BBC Strictly scandal: Tim Davie breaks silence on Strictly Come Dancing misconduct saga as he issues apology
Tim Davie has broken his silence on the Strictly saga
PA/BBC
BBC director-general Tim Davie has issued an urgent apology in response to the allegations against Strictly Come Dancing.
In recent weeks and months, complaints from former celebrity contestants have emerged and resulted in the exits of pro dancers Graziano Di Prima and Graziano Pernice.
On the same day the Beeb published its annual report and accounts, Davie decided to address the scandals engulfing the show ahead of its 20th-anniversary series.
He told members of the press: "I'm very sorry that anyone has had an experience on Strictly that hasn't been wholly positive.
"I think that is something that we do reflect on, and I'm sorry about that. I think that there are clearly learnings, specifically, with regard to oversight in the training rooms that we have needed to address.
"And with the benefit of hindsight, you always look at these things and say, 'Could we have done more?' Of course, you could.
Strictly Come Dancing's Graziano Di Prima was axed following claims he kicked his dance partner Zara McDermott
PA"But the key here is you address the situation. And as I say, I won't go into repetition. But the measures we've taken, I believe, are an appropriate and fair response to what we know now in terms of making sure that (in) the training rooms, we have the right oversight, and that people have a positive experience coming through the show.
"I do believe overall, the hundreds of people have come through this show and had a positive experience.
"It is not right to characterise it that we haven't had a significant duty of care provision in the show.
"Having said that, there's clearly some learning here and I think the team have acted to address that. If we get any fresh information, we act fairly and proportionately, and address it."
Davie made the comments at a news briefing following the release of the broadcaster's annual report in which, among other things, Gary Lineker was unveiled at the broadcaster's highest earn yet again.
Before delving into its contents, Davie took questions about the dance show, also telling members of the press: "Simply put, from my point of view, I need to be assured that we have the right safeguarding procedures and duty of care processes in place to deliver a full show. And that is the first question I ask as director general.
"I think I am assured by the robust actions actually, that we have taken in terms of the changes we've made, production team members in the training room, the two new roles, in terms of welfare producers, that we are in a position to deliver a very good season this year. And that's been my focus.
"So I think it's always been about how do we make sure that we deliver a show that is fun, entertaining, but also appropriately support everyone involved. And with that reassurance, absolutely. I'm looking forward to the next season."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Giovanni Pernice was axed from Strictly following complaints about his conduct by Amanda Abbington
PAMuch of the rhetoric surrounding the BBC weekend staple at the moment stems from allegations made against Pernice and Di Prima which subsequently resulted in their departures.
Pernice is said to have left Amanda Abbington with PTSD due to his training methods and "threatening and abusive" behaviour - claims he's vehemently denied.
Di Prima admitted to "kicking" dance partner McDermott and claimed his "intense passion and determination... affected my training regime", while McDermott has spoken out to describe the footage from her time on the show as "incredibly distressing" to watch.
The show is billed to return later this year for its 20th-anniversary special without Pernice and Di Prima.