Former BBC journalist Fi Glover, 55, has lifted the lid on how the broadcaster supposedly enters negotiations with the celebrities joining the show in order to promote Strictly Come Dancing positively.
Glover's comments come after it has been reported that Strictly contestants have been silenced by their watertight contracts which prevent them from bad-mouthing the show.
The 55-year-old worked at the BBC for 29 years and recently told The Sun: "They sign a contract that means that they show Strictly in a very positive way.
"I think it’s been incredibly difficult for contestants to say things that we now realise they should have been able to say — which is that they were made to feel uncomfortable.
"And in these cases which are now emerging, there was really nasty physical and verbal abuse going on."
Reverend Richard Coles, 62, who competed in 2017, also suggested that behaviour similar to Giovanni Pernice's and Graziano Di Prima's was known about before the reports emerged.
Amanda Abbington first claimed she had PTSD from her time with Giovanni Pernice
BBC
He told the same publication: "I remember somebody who worked on the show for years and years once telling me, 'Strictly is a wonderful show with a dark heart'.
"I’ve spoken to contestants and also professionals about it. And I think no one has been surprised that this stuff has surfaced."
The comments from Glover and Cole come after the broadcaster is set to take a huge step amid the misconduct scandals as chaperones during training hours are set to be introduced.
Each professional and celebrity pairing is set to have a member of the production staff in all future rehearsals and there will also be two new dedicated welfare producers on the show.
Graziano Di Prima reportedly 'kicked, hit and spat' on Zara McDermott
BBC
Ann Widdecombe - who was on the show back in 2010 and partners with Anton Du Beke - slammed the new rules imposed for the show and told Jeremy Vine's Channel 5 show: "Everything that you do when you are training is filmed and recorded.
"And there are usually two people there, both sound and camera, but always at least one. So there's already a third party in the room and it's all on record. And if somebody is being kicked and punched, that should have been filmed, that's the first thing.
"These are adults. I'd take a very serious view of this if these were kids. These are adults. What do we mean, bullied? These are adults, what do we mean by bullying? Why didn't they take action?"
Whilst some are unsure whether Strictly will be able to recover from the investigations into Pernice and Di Prima, former commissioner Lorraine Heggessey remains hopeful the show "will get over" the claims.
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Ann Widdecombe slammed the BBC's incoming chaperone rules
BBC
She told BBC Radio 4: "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.
"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."
GB News has contacted the BBC for comment regarding Glover's claims.