The BBC have been urged to “pull the plug” on their hit competition show Strictly Come Dancing after the series landed itself in a fresh scandal.
Several professional dancers involved with the show have been faced with “bullying” allegations, including former stars Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima.
In a new development of the Strictly drama, former contestant and Paralympian Will Bayley has spoken out about his time on the show and the “lack of aftercare” he received after suffering a knee injury during rehearsal in 2019.
Discussing the BBC's beloved show on GB News, commentator Nichi Hodgson said the broadcaster is “desperate for this to go away” as the show approaches its 20th year.
POLL OF THE DAY: Has Strictly Come Dancing outstayed its welcome amid scandals? YOUR VERDICT
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Hodgson said of the scandal: “It feels like Strictly is having its Love Island moment. Obviously, the execs are desperate to keep it because it's a 20-year show that brings in a lot of viewers still.
“Maybe it's just time to pull the plug. When a brand becomes this tarnished, what do you do?”
In a new interview with presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Amanda Abbingdon claimed Pernice exhibited “humiliating behaviour of a sexual nature”.
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Responding to the interview, a spokesperson for Giovanni said: “We are cooperating fully with the BBC’s review process.
“All parties have been asked to respect this process and to not speak to the media before it concludes.
“We will continue to respect the integrity of the investigation and believe it is the right forum for all the evidence to be reviewed.
“As part of the evidence-led review, the BBC has shared the allegations they have been able to substantiate with us.
“They do not resemble Amanda’s latest allegations, given to Channel 4, in any shape or form.
“Giovanni refutes any claim of threatening or abusive behaviour, and having provided the BBC with his evidence, is confident that the review will prove this.
“We would urge people to wait for the review’s conclusion and not to pay heed to these very serious and defamatory allegations that have no evidence in support of them.
A majority of 79 per cent of GB News members who voted in the poll believe that Strictly has outstayed its welcome amid the scandals.
Meanwhile 19 per cent disagree and do not believe Strictly has outstayed its welcome, with two per cent unsure.
