All the Strictly scandals: From bullying claims to 'curse' affairs

Strictly Come Dancing is back next week, bringing it with all the usual glitter, pizzazz and show-stopping routines.

However, coming hand-in-hand with the fabulous dancers and larger-than-life judges, is drama that sometimes can overshadow the show itself.

Former contestant Rev Richard Coles has previously called the BBC hit a “wonderful show with a dark heart”.

Strictly Come Dancing is back next week

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As we gear up for the new season, let’s take a look back at all the scandals across the show’s run, and hope that the upcoming series is in for a much smoother ride.

Amanda Abbington accuses Giovani Pierce of bullying

The BBC show was the subject of a review in 2024 after Amanda Abbington, 52, alleged her professional partner, Giovanni Pernice, had bullied and harassed her during the 2023 series.

The actor, who prematurely quit the show, branded her partner as "unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean", claims of which Pernice rejected.

Amanda Abbington (Ian West/PA)

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The professional dancer, who was removed from that year’s lineup after the claims, welcomed the conclusion of the review, in which the corporation upheld some but not all of the complaints.

Pernice’s former dance partners Good Morning Britain host Ranvir Singh and former Love Island presenter Laura Whitmore, also came forward detailing “inapprorpriate behaviour”. Pernice was outspoken in his defence, saying that he’s a “perfectionist” and that he likes to win.

He left the show in 2024 after nine years as a dancer.

Giovanni Pernice was the subject of a BBC investigation after Amanda Abbington made numerous allegations about his behaviour

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Abbington was awarded an out-of-court settlement. with the five-figure sum paid by BBC Studios, meaning the funds did not come from the licence fee.

The BBC also apologised to Abbington, which she called a "vindication of [her] complaint". A spokesperson for Pernice said that he was "pleased" the report "has not found any evidence of threatening or abusive behaviour.”

Graziano Di Prima ‘kicks’ Zara McDermott

In 2024, former Love Island contestant Zara McDermott said that her 2023 dance partner, Strictly pro Graziano Di Prima had kicked and spat on her during rehearsals. This came after the BBC launched an official probe into the Pernice claims.

Zara McDermott arrives for the Pride of Britain Awards with Graziano Di Prima

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McDermott put up an Instagram Story where she wrote: “Reports have been made about my treatment on the show and there were witnesses to some events, as well as some videos of particular incidents which are incredibly distressing to watch.

“I have wrestled with the fear of opening up - I was scared about public backlash, I was scared about my future, I was scared of victim shaming. But after a lot of conversations with those I love, I've gained the strength to face these fears, and when I was asked to speak to the BBC, I spoke candidly about my time on the show.”

Footage allegedly showing the incident was reportedly distressing to those who viewed it, leading BBC bosses to remove Di Prima from the upcoming series.

Zara McDermott and Graziano Di Prima on Strictly Come Dancing

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Following the announcement Di Prima took to Instagram to share his heartbreak. He said: "I deeply regret the events that led to my departure from Strictly. My intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime.

"While respecting the BBC HR process, I acknowledge it's only right for the sake of the show that I step away. I am saddened that I wasn't allowed to offer a quote to the online news stories, and I take on board the sensitivity of the situation."

A spokesman for the Di Prima admitted the dancer kickied McDermott once during rehearsals, saying "He knows he's made a mistake. He apologised at the time."

Seann Walsh and Katya Jones caught kissing

Comedian Seann Walsh and his professional dance partner Katya Jones set the internet ablaze in 2018 with a scandalous kiss.

The pair called the kiss a one-off mistake

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At the time, Walsh was in a five-year relationship with actress Rebecca Humphries, whilst Jones was married to fellow professional dancer on the show Neil Jones.

To make matters worse, the kiss took place on Humphries’ birthday.

The controversy went from bad to worse when Humphries spoke out about what had gone on, alleging that Walsh had called her a “psycho” for suggesting that something might be going on between him and Jones, despite fans noticing their undeniable chemistry.

At the time, Walsh was in a five-year relationship with actress Rebecca Humphries

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The pair appeared on the BBC Two spin-off show It Takes Two to address the situation, which they called a one-off mistake. They were voted off the show a few weeks later in October 2018.

The following year, Jones and Neil announced their separation, though claimed it had nothing to do with the kissing scandal.

Jamie Borthwick axed from EastEnders after ableist comment

Borthwick was dropped from EastEnders in September 2025 after it emerged that he was using an ableist slur against people with disabilities on the set of Strictly Come Dancing.

A video emerged of the actor, who played Jay Brown on the soap, using the term to describe the people of Blackpool, the town where the show was being filmed, The Sun on Sunday first reported.

Jamie Borthwick used the term to describe the people of Blackpool

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Borthwick is said to have made the offensive remark on a phone video while the Strictly cast were at Blackpool Tower Ballroom last November.

A spokesperson for the broadcaster said: “This language is entirely unacceptable and in no way reflects the values or standards we hold and expect at the BBC.

“We have robust processes in place for this.”

Borthwick apologised for “any offence and upset”.

Wynne Evans loses BBC contract over sexual tour comment

The Welsh opera singer, 53, known for the Go.Compare insurance advertisements, was dropped from his BBC radio hosting gig after it emerged that he used “inappropriate language” during the launch of the Strictly Come Dancing tour.

Wynne Evans and Katya Jones during the Strictly Come Dancing – The Live Tour launch

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Evans was recorded making a sexual remark at the Birmingham Arena as the group prepared for a photo on stage in December 2024.

The BBC said Evans “is not returning to the mid-morning show on BBC Radio Wales and there are currently no plans to work with him”.

Evans apologised for his language, which he called “inappropriate and unacceptable”.

He said his words were “totally stupid” and that he “paid the ultimate price in terms of my career”, revealing he had tried to take his own life following intense backlash.

Wynne Evans opened up about his suicide attempt

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The singer added: “I went on a dancing show and ended up trying to take my own life, I did end up in hospital, somebody phoned me, rang an ambulance, and luckily for me, I'm here today.”

Anton Du Beke caught up in racism row

The then professional dancer, since turned judge, was caught up in a race row back in 2009 when it emerged that he called his partner Laila Rouass a “p***”.

The dancer reportedly said Rouass, who has an Indian mother and Moroccan father, "looked like a p***” after she turned up to a rehearsal with a spray tan.

The remark caused the Footballers’ Wives star to storm out of rehearsals.

Anton Du Beke apologised for the comment, which he said was ‘said in jest’

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Apologising for the comment, which Du Beke said was made in “jest”, the dancer added: ““I must say immediately and categorically that I am not a racist and that I do not use racist language.

“During the course of rehearsals, Laila and I have exchanged a great deal of banter entirely in jest, and two weeks ago there was an occasion when this term was used between the two of us.

“There was no racist intent whatsoever but I accept that it is a term which causes offence and I regret my use of it, which was done without thought or consideration of how others would react.”

The Strictly Curse: Kevin Clifton, Karen Hauer and Stacey Dooley

Professional dancer Kevin Clifton, who was on the show from 2013 until 2019, was married to fellow Strictly pro Karen Hauer from 2015 until 2018.

Kevin Clifton and Stacey Dooley won in 2018

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However, despite appearing like a closely knit couple, they decided to separate and by the time the 2018 series kicked off, Clifton was still reeling from the divorce.

Partnered with Stacey Dooley, Clifton and the documentary maker went on to win the show with their impressive range of routines.

“I just want to say thank you to you... not just for the beautiful dancing... You helped me fall in love with dancing again,” he told Dooley as they lifted the Glitterball Trophy together.

Kevin Clifton, who was on the show from 2013 until 2019, was married to fellow Strictly pro Karen Hauer from 2015 until 2018.

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Hauer told The Mirror last year that she had wanted to salvage the relationship, saying: “I would have never let go of it” and that she would have fought for the marriage. But it seems Clifton hadn’t felt the same, starting a relationship with his dance partner Dooley shortly after their win.

After a year of dating, Clifton announced in 2020 that he would not be returning to the show and the pair welcomed their first child, a daughter called Minnie, at the start of 2023.

Arlene Phillips ageism row

The choreographer and former professional dancer was a judge on Strictly Come Dancing from its debut in 2004.

However, in 2009, she was replaced by Alesha Dixon, then 30, in a move that shocked many fans and pundits.

Allegations soon emerged that the then 65-year-old was dropped due to her age, however the BBC vehemently denied that her contract was not renewed for that reason.

The choreographer and former professional dancer was a judge on Strictly Come Dancing from its debut in 2004

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In a cruel twist of fate, Phillips’ agent died the day before she found out she was not being invited back. She told the Sunday Times: “I no longer had a place on Strictly, but no agent, no one, to deal with it.”

She added: “It was a really awful moment. I loved Strictly.”

Will Bayley receives injury he’ll ‘never get over’

The table tennis champion told The Sun that his coach had also told the show beforehand that he ‘can't do jumps’

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Paralympian Will Bayley revealed that he was left with injuries he'll “never get over” after performing a dance routine on Strictly.

Speaking out on his negative experience on the show following the bullying allegations, Bayley, who appeared in the show in 2019, said he hurt himself performing a jump that he “didn’t want to do”.

The table tennis champion told The Sun that his coach had also told the show beforehand that he “can't do jumps”.

Bayley was born with arthrogryposis which affects all four of his limbs and limits the range of motion in the joints.

A BBC spokesman said it had “longstanding protocols for dealing with injuries if they occur and that includes contestants receiving all necessary treatment and support as required”.