BBC Strictly branded 'tone-deaf' as fans outraged at Paul Merson signing after domestic assault arrest
Paul Merson was announced to have joined Strictly Come Dancing last night
BBC/PA
A number of Strictly Come Dancing fans have been left outraged at BBC bosses for signing former footballing legend Paul Merson due to the fact he'd previously been arrested for an alleged assault on his wife.
Back in 2007, it was reported that Merson had spent the night in a cell after he was arrested on suspicion of assaulting his wife, Louise, 33, who - according to the Daily Mail and RTE - called the police for help.
Throughout his career, Merson fought well-publicised battles against drug, alcohol and gambling addictions, and during his arrest was taken to a police station near his home in Sutton Coldfield in the West Midlands.
A West Midlands Police spokesman told PA News at the time: "A man aged 35 from Sutton Coldfield was arrested at 11pm on Sunday November 9 following an allegation of assault on a female."
Merson reportedly accepted a caution for assault at the time before being released the next day.
Louise - who was Merson's second wife and mother of his twin daughters - spoke out about his arrest within a few days and told The Mirror: "There's all sorts of things gone on that I'm sure some people would love to know about but it's nothing to do with anyone else.
Paul Merson was arrested in 2007 on suspicion of assaulting his wife, Louise
PA
"I'm not going to say anything and certainly Paul isn't going to utter a word. We have our own problems like anyone else and we're dealing with them. We're still together."
The couple later split in 2013 before Merson went on to marry his current wife Katie Merson in 2016, and welcomed his eighth child back in 2021.
His first marriage with Lorraine Costin crumbled during his recovery from drug addiction and alcoholism after 10 years and three children.
The matter of Merson's arrest recently resurfaced due to the fact he was announced as one of this years Strictly Come Dancing contestants, leaving many fans furious with the broadcaster's decision.
Paul Merson married Katie Merson in 2016 and welcomed their first child together in 2021
Taking to the official Strictly Instagram account, one fan penned underneath Merson's announcement: "Don't quite feel ok about a guy who has a caution for assaulting his female partner on Strictly!"
"Is this for real??? His past history? The current situation? What are they thinking of? What a waste of OUR money for this," another fumed before a third noted: "Casting a domestic abuser in a year where treatment of women on the show has been front and centre. The casting team need replacing."
"Tone deaf and disappointing," another simply penned before a fifth commented: "How tone-deaf can they get?!"
However, not all were left upset with the show's decision to have him take part, as one supportive viewer and fan expressed: "Mers. Don’t listen to the haters…have fun my old High school peer... Lovely to see a normal guy, who happened to have extraordinary talent, show other ordinary guys, they can give anything a go." (sic)
GB News has contacted the BBC for a comment.
The signing of Merson and backlash comes after the BBC show already came under fire for the ongoing investigation into Giovanni Pernice's conduct towards Amanda Abbington - with the professional vehemently denying all claims.
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Graziano Di Prima was also axed for his behaviour towards Zara McDermott, after a source close to the Love Island star told bosses the dancer had "kicked, hit and spat" at her.
Di Prima admitted to remembering an instance where he did kick McDermott, however, denied any instance of hitting and spitting - recently claiming he thought they were still friends before the allegations.
Merson was announced last night during The One Show, and revealed: "I don't really worry about it yet until it starts, I am one of them people, I can't be worrying about something that is a month away, but I am sure when it starts I will be nervous there is no doubt about that.
"I have danced three times in my life and they were all at my weddings. I will have a go, 100 percent. All my career I give it ago, when we played football we played to win so yeah, I will give it a go, it won't be through lack of trying."
Merson, DIY SOS star Nick Knowles and Olympic hockey champion Sam Quek were the last three contestants to be confirmed for the 20th-anniversary special, but some fans were left disappointed and claimed the show had "dried up".
Merson joins the likes of Knowles, Quek, Love Island star Tasha Ghouri, Gladiators star Montell Douglas, Olympic swimmer Tom Dean, EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick, Miranda star Sarah Hadland, singer Shayne Ward, The Only Way is Essex star Pete Wicks, TV doctor Punam Krishan, singer Toyah Willcox, singer Wynne Evans, JLS star JB Gill and comedian Chris McCausland.