BBC Strictly fans issue complaint over cast announcement amid misconduct probe: 'Dark cloud still hangs!'
Chris McCausland and JB Gill were announced as the first two contestants for Strictly Come Dancing
BBC/PA
Strictly Come Dancing is slowly beginning to announce the next round of cast members for the upcoming season despite the ongoing misconduct probe which has seen Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima axed from the show.
Amanda Abbington recently sat down with Krishnan Guru-Murphy for her first TV interview regarding the misconduct probe and briefly opened up about her experience with the Italian dancer.
During the chat, she alluded to an incident of a "sexual nature" - something which Pernice immediately hit back at through a spokesperson and once again vehemently denied any actions of wrongdoing.
Abbington also claimed there were 50 hours of footage which is being blocked by Pernice's team, adding that it made the 33-year-old look as if he was trying to hide something.
Over the weekend, a source close to the probe told GB News that even if the BBC does exonerate the former Strictly dancer, they are fearful that the crisis is far from over.
They said: "The BBC has carried out a thorough and robust investigation into the complaints Amanda Abbington has made. But there’s a growing feeling within the corridors of the BBC that this will not be the end of the matter.
"They are aware that there are a number of other former contestants who could be able to make complaints. They know many will be awaiting the decision on the Amanda and Giovanni review before they decide what to do.
"The BBC had hoped they could move into the new series in the Autumn with a line drawn under all the controversy which has been surrounding the show. But nobody working on the programme now realistically thinks this will happen.
"After all that’s happened with Huw Edwards this is really the last thing they need."
Now, as contestants begin to emerge, many fans have begun to issue the same complaint and feel that a "dark cloud" is still hanging over the show due to the lack of information surrounding the investigation.
One fan took to Reddit to air their grievances and said: "Purely from a marketing point of view, I simply don't understand how the BBC can march confidently into a new series with contestant announcements today when the investigation into the bullying allegations hasn't reported.
"Apart from being disrespectful to all involved in the investigation, it hangs like a dirty great cloud over the show and should have been prioritised to report before the new series started announcing the people taking part. It just feels like fiddling while Rome burns."
Someone else agreed and added: "It's been reported that Giovanni learned the results on 29 July. I imagine Amanda learned the results around a similar time too. I highly doubt the BBC will publicly release the findings.
"They're probably hoping that once the show starts people's focus will turn to the new batch of celebs and that this will die away."
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The results of the investigation of Giovanni Pernice still looms over the BBC dance competition
BBC
"I’m guessing that they hope people will talk about the celebs and the new series instead of the allegations. Media just reports on the newest thing so they will be hoping this will replace it," a third noted.
However, some were still adamant about sticking up for the show and speaking about it positively as one penned: "I honestly still think a lot of the more casual Strictly viewers don't really care that much - my family for example aren't even really aware what's happening behind the scenes and are full on excited for the new series to start!
"In my mum's words - most of the older professionals weren't very nice to their partners either, it's nothing new. I assume that's probably what the BBC is going with too sadly."
Another simply stated: "It's just a TV show." (sic)