Strictly Come Dancing has been hit with several internal crises in the past few years, but now a new scandal has erupted after claims that cocaine was taken on the show
Strictly Come Dancing has been hit with another major internal crisis over alleged cocaine use.
The BBC show has been rocked with several scandals over the past two years, ranging from bullying to abuse claims from former contestants. Several stars of the show have since been given the sack, including the likes of Graziano di Prima and Giovanni Pernice for their roles at the show.
Now, Strictly has been hit by another major scandal amid claims that two of the show’s beloved stars were caught taking cocaine. The Sun reported that a legal firm has been hired by the BBC to investigate the allegations.
The claims were reportedly made in a formal legal submission to the BBC by a law firm representing opera singer and GoCompare mascot Wynne Evans back in March. Law firm Russells were not the only people who raised the issue to BBC bosses, however, as the paper added that several other allegations of cocaine being taken were made to the broadcaster.
In an initial statement made on the matter, the BBC stated that “former contestants, dancers and crew” will be given the chance to give evidence as an inquiry into the allegations will be set up. A source close to the show admitted that the newest scandal for the once-revered programme is the last thing the BBC needs right now.
“These claims are extremely serious and should be taken as such, given only last year that the BBC’s Director-General promised to clean up Strictly, it seems particularly shocking,” the insider explained. “The idea of the show’s stars discussing drug-taking is deeply disturbing, the BBC have known about these allegations for some time, and acknowledged receiving them.”
The source added that both people involved in the case were clearly “off their face” on the narcotic substance. They then raised the incident with another famous face, telling the unnamed celebrity to “see their pupils”.
Another celebrity had also reportedly come forward to producers about the use of drugs on the show, adding that the amount of drugs was “talked about widely” amongst those taking part. The specific people at the centre of the allegations have not been publicly named.
This is the third successive year that Strictly Come Dancing has come under fire for its treatment of contestants on the show. Red flags were first raised in 2023, when Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington officially quit the show over claims of bullying and abuse by her partner Giovanni Pernice.
Following this, an internal probe was launched, with Giovanni voluntarily leaving the cast and not returning to the 2024 edition of the show. However, right before the beginning of the new series, Graziano di Prima was fired from the show after evidence of him kicking and spitting at partner Zara McDermott came to light.
In a statement to Daily Star, a spokesperson for the BBC said: “We have clear protocols and policies in place for dealing with any serious complaint raised with us. We would always encourage people to speak to us if they have concerns. It would not be appropriate for us to comment further.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
