasons and we all understand, but it’s hard when there’s the other half. It’s my job and I love my job and it was really hard for me to stay behind and see everybody have an amazing series and not to be a part of it.”

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk