Strictly live news: Pro dancers ‘irate they’ve been hung out to dry’ by celebrity contestants

In a new interview with Krishnan Guru-Murthy for Channel 4 News, Abbington claimed that the show’s producers installed cameras in her rehearsal room after she raised concerns about Pernice.

“Every Friday, after the next sort of five weeks, I would get the producer saying, on the Friday, ‘We just watched the footage back, we are shocked and horrified, we’re so sorry’. That was to my face on the Friday when we would go in and do the camera rehearsal,” she said.

“It’s out there. There is evidence out there of what happened in that room and I’m not the one who’s blocking it. I’ve said anyone can watch it, but he [Giovanni] doesn’t want anyone to see it, which is quite telling if he’s got nothing to hide.”

Guru-Murthy, who appeared on the same season of Strictly as Abington, replied: “I heard, not from you, from somebody else, about an instance of, I suppose you’d call it humiliating behaviour of a sexual nature, is that right?”

A tearful Abbington replied: “Yeah. I mean, you know, one of the many things.”

Since January, Strictly Come Dancing has found itself at the centre of controversy – and things only seem to be getting worse.

Here is a timeline detailing everything you need to know.

Piers Morgan has made an offer to Strictly Come Dancing producers after numerous scandals hit the much loved dancing competition.

The ex-Good Morning Britain broadcaster, 59, claimed he could “save the day” for the BBC programme amid investigations into ongoing bullying and abuse claims against multiple Strictly professional dancers.

Paralympian Will Bayley appeared on the BBC dancing series in 2019 and was forced to withdraw six weeks in after tearing his knee ligaments in rehearsals.

He is now opening up about his behind-the scenes experience amid a scandal that has shone a spotlight on the show’s duty of care protocols.

Boxer Anthony Ogogo has claimed his time on Strictly Come Dancing was “frustrating” and likened the stressful environment to a “pressure cooker”.

As the reality show continued to battle a scandal over the alleged treatment of participants, Ogogo, who appeared on the BBC show in 2015, said on Sky News: “It is a funny one, the Strictly experience. They got me on the show when I was injured. I had just had shoulder surgery.

“It was weird, they really encouraged me to do it, said the shoulder wouldn’t be an issue and then when I got on the show, the shoulder was the reason I left the show.”

Peter Andre, who appeared on Strictly in 2016, has shared his opinion on the scandal currently rocking the BBC show.

“I’ve been reading a lot about what’s going on with Strictly at the moment but I can really only comment about my own experience on the show,” he wrote in his OK! column.

“I was surrounded by a great bunch of people. We don’t know what is true but accusations are still only accusations until they’re proven.

“On the other hand, things like this just shouldn’t be happening behind closed doors. It’s going to be a difficult time for Strictly and for all those involved.

“The show could be in the spotlight for a different reason this year.”

Strictly’s professional dancers are said to be angry that ex-celebrity partners are “hanging them out to dry”.

As the show’s scandal continues, a source told The Mirror: “It’s causing untold stress and mental anguish to so many of them as every day there are new accusations.

“Yes, one or two of the celebs in the last 20 years might have had a bad experience but they are in a tiny minority. The whole thing smacks of ambulance chasing.”

Former contestant Reverend Richard Coles has said he is “not entirely surprised” after allegations emerged about the treatment of contestants on the popular BBC show.