The BBC show has been engulfed by drama since Giovanni was suspended after his celebrity partner Amanda accused him of abusive behaviour, saying he was 'cruel and mean'. He denies the claims.
Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood waded into the allegations Amanda Abbington made against Giovanni Pernice during an appearance on This Morning.
Craig said: 'When the story erupted and came out in the press, I was shocked along with all the other judges and I couldn't quite believe it because we meet the pros and we meet the celebrities on occasion throughout the show. But we're very separate. 'Of course I've watched the Amanda tape and all that sort of stuff. I'm just blown away by the whole situation. Completely and utterly shocked by the whole situation.'
He explained: 'I think putting chaperones in is a really great idea. I think it's a good thing chaperones are going in because it not only protects the dancer or the pro, it protects the celebrity as well as the production team.' Earlier this month it was revealed TOWIE star Pete Wicks has signed up, despite the news his close pal Zara McDermott was physically and verbally abused by her professional dance partner Graziano Di Prima last year.
Famous names on the list included Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham, Coronation Street star Shobna Gulati, Loose Women presenter Janet Street-Porter, Blue singer Duncan James and Tracy Beaker Returns star Kia Pegg. The final names were reportedly actor Sunil Patel, radio presenter Jordan North, former professional footballer Jermaine Jenas and EastEnders star Shona McGarty.When contacted about the alleged list, Strictly representatives at the BBC told MailOnline that celebrity contestants for this series will be announced in due course.
According to The Observer, production workers at the hit dance series have alleged they were grilled on their 'sex lives'. 'We act speedily when any concerns are raised, and we have thorough, effective and longstanding processes to manage them. We do not recognise the claims relating to a negative workplace culture.'
Addressing his exit from the show, a 'devastated' Di Prima wrote on Instagram: 'I deeply regret the events that led to my departure from Strictly' Yet, in a dramatic twist in the Strictly saga, the actress has claimed Giovanni tried to stop her legal team from accessing the video 'evidence' after producers were forced to put cameras in the dance studio after Amanda raised concerns.
Strictly celebrities will reportedly be required to undergo weekly psychological tests on the upcoming series The actress said that cameras were installed into her and Giovanni's rehearsal studio after she raised concerns after the first week of practice with producers wanting to review the footage each week to assess what was 'going on' between the pair.'So in the first week, I raised my concerns to the producers,' the actress explained, as she fought back tears.
Tvshowbiz Craigrevelhorwood Craig Revel Horwood Amanda Abbington BBC
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