Explosive BBC investigation uncovers ‘toxic culture’ at Strictly where staff faced ‘verbal abuse’-Pierra Willix-Entertainment – Metro

Former Strictly Come Dancing employees have spoken about the ‘toxic culture’ on set (Picture: PA)

A shocking BBC investigation into the atmosphere behind the scenes of Strictly Come Dancing has uncovered several stories of staff being made to ‘feel stupid’ and even being ‘screamed at’ by celebrity contestants.

The long-running BBC series is due to celebrate its 20th anniversary season later this year, however over the past few months it’s been caught up in scandal.

After concerns were raised about the treatment of contestants including Amanda Abbington and Zara McDermott, allegations were levelled against several professional dancers.

Sherlock actress Amanda, who quit Strictly last year after five weeks, described her former dance partner Giovanni Pernice’s behaviour as ‘unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean’, however he has denied the claims and said he ‘looks forward’ to clearing his name.

Meanwhile Graziano Di Prima shockingly quit the programme earlier last month over allegations he ‘kicked and hit’ Love Island star Zara.

More celebrities have since criticised their treatment while participating in the series.

One former runner said he was ‘shouted at and called stupid’ (Picture: SplashNews.com)

Staff members on the programme have now spoken to the national broadcaster about their treatment on the show, with some describing how ‘toxic’ the environment was too.

After joining the series when he was 18, former staff member Oscar said he was ‘shouted at and called stupid’.

‘It was bullying behaviour. I felt sick, and couldn’t sleep or eat,’ he told BBC News.

Reflecting on his ‘worst experience’, the runner said it was when one of the celebrity contestants ‘flew into a rage’ when he passed on simple instructions to them before a show.

‘He was shouting, and he was so close up in my face, I had to close my eyes as his spit flecks were hitting me,’ he recalled.

‘The fact it was in front of everyone made me feel awful and helpless. People were stopping in the corridor to catch a glimpse of what was happening.’

He also said many staff members ‘weren’t empowered to raise issues’ (Picture: PA)

Although the celebrity later apologised, Oscar said that incident was ‘the final straw’ and he quit soon after.

BBC News spoke to 15 current and former members of staff on the show about its culture behind the scenes, with all of them wishing to remain anonymous for fear of career repercussions.

Although some said they ‘have never seen any of what is being reported’, others said they witnessed bullying.

A former TV package editor, Jane, said it was ‘awful’ for celebrities who had ‘suffered’ while competing but that for the crew it was ‘a much bigger problem’.

Asked about whether he complained, Oscar said he avoided doing so due to concerns he wouldn’t be listened to.

‘Unless you were a production executive or one of the producer’s friends, you weren’t empowered to raise issues,’ he said.

The allegations came after Amanda Abbington spoke out about her experience on the series (Picture: PA)

Another former runner, Anika, said the work environment was ‘exhausting’ and described how ‘there was a lot of shouting backstage’.

She also said that one of the male dancers, who has since left the show, treated people in an ‘insane way’.

Anika said the way he spoke to women, including female dancers and junior staff, was ‘disgusting and chauvinistic’.

Other former runners said senior staff, including producers, would ‘lose their tempers’ at junior employees.

One went so far as to say the atmosphere on set was ‘all about the glitz and glamour and no care for those making the show’.

Responding to the allegations, a BBC Studios spokesperson said in a statement to Metro.co.uk they didn’t recognise the claims, nor would ‘hundreds of production personnel’ who have worked on the show over the past 20 years.

‘The welfare and safety of our crew on each series has always been, and remains, our utmost priority.

‘We do not recognise these anonymous claims nor will hundreds of production personnel who have worked with us through multiple series and across the two decades the show has been on air.’

They added: ‘Using our industry-leading initiative The Pledge on all our productions, including Strictly, we proactively encourage everyone on set to raise concerns of inappropriate behaviour via several avenues, including anonymously to an external third-party whistleblowing service independent of the BBC/BBC Studios. 

BBC Director General Tim Davie recently apologised to people whose experience on the show ‘wasn’t wholly positive’ (Picture: Oli Scarff/ AFP via Getty Images)

‘We act speedily when any issues are raised, and have thorough, effective, and longstanding processes to manage them and we’re sorry if anyone didn’t feel able to talk about their experience on-set at the time.’

Last month, BBC director general Tim Davie said there will inevitably be ‘competitiveness, hard work and the will to do well’ on the show, ‘but there are limits and the line should never be crossed’.

He added: ‘We will never tolerate unacceptable behaviour of any kind.’

The executive apologised to anyone who had an experience on Strictly ‘that hasn’t been wholly positive’, going on to say they were ‘in a position to deliver a very good season this year and that has been my focus’.

Strictly Come Dancing returns to the BBC later this year.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

Entertainment – MetroRead More