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| A timeline of how the Strictly saga has unfolded | A timeline of how the Strictly saga has unfolded |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Amanda Abbington was paired with Giovanni Pernice on last year's series | |
| Amanda Abbington was paired with Giovanni Pernice on last year's series | |
| Published16 July 2024 | Published16 July 2024 |
| Strictly Come Dancing has been one of the BBC's most iconic and beloved shows for the past 20 years. | Strictly Come Dancing has been one of the BBC's most iconic and beloved shows for the past 20 years. |
| But it has been hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons, amid allegations concerning two of its professional dancers. | But it has been hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons, amid allegations concerning two of its professional dancers. |
| Both men - Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima - have now left the show. | Both men - Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima - have now left the show. |
| Pernice has denied any suggestions of abusive or threatening behaviour during rehearsals. | Pernice has denied any suggestions of abusive or threatening behaviour during rehearsals. |
| Di Prima's spokesman has confirmed the star kicked celebrity partner Zara McDermott once during rehearsals last year. | Di Prima's spokesman has confirmed the star kicked celebrity partner Zara McDermott once during rehearsals last year. |
| The BBC, for its part, has insisted it has robust duty of care procedures, which it has bolstered with a string of new measures including giving stars chaperones in rehearsals. | The BBC, for its part, has insisted it has robust duty of care procedures, which it has bolstered with a string of new measures including giving stars chaperones in rehearsals. |
| But the saga has raised question marks over what's really happening behind the scenes. | But the saga has raised question marks over what's really happening behind the scenes. |
| Here's how events have unfolded over the past year. | Here's how events have unfolded over the past year. |
| 23 October 2023 - Amanda Abbington withdraws from Strictly | 23 October 2023 - Amanda Abbington withdraws from Strictly |
| The Sherlock actress pulls out of the show in week six, having missed the previous weekend's show for medical reasons. | The Sherlock actress pulls out of the show in week six, having missed the previous weekend's show for medical reasons. |
| Abbington was paired with Italian professional dancer Giovanni Pernice. | Abbington was paired with Italian professional dancer Giovanni Pernice. |
| 24 October 2023 - Abbington expresses 'regret' over exit | 24 October 2023 - Abbington expresses 'regret' over exit |
| A day after the BBC announced that Abbington had withdrawn, the star takes to Instagram to express her "deepest regret" at having to leave. | A day after the BBC announced that Abbington had withdrawn, the star takes to Instagram to express her "deepest regret" at having to leave. |
| Her post cites "personal reasons" for being "unable to continue". | Her post cites "personal reasons" for being "unable to continue". |
| She adds that she "did not come to this decision easily or lightly... I'm so sad I am unable to go any further". | She adds that she "did not come to this decision easily or lightly... I'm so sad I am unable to go any further". |
| Pernice also comments on Instagram, writing: "I am so sad we can't continue but I am proud of what we achieved and I am sending you so much love." | Pernice also comments on Instagram, writing: "I am so sad we can't continue but I am proud of what we achieved and I am sending you so much love." |
| 19 May 2024 - Giovanni rejects claims over teaching methods | 19 May 2024 - Giovanni rejects claims over teaching methods |
| Pernice says he is "surprised" by media reports about his teaching methods and rejects "any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour". | Pernice says he is "surprised" by media reports about his teaching methods and rejects "any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour". |
| The dancer adds that he was looking forward to clearing his name. | The dancer adds that he was looking forward to clearing his name. |
| Legal firm Carter Ruck says it contacted the BBC regarding "numerous serious complaints" about his alleged behaviour while filming Strictly. | Legal firm Carter Ruck says it contacted the BBC regarding "numerous serious complaints" about his alleged behaviour while filming Strictly. |
| It is widely reported Abbington had experienced difficulties with Pernice. | It is widely reported Abbington had experienced difficulties with Pernice. |
| 29 May 2024 - BBC promises fairness | 29 May 2024 - BBC promises fairness |
| The BBC promises to handle any complaints with "care, fairness and sensitivity" to all sides, following reports about Pernice's teaching methods. | The BBC promises to handle any complaints with "care, fairness and sensitivity" to all sides, following reports about Pernice's teaching methods. |
| The BBC issues a statement addressing "media reports about a high profile show", which was believed to concern Strictly. | The BBC issues a statement addressing "media reports about a high profile show", which was believed to concern Strictly. |
| 10 June 2024 - Giovanni out of 2024 line-up | 10 June 2024 - Giovanni out of 2024 line-up |
| It is confirmed that Pernice will not return to Strictly Come Dancing for the next series. | It is confirmed that Pernice will not return to Strictly Come Dancing for the next series. |
| The BBC does not announce the star as part of its line-up of professional dancers for 2024, following reports that he would not compete. | The BBC does not announce the star as part of its line-up of professional dancers for 2024, following reports that he would not compete. |
| 13 July 2024 - Graziano out of line-up | 13 July 2024 - Graziano out of line-up |
| Di Prima confirms that he is leaving the show. | Di Prima confirms that he is leaving the show. |
| In a statement on Instagram, he says he "deeply regrets" the events leading up to his departure and acknowledged that his "intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime". | In a statement on Instagram, he says he "deeply regrets" the events leading up to his departure and acknowledged that his "intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime". |
| A BBC spokesperson confirms Di Prima is "no longer a part of the line-up of professional dancers for the upcoming series". | A BBC spokesperson confirms Di Prima is "no longer a part of the line-up of professional dancers for the upcoming series". |
| Last year, Di Prima danced with TV presenter Zara McDermott. | Last year, Di Prima danced with TV presenter Zara McDermott. |
| 16 July 2024 - McDermott speaks up | 16 July 2024 - McDermott speaks up |
| McDermott posts a statement that says she was involved in incidents in the Strictly training room that she now finds "incredibly distressing" to watch back. | McDermott posts a statement that says she was involved in incidents in the Strictly training room that she now finds "incredibly distressing" to watch back. |
| The former Love Island star and documentary maker also says she had "wrestled with the fear of opening up" about her experiences because "I was scared about public backlash, I was scared about my future, I was scared of victim shaming". | The former Love Island star and documentary maker also says she had "wrestled with the fear of opening up" about her experiences because "I was scared about public backlash, I was scared about my future, I was scared of victim shaming". |
| The BBC subsequently announces it will put a member of production staff in all future rehearsals. | The BBC subsequently announces it will put a member of production staff in all future rehearsals. |
| There will also be two new dedicated welfare producers, as part of a string of extra measures. | There will also be two new dedicated welfare producers, as part of a string of extra measures. |
| 18 July 2024 - Graziano spokesman admits kick 'mistake' | 18 July 2024 - Graziano spokesman admits kick 'mistake' |
| The spokesman for Graziano Di Prima confirms the star kicked celebrity partner Zara McDermott once during rehearsals last year, which led to his removal from the show. | The spokesman for Graziano Di Prima confirms the star kicked celebrity partner Zara McDermott once during rehearsals last year, which led to his removal from the show. |
| "There is never a time when kicking, or any sense of that is right," Mark Borkowski tells BBC News. "And he knows that. | "There is never a time when kicking, or any sense of that is right," Mark Borkowski tells BBC News. "And he knows that. |
| "He knows he's made a mistake. He apologised at the time." | "He knows he's made a mistake. He apologised at the time." |
| McDermott's spokesman tells BBC News: "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. | McDermott's spokesman tells BBC News: "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. |
| "Zara has already confirmed in a statement released on her social media earlier this week that the reported conduct was not a singular incident." | "Zara has already confirmed in a statement released on her social media earlier this week that the reported conduct was not a singular incident." |
| 21 July 2024 - Abbington accuses Pernice of 'cruel and mean' behaviour | 21 July 2024 - Abbington accuses Pernice of 'cruel and mean' behaviour |
| Amanda Abbington says she found her former Strictly Come Dancing dance partner Giovanni Pernice’s alleged behaviour “unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean”. | Amanda Abbington says she found her former Strictly Come Dancing dance partner Giovanni Pernice’s alleged behaviour “unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean”. |
| The actress tells the Sun on Sunday she feared a backlash if she complained and claimed the BBC had known about Pernice's behaviour for years. | The actress tells the Sun on Sunday she feared a backlash if she complained and claimed the BBC had known about Pernice's behaviour for years. |
| She also does interviews with Channel 4 News and ITV's Lorraine later in the week, describing her Strictly training room as "a toxic environment". | She also does interviews with Channel 4 News and ITV's Lorraine later in the week, describing her Strictly training room as "a toxic environment". |
| Pernice's spokesperson says he refuted the allegations and denied any accusations of abusive or threatening behaviour. | Pernice's spokesperson says he refuted the allegations and denied any accusations of abusive or threatening behaviour. |
| The BBC says it "takes duty of care extremely seriously" and has "appropriate processes in place to manage" any issues that are raised. | The BBC says it "takes duty of care extremely seriously" and has "appropriate processes in place to manage" any issues that are raised. |
| 23 July 2024 - BBC boss says sorry over complaints | 23 July 2024 - BBC boss says sorry over complaints |
| The BBC's director general, Tim Davie, apologises to Strictly Come Dancing contestants who have had negative experiences on the show. | The BBC's director general, Tim Davie, apologises to Strictly Come Dancing contestants who have had negative experiences on the show. |
| Speaking at the launch of the BBC's annual report, he says he's "disappointed" to hear that several celebrity contestants had complained. | Speaking at the launch of the BBC's annual report, he says he's "disappointed" to hear that several celebrity contestants had complained. |
| The show's professionals should not cross the line between being competitive and "unacceptable behaviour", he warns - but does confirm the show will return. | The show's professionals should not cross the line between being competitive and "unacceptable behaviour", he warns - but does confirm the show will return. |
| "There will be a degree of competitiveness and will to do well, but there are limits and the line should never be crossed. We never tolerate unacceptable behaviour of any kind." | "There will be a degree of competitiveness and will to do well, but there are limits and the line should never be crossed. We never tolerate unacceptable behaviour of any kind." |
| 27 July 2024 - Laura Whitmore alleges 'inappropriate behaviour' | 27 July 2024 - Laura Whitmore alleges 'inappropriate behaviour' |
| Television presenter Laura Whitmore alleges she was subjected to "inappropriate behaviour" while on Strictly. | Television presenter Laura Whitmore alleges she was subjected to "inappropriate behaviour" while on Strictly. |
| The former Love Island host was partnered with Giovanni Pernice in 2016, and was the seventh celebrity eliminated. | The former Love Island host was partnered with Giovanni Pernice in 2016, and was the seventh celebrity eliminated. |
| Whitmore, who had an ankle injury during the show, says she "raised concerns" at the time. | Whitmore, who had an ankle injury during the show, says she "raised concerns" at the time. |
| Pernice had previously rejected "threatening or abusive behaviour" allegations made by Abbington. | Pernice had previously rejected "threatening or abusive behaviour" allegations made by Abbington. |
| 7 August 2024 - Junior crew on Strictly speak out | 7 August 2024 - Junior crew on Strictly speak out |
| BBC News speaks to 15 current and former members of staff on the show about its culture behind the scenes. | BBC News speaks to 15 current and former members of staff on the show about its culture behind the scenes. |
| Some tell a positive story of dancers and staff who were kind and respectful to them. But others painted a picture of a workplace in which workers were bullied and junior employees were shouted at by professional dancers. | Some tell a positive story of dancers and staff who were kind and respectful to them. But others painted a picture of a workplace in which workers were bullied and junior employees were shouted at by professional dancers. |
| A BBC Studios spokesperson says they don't recognise the claims, nor will "hundreds of production personnel" who have worked across the two decades the show has been on air. | A BBC Studios spokesperson says they don't recognise the claims, nor will "hundreds of production personnel" who have worked across the two decades the show has been on air. |
| They apologise if anyone didn't feel able to raise their experiences at the time, adding: "The welfare and safety of our crew on each series has always been, and remains, our utmost priority.” | They apologise if anyone didn't feel able to raise their experiences at the time, adding: "The welfare and safety of our crew on each series has always been, and remains, our utmost priority.” |
| 14 September 2024 - Strictly returns to TV | 14 September 2024 - Strictly returns to TV |
| The show returns to BBC One with a new crop of celebrities, but there is no on-air mention of the controversies. | The show returns to BBC One with a new crop of celebrities, but there is no on-air mention of the controversies. |
| That came days after the show was voted best talent show at the National Television Awards. | That came days after the show was voted best talent show at the National Television Awards. |
| 24 September 2024 - BBC apologises to Abbington but her claims only partly upheld | 24 September 2024 - BBC apologises to Abbington but her claims only partly upheld |
| The BBC apologises to Amanda Abbington and upholds some of her complaints against her 2023 Strictly dance partner Giovanni Pernice, but cleared him of the most serious allegations. | The BBC apologises to Amanda Abbington and upholds some of her complaints against her 2023 Strictly dance partner Giovanni Pernice, but cleared him of the most serious allegations. |
| While complaints of verbal bullying and harassment were upheld, claims of physical aggression were not, BBC News understands. | While complaints of verbal bullying and harassment were upheld, claims of physical aggression were not, BBC News understands. |
| The Sherlock actress calls the BBC's apology a "vindication" of her complaint and said she hoped others would now feel "more confident" that they would be believed. | The Sherlock actress calls the BBC's apology a "vindication" of her complaint and said she hoped others would now feel "more confident" that they would be believed. |
| A spokesperson for Pernice says he was "pleased" the review "has not found any evidence of threatening or abusive behaviour" by him. | A spokesperson for Pernice says he was "pleased" the review "has not found any evidence of threatening or abusive behaviour" by him. |
| More on Strictly Come Dancing: | More on Strictly Come Dancing: |
| Training has to be tough, says Strictly's Craig | Training has to be tough, says Strictly's Craig |
| Training has to be tough, says Strictly's Craig | Training has to be tough, says Strictly's Craig |
| Abbington 'raised Strictly concerns on day three' | Abbington 'raised Strictly concerns on day three' |
| Abbington 'raised Strictly concerns on day three' | Abbington 'raised Strictly concerns on day three' |
| Abbington 'received rape threats' after Strictly | Abbington 'received rape threats' after Strictly |
| Abbington 'received rape threats' after Strictly | Abbington 'received rape threats' after Strictly |
| BBC boss says sorry over Strictly complaints | BBC boss says sorry over Strictly complaints |
| BBC boss says sorry over Strictly complaints | BBC boss says sorry over Strictly complaints |
| 'Frustrating' and 'pressurised': Life inside Strictly rehearsals | 'Frustrating' and 'pressurised': Life inside Strictly rehearsals |
| 'Frustrating' and 'pressurised': Life inside Strictly rehearsals | 'Frustrating' and 'pressurised': Life inside Strictly rehearsals |
| Strictly to give stars chaperones after complaints | Strictly to give stars chaperones after complaints |
| Strictly to give stars chaperones after complaints | Strictly to give stars chaperones after complaints |
| All the latest Strictly news | All the latest Strictly news |
| All the latest Strictly news | All the latest Strictly news |
| Get in touch | Get in touch |
| Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? | Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? |
| Related topics | Related topics |
| Television | Television |
| BBC | BBC |
| Strictly Come Dancing | Strictly Come Dancing |