Fern Britton, 67, 'kicked and shoved' by former BBC Strictly partner as claims resurface amid Graziano saga

Britton starred on the show in 2012 and was partnered with Artem Chingvinstev, only making it to week five before they were eliminated.

Shortly after the pair left the show, Britton claimed that her dance partner "kicked and shoved" her during their rehearsals, and recalled his bad temper when doing something wrong.

She told The Times newspaper: "He would look at my feet and just kick me or shove me."

Britton went on to say: "You just stand there and don’t move, I dance round you.’

"He was like, 'Shut your face. Go home before I kill you.' I would say, 'Oh please just kill me, it would be easier.'

"Or what was his other one? If you go for a cup of tea now, I will blow off like an atomic bomb.' I thought, well I won’t correct him on that one."

She continued: "We did love each other for a moment or two but he wasn’t charm personified… I did kind of enjoy it but it was grim at the same time."

At the time of her claims, Chingvintev responded and told the Daily Express: "I believe I treated Fern with respect and genuine care and these claims about me are the opposite of everything I believe in and the person I am. I cannot imagine what has prompted such statements which come as a shock to me."

Over the weekend, Di Prima was axed from the BBC series after a witness came forward and claimed they saw the 30-year-old would "kick and spit" at partner Zara McDermott - forcing her to release a statement.

When asked for a comment, the BBC told GB News: "As we told The Sun, we will always listen if people want to make us aware of something or raise it with us."

In a separate statement, the BBC said: "We can confirm that Graziano Di Prima is no longer a part of the line-up of professional dancers for the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing.

"While we would never comment on individual cases, it is well-known that the BBC has established and robust duty of care procedures, and if issues are raised we will always take them seriously and act swiftly as appropriate."

Due to the ongoing investigations into Pernice and Di Prima, the BBC has already made changes to the upcoming 20th-anniversary series by having chaperones during every training session.

Kate Phillips, the BBC's director of unscripted, said in a report by the broadcaster: "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.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

• 22 Kids and Counting's Noel Radford in 'midlife crisis' as Channel 5 star forced to 'take time off work'
• Angel Adoree forced to take 'really strict' action on daughter, 10, as Dick vents frustration
• Maya Jama and Stormzy announce shock split as pair end second romance stint

"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."

It has also been reported that a third professional dancer - who is no longer part of the show - is also part of the investigation into the BBC series and the professional dancers' conduct.

A source told The Sun: "A professional's name has come up, alongside Giovanni and Graziano. He is no longer part of the show but he has been named as a person of interest.

"Conversations are ongoing and there are more people who need to be spoken to. A dossier is being compiled which will be handed over to the BBC.

"What is becoming clear is that there appears to be a more widespread issue over the conduct of some of the professionals in training. And the more people who come forward, the clearer the picture is becoming."