July 28th 2024.
According to reports, the team behind Strictly Come Dancing is facing yet another scandal as staff members have come forward with complaints about a toxic work environment. Some employees at the BBC have accused the broadcaster of not taking their concerns seriously, adding to the growing controversy surrounding the show's treatment of contestants. Former participants, including Zara McDermott, Amanda Abbington, and Laura Whitmore, have spoken out about their experiences, calling into question the show's practices.
A recent report by the Observer has brought new allegations to light, with one staff member claiming to have heard sexist and sexual comments in the workplace. They also shared that they were subjected to intrusive questioning about their personal lives and felt that some behavior crossed a line. When they tried to file a complaint, they were directed to the Film and TV Charity, leaving them feeling like they had hit a dead end.
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One former employee spoke out about their experience, saying, "It felt a bit blasé – handing off the responsibility to a charity rather than the company that is actually employing all of these people." The Observer also obtained a document from 2022 showing that BBC employees and fixed-term contract workers were directed to an external whistleblowing hotline, while those on freelance contracts were referred to the Film and TV Charity for support. However, the charity has clarified that they are not a whistleblowing service.
This controversy is the biggest scandal that Strictly Come Dancing has faced in its 20-year history. Another coworker has come forward, claiming to have witnessed talented colleagues being treated cruelly. They added, "In recent years we've seen talented coworkers treated with cruelty, incompetence rewarded, and egos unchecked." Meanwhile, a third employee who worked on the show eight years ago described the atmosphere as tense, toxic, and uncomfortable.
The complaints against Strictly's work culture date back to 2016 and encompass multiple seasons of the show. In a recent interview, former contestant Amanda Abbington shared her experiences and spoke out against her former dance partner, Giovanni Pernice, calling his behavior "unnecessary, abusive, cruel, and mean." She also claimed that he was blocking access to footage that would expose the toxic rehearsal room, a claim that Giovanni denies. The BBC is conducting an investigation into the matter.
Amidst these allegations, more celebrities have come forward to criticize their treatment while participating on the show. The director general of the BBC, Tim Davie, has apologized to contestants who have had negative experiences and stated that the broadcaster will not tolerate unacceptable behavior. He also announced that the BBC will be implementing practical measures to support welfare, such as monitoring dance rehearsals and having a production team member present during training room rehearsals.
As Strictly Come Dancing prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary and announce its new lineup, the controversy surrounding the show's conduct continues to grow. It has been reported that it has become more challenging to recruit female celebrities for the show due to the recent onslaught of complaints. The Agency has reached out to the BBC for comment, and Strictly Come Dancing is set to return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer later this year.
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