The BBC has said that the new series of Strictly Come Dancing will continue as normal despite one of its stars being arrested on suspicion of rape and non-consensual intimate image abuse
BBC bosses are adamant that the latest Strictly Come Dancing series will proceed without disruption, despite one of its personalities being detained on rape allegations.
The unnamed male individual, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, is also facing questioning over claims of “non-consensual intimate image abuse”.
The BBC confirmed to the Mirror that police enquiries are ongoing. However, corporation sources maintain the accusations don’t concern anyone involved in this year’s programme, meaning they’re confident the dancing competition, including rehearsals, can proceed uninterrupted.
This fresh Metropolitan Police probe comes after a BBC-initiated investigation into drug misuse allegations involving show personalities, reports the Mirror.
A Met spokesperson confirmed: “On Friday, August 22, officers arrested a man on suspicion of rape and non-consensual intimate image abuse.
“We urge anyone with any information to come forward to us. The arrest follows a third party allegation of sexual and drug-related offences.”
Specialist officers are providing support to the alleged victim.
This shocking turn of events represents one of the most serious scandals to hit the BBC since presenter Huw Edwards escaped imprisonment last year for possessing indecent images of children.
A BBC representative told the Mirror: “It would not be appropriate to comment on an ongoing police investigation.”
An insider at the broadcaster emphasised there’s no indication the allegation connects to the current Strictly production, with training already underway.
They concluded: “We think the new series will continue as normal.”
Strictly has been hit by a series of recent controversies. Last year, dancer Giovanni Pernice left the show after allegations of bullying his 2023 partner Amanda Abbington.
While some complaints against him were upheld, he was cleared of the most serious accusations. Dancer Graziano Di Prima was also dismissed following allegations of misconduct towards his partner Zara McDermott.
Additionally, opera singer Wynne Evans exited the show’s tour after being accused of making inappropriate comments.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
