One of Strictly ‘s most beloved pros has given an update on this year’s series.
The BBC competition, traditionally watched by millions every Saturday night each autumn, has been embroiled in several scandals since last year. Since the end of last year’s show, the programme has been beset by issues including allegations of misconduct and bullying.
As a result, a number of high-profile celebrities have come out to reveal their own experiences of working with the professionals. This includes Amanda Abbington, Zara McDermott and Will Bayley, all of whom have alleged professional dancers have been abusive or acted with misconduct on their seasons.
READ MORE: Giovanni Pernice ‘expects to be cleared’ of misconduct as BBC probe nears end
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Despite the ongoing internal probe at the BBC currently taking place, one professional has said rehearsals are about to get underway. Nikita Kuzmin, who won the hearts of the nation through his pairing to Bad Education star Layton Williams, revealed rehearsals are set to start in just a matter of days.
(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Speaking to the Sun, Kuzmin said that he was getting prepared to head back into the rehearsal studio “in five day’s time”. The Celebrity Big Brother runner-up has just finished a run of performances at London’s Drury Lane Theatre together with Williams, with the pair becoming emotional as they performed for the last time officially.
It comes amid the ongoing drama surrounding a number of professional dancers, including Graziano di Prima, who was sacked by BBC bosses after video footage emerged of him, hitting, spitting at and kicking Zara McDermott. He apologised for his actions and returned to his native Italy, now working as a farm labourer for £6 an hour.
(Image: PA)
Similarly, Giovanni Pernice quit the show after allegations of bullying and abuse from Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington came to light. Pernice has strongly denied all claims being made against him and has instructed a top legal firm to defend him in all claims.
Amanda came out in an explosive interview with The Sun on Sunday that branded Giovanni “abusive, cruel and mean” in his training methods. “I couldn’t sit back and let him do that to other people,” she explained.
(Image: PA)
“I had to think long and hard about making a complaint because I knew the backlash I would get,” she went on to say. “But I would not have been able to live with myself for future people going on that show.”
However, Giovanni has said that he expects to have his name cleared after seeing the results of the inquiry conducted by the BBC. The claims against Giovanni were not included in the final dossier of evidence, which pals of the Italian pro have said is a boost to prove his innocence on the claims.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
