Strictly scandal – reside: Laura Whitmore says she ‘raised considerations’ about ‘inappropriate behaviour’ in 2016theinsiderinsight

Former Love Island host Laura Whitmore, who was partnered with skilled dancer Giovanni Pernice in 2016, has alleged she was subjected to “inappropriate behaviour” whereas on Strictly Come Dancing.

It had been reported that Whitmore had made a criticism previously – however this marks the primary time she is publicly commenting.

The presenter, who had an ankle harm in the course of the present, says she “raised considerations” on the time.

Pernice has beforehand denied “threatening or abusive behaviour” allegations made by Sherlock actor Amanda Abbington, who was partnered with him in 2023.

In an Instagram story shared on Saturday (27 July), Whitmore wrote: “I initially raised considerations again in 2016. I believed my expertise was particular to me however I’ve since discovered I used to be incorrect.”

“The intention of that is to indicate a sample of behaviour that I consider must cease.”

She stated: “I’m not searching for something, simply an acceptance that what occurred to me within the rehearsal rooms throughout my time on BBC Strictly was incorrect and that it received’t occur to anybody else once more.”

The tv presenter went on to say she had not made an official criticism and was offering proof of her expertise to assist the BBC’s investigation.

“I do know the BBC and all shops proceed to do their greatest to be higher, however for that to occur we should communicate up,” she stated.

The Impartial has contacted the BBC and Pernice’s representatives for remark.

Graziano Di Prima’s household have stated they’re “deeply involved” for his welfare following his axe from Strictly.

They informed The Mirror: “Graziano is presently underneath medical supervision, with the stress of the scenario inflicting vital concern for his household, who’re monitoring him hourly.

“The unrelenting feeding frenzy over these accusations and his psychological state leaves him presently unable to defend himself.”

His axing from the present arrives after he admitted to kicking his movie star companion, Zara McDermott, within the rehearsal room throughout final 12 months’s collection.

It’s being reported that Zara McDermott danced on Strictly regardless of having fractured her leg in rehearsals.

In response to The Sun, the season 21 contestant made the choice alongside her skilled companion, Graziano Di Prima. The harm occurred earlier than Halloween Week, which is when McDermott was eradicated.

Producers are stated to have solely simply grow to be conscious of the harm.

Amanda Abbington has alleged Strictly’s professional dancers texted her saying “I’m so sorry” after they found she was partnered with Giovanni Pernice forward of final 12 months’s collection.

After the Sherlock star made the declare to her fellow 2023 contestant Krishnan Guru-Murthy throughout a Channel 4 Information interview, he replied: “That’s a very odd factor to do.”

A tearful Abbington stated folks warned her it could be “powerful”, however that she thought she may deal with it “as a result of I’ve been across the block a bit, you already know?”

Discover out all the allegations because the present continues to be underneath intense scrutiny.

“Whereas different actuality exhibits appear to site visitors in exploitation and distress, Strictly has at all times felt like a beacon of niceness,” writes Katie Rosseinsky. “Strictly’s sparkle has been tarnished by alarming accusations regarding at the very least two of its hottest skilled dancers, a double whammy of scandal that has put its standing as one of many nation’s best-loved consolation watches in jeopardy.”

Strictly is going through a contemporary batch of claims immediately as former crew members from the manufacturing staff allege sexist and sexualised feedback, and a “tense, poisonous and uncomfortable” working surroundings.

A supply has informed The Solar that the BBC probe into Giovanni Pernice’s behaviour may conclude “inside the subsequent week”.

Talking to the newspaper, the nameless supply stated: “Inside conferences are taking place on an virtually each day foundation, and BBC execs live in worry of a ­‘smoking gun’ second – one thing that irreversibly undermines and damages all the model, and brings Strictly crashing down.

“They’re doing all they’ll to detoxify the present – new measures and protocol are in place to safeguard – they usually hope to formally conclude the on­going probe inside the subsequent week.”

The Impartial has contacted the BBC for remark.

In a brand new interview, Abbington’s father John, 77, stated he’s “worrying” about his daughter on a regular basis.

“It’s the after-effects I fear about too. Will she be capable of keep on together with her profession?’’

He stated his daughter is “no snowflake” and has “thick pores and skin” from her days coaching at drama college.

John stated he and Abbington’s mom, Patsy, had been wanting ahead to seeing their daughter on the dancing present, but it surely rapidly transpired she wasn’t having fun with it.

“We had been all wanting ahead to it. After the primary present, she got here again and stated it was the toughest factor she’d ever accomplished. Issues solely received worse from there,” he stated.

“I knew one thing was incorrect together with her as a result of I may see the change in her,” stated Patsy. “She had fully modified.”

John stated that Abbington’s companion, Jonathan Goodwin, needed to “coax” the actor into the automobile every day to get her to the Strictly coaching rooms as a result of she “hated it a lot”.

“She missed per week as a result of she was not nicely, and went again for one week and realised then that she couldn’t take what was taking place to her,” John defined. “Then [her doctor] recognized her with put up traumatic stress dysfunction.”