BBC Strictly chaperone rules may 'hinder rapport' as body language expert issues damning warning

It was confirmed in June that Giovanni Pernice would not be returning to the series after Amanda Abbington claimed she had suffered PTSD from her time with the 33-year-old Italian dancer.

Pernice has vehemently denied the allegations and vowed to "clear my name" - enlisting the help of lawyers Schillings, whilst Abbington paired up with Carter Ruck.

On July, 13, it was announced that Graziano Di Prima would not be returning for the next series and had been axed from the show after an insider reportedly went to the BBC and claimed the 30-year-old Ballroom star had "kicked, hit and spat" at Zara McDermott.

Shortly after the allegations emerged, McDermott released a statement and revealed she was "scared" to say anything about how she had been treated in rehearsals.

"I have wrestled with the fear of opening up - I was scared about public backlash, I was scared about my future, I was scared of victim shaming. But after a lot of conversation with those I love, I've gained the strength to face these fears, and when I was asked to speak to the BBC, I spoke candidly about my time on the show."

Days later, Di Prima's spokesperson Mark Borkowski told the BBC: "There is never a time when kicking, or any sense of that is right. And he knows that. He knows he's made a mistake. He apologised at the time."

Borkowski said Di Prima did not remember the incident very well, however did not deny that a kick was involved and said the dancer knows that he "crossed the line". However, he did deny reports that he spat on McDermott.

After the claims against Di Prima emerged, the BBC spoke out and claimed it would put a member of the production staff in all future rehearsals following complaints about two of the professional dancers.

The broadcaster has said there will also be two new dedicated welfare producers on the show, with the BBC's director of unscripted Kate Phillips saying: "Whilst we know our shows have been positive experiences for the vast majority of those who have taken part, if issues are raised with us, or we’re made aware of inappropriate behaviour, we will always take that seriously and act.

"Concerns that have arisen have been fundamentally related to training and rehearsals. The decisive steps we have taken and are announced today, act to further strengthen the welfare and support in place for everyone involved with this production."

Now, body language expert Darren Stanton has told GB News that he feels the chaperone rule could "affect integrity" and added: "It could technically hinder rapport.

"I think a person's level of performance on the dancefloor is linked to the relationship formed between those two people. Having a third party in there could affect the integrity of the show in some respect.

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"I get what they are doing, they are giving somebody an outlet to speak to, I get that but I am not quite sure, it could change the whole dynamic of the show."

Since Di Prima's axing, judge Anton Du Beke has been named in the allegations, along with one unnamed female professional and Janette Manrara, after her former partner Will Bayley claimed Manrara described his first attempt as "rubbish" and felt forced to try again before injuring himself.