Graziano Di Prima was axed from the show last week following ‘gross misconduct’ towards Zara McDermott in training (Image: PA)Get daily celeb exclusives and behind the scenes house tours direct to your inboxMore Newsletters SubscribePlease enter a valid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.More NewslettersWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More infoThank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow me See OurPrivacy Notice See OurPrivacy Notice×Group 28 Get daily celeb exclusives and behind the scenes house tours direct to your inboxInvalid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.Sign UpNo thanks, closeWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info×Group 28Thank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow MeNo thanks, closeSee our
Privacy Notice The BBC could reportedly face a £1million legal bill over their Strictly Come Dancing misconduct scandal. The reports come after two stars, Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima have left the show as it gears up for its 20th anniversary. Now, lawyers Carter Ruck are representing a number of former celebrity dancers as they seek compensation for their clients. A source claimed to The Sun: “More and more stars are coming forward with grievances, and they have been advised there are significant grounds for personal injury claims. “The BBC would be vicariously liable for actions taken by its employees.”
Giovanni quit the show after complaints from former dance partners including Amanda Abbington
(Image: PA)
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“The figures for personal injury are notoriously low, but at least three celebrities have a case for lost earnings — the idea that being associated to this case has made them seem ‘tricksy’ to employ,” they continued. “They say they have lost work, and worry the BBC especially will deem them untouchable.” The source went on to explain that injury claims can be for things such as soft tissue damage, mental heath damage, and “severe sprains which can hamper ability to perform day to day tasks.” Rachel Riley and Amanda Abbington have said they suffered with PTSD after the show, as the source claims some previous contestants were left needing therapy. “There are doctors’ notes and photographic evidence of stars being left black and blue, which have all been handed to lawyers to be used as evidence,” the source claims. “If successful — and at the moment there certainly appears to be serious evidence for duty of care breaches — the BBC could well be forced to pay out well over £1million.” The source then concluded by saying it’s a ‘very worrying prospect’ for a tax-payer funded show. OK! has contacted BBC for comment. When approached by The Sun, they declined to comment on any prospective payouts. Last week, Graziano Di Prima was axed from the show following ‘gross misconduct’ towards celebrity dance partner Zara McDermott. Footage shown to bosses of their training session was said to have ‘reduced people to tears. He later admitted to kicking the former Love Island star on a singular occasion. He did however, deny reports he spat at Zara. Responding to this, Zara’s reps told the BBC: “It’s a matter of public record that the BBC deemed the conduct to be so severe that they removed him from the show immediately.
Graziano ‘regrets his behaviour’ that led to his departure from the show
(Image: BBC/Ray Burmiston)
“Zara has already confirmed in a statement released on her social media earlier this week that the reported conduct was not a singular incident…” The news came just months after Giovanni quit the show following gross misconduct claims from former partners including Amanda Abbington. The professional dancer denies any “abusive or threatening behaviour.” The BBC admitted to launching an internal investigation into the matter, as they have taken on two ex- Met detectives to interview celebrity contestants, dancers and show staff, past and present. Earlier this week, the broadcaster confirmed that they would be adding additional steps to strengthen welfare and support on the show. This will include: having a production team member present during training room rehearsals at all times and increasing existing support with the addition of two new roles on the show dedicated to welfare support – a Celebrity Welfare Producer and a Professional Dancer Welfare Producer. They will also deliver further training for the production team and crew. Kate Phillips, BBC’s Director of Unscripted, said: “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. “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.”Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnGiovanni PerniceStrictly Come DancingGraziano Di Prima
