BBC Strictly 'will get over' abuse scandals as former boss makes feelings clear on Graziano and Giovanni saga
A former Strictly commissioner has claimed show will 'get over' abuse claims
BBC
Strictly Come Dancing's former commissioner Lorraine Heggessey has stated she is confident that the BBC One dancing competition will survive the ongoing investigations into behavioural misconduct - after Giovanni Pernice, 33, and Graziano Di Prima, 30, were axed.
Heggessey was in charge at the BBC when Strictly first premiered in 2000, and her decision to launch the show revolutionised Saturday night television in the UK.
Back in May, it was revealed that Pernice would no longer be part of the show after Amanda Abbington claimed she had PTSD and had been the victim of bullying during their time together.
The 33-year-old has vehemently denied the allegations and vowed to clear his name - despite three more of his former partners claiming they experienced a similar experience.
Over the weekend, Di Prima became the second pro to be sacked from Strictly, after reports emerged that his former partner Zara McDermott was "kicked, hit and spat" at by the Italian her during their training.
The 30-year-old released a statement apologising for his actions and passion for dance which he admitted could have "gotten in the way" of how he trains his partner.
Reports claim Graziano Di Prima 'kicked, spat and hit' Zara McDermott during training
Di Prima is reportedly set to sue the BBC after feeling as if they failed to offer him "support" in the build-up to the scandal, as a friend of the star told MailOnline: "There are questions over their [the BBC’s] procedures, and how they operate behind the scenes.
"He [Di Prima] believes that there is a lot of pressure on professionals to get nines or 10s to entertain the audience."
Due to the ongoing investigations, the BBC will be implementing chaperones for the upcoming 20th-anniversary series, which will see none of the celebrities and their partners left alone during their training.
Former commissioner Heggessey recently discussed the ongoing saga surrounding the show and was confident that it could come out the other side in a positive manner.
Zara McDermott was forced to speak out after an eye-witness came forward about the Italian dancer
BBC
Discussing the allegations on BBC Radio 4, she explained: "Thank goodness Zara McDermott has now spoken out as has Amanda Abbington and now the team are doing something about it.
"As I say, I think Strictly can get over this, I think, you know we should have on to all the positives and address the issue and move on.
"It has been a show which has broken boundaries in all sorts of ways, whether that is through having same-sex couples or championing disability.
"I mean who can forget the incredibly memorable dance that Rose Ayling-Ellis did, the silent dance or some of the other contestants, Johnny Peacock, JJ Chalmers, the fact that it helps an awful lot of people in all elements of their lives."
She added: "I think it’s very sad that these things have happened and clearly a line has been crossed by some of the professional dancers.
"But I think that what’s important is the BBC is dealing with it swiftly and putting in place measures to make sure these things don’t happen again."
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Heggessey defended the BBC from claims it should have been aware of what was happening, asking: "If it’s happening behind closed doors, how are you supposed to know about it if nobody raises it with you?"
She continued: "I‘m sure the production team really cared about the welfare of all the contestants and I guess – I don’t know, I’m not close to the show now – but it seems that once it’s come to their attention, they’re doing something about it."
Heggessey added that "the important thing now is to move on and make sure it never happens again" before stating she believes "having somebody in the training room at all times will be to the benefit for everybody".
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