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BBC apologizes to Amanda Abbington over ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ bullying claims
A closer look at the controversy surrounding ‘Strictly Come Dancing’
The BBC has issued an apology to “Sherlock” star Amanda Abbington after upholding some of her complaints regarding bullying on the popular competition series “Strictly Come Dancing.” Known as the U.K.’s equivalent of “Dancing With the Stars,” “Strictly” has been a staple of British television for years. However, recent allegations from former contestants, including Abbington, have cast a shadow over the show’s reputation.
Allegations and investigation
Amanda Abbington’s complaints specifically targeted her dance partner, Giovanni Pernice. The BBC confirmed that it has “upheld some, but not all, of the complaints made.” In a statement, the corporation expressed gratitude to Abbington for coming forward, acknowledging the difficulty of her decision.
“We want to apologize to Amanda Abbington and to thank her for coming forward and taking part,” the statement read. “We know this would not have been an easy thing to do.”
The impact on Amanda Abbington
Earlier this summer, Abbington revealed that she was still suffering from PTSD after participating in the show for four weeks. She cited a combination of ill-health and bullying as reasons for her departure. Pernice, who has since been dropped from the show, denied the allegations.
“It wasn’t what I expected it to be,” Abbington said of her experience. She added that after informing producers about Pernice’s behavior, cameras were set up in the rehearsal room to review the footage. Abbington has not ruled out the possibility of suing the BBC.
Other contestants speak out
Abbington is not the only contestant to have raised concerns. Influencer Zara McDermott also revealed that her professional dance partner, Graziano Di Prima, had kicked her during rehearsals. Di Prima has since been sacked from the show.
BBC’s response and new measures
The BBC has concluded its review into Abbington’s complaints and has taken steps to enhance its duty of care for everyone involved in “Strictly Come Dancing.” The corporation emphasized that it takes allegations of bullying and harassment very seriously and has implemented new measures to ensure a positive experience for all participants.
Duty of care measures
The BBC and BBC Studios have introduced several new measures for training and rehearsals, including:
- A production team member present during training room rehearsals at all times.
- Two new roles dedicated to welfare support: a Celebrity Welfare Producer and a Professional Dancer Welfare Producer.
- Additional training for professional dancers, the production team, and crew.
- 15 training room observers who complete daily training logs, covering breaks, warm-ups, and rest periods.
- Weekly welfare meetings with the show’s senior team, the BBC’s editorial policy advisor, and the BBC’s Duty of Care Executive.
- Pre-series psychological reviews and ‘wellbeing questionnaires’ for every celebrity and professional dancer.
- Workshops addressing the culture of the show and expected behavior.
- A formal exit interview process for all involved, which will be logged and documented.
These measures build on longstanding processes and procedures on the show, ensuring that “Strictly Come Dancing” remains a positive and transformative experience for everyone involved.
Reflecting on the industry
The allegations and subsequent actions taken by the BBC highlight the importance of maintaining a safe and supportive environment in competitive reality TV shows. The entertainment industry must continuously evolve to address the well-being of its participants, ensuring that the pressures of competition do not lead to harmful experiences.
Final thoughts
The BBC’s response to Amanda Abbington’s complaints demonstrates a commitment to improving the welfare of its participants. By implementing new measures and upholding some of Abbington’s complaints, the corporation is taking steps to ensure that “Strictly Come Dancing” remains a beloved and respected show.
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