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Bobby Brazier has broken his silence on the Strictly scandal as he looked back on his time competing in last year’s competition alongside professional partner Dianne Buswell.
The beloved BBC series is currently embroiled in controversy over how professional dancers teach celebrities, with multiple allegations of harassment and abusive behaviour emerging.
EastEnders star Bobby, 21, who finished second behind ex Ellie Leach, said his own experiences did not reflect the reports but that 12-hour training days sometimes led to “disputes”.
He told MailOnline: “My own experience was great and it was everything I expected. I didn’t expect it to be as great as it was.”
‘(Diane and I would do it) We argued here and there, but we laughed, it was just a real balance.
Bobby Brazier, 21, has broken his silence on the Strictly scandal as he recalled his time competing in last year’s competition alongside professional partner Dianne Buswell (pictured February)
EastEnders star Bobby, who finished second behind former Ellie Leach, said his own experiences did not reflect the reports but that training sometimes led to “disputes” (pictured with Dianne)
“It was real, you spend so much time with someone doing something you’ve never done, that’s really hard in a competition… so it’s never going to be one thing completely. I was really grateful that it was all so intense.”
She also shared advice for the latest generation of contestants, including her EastEnders co-star Jamie Borthwick, 30, ahead of training.
Bobby said, ‘Take your lunch breaks and when your pro doesn’t want to stop and you do, take that nap.
‘And ask, humbly ask, politely ask to be gently woken up so that you are in a good mood, ready to dance, instead of tired and angry.’
Bobby spoke to MailOnline on behalf of Mentos to encourage people to rediscover their taste of summer by exploring new tastes and flavours, following the launch of Mentos Discovery with 14 delicious fruit flavours in one roll.
The brand conducted new research that revealed that 64 percent of Gen Z needs excitement to get through the week, but this percentage drops to 28 percent for those over 45.
69 percent of Gen Z feel they have lost certain character traits over time and would be eager to rediscover them, including creativity and adventure, but are still eager to try new flavors with 79 percent identify as adventurous eaters.
Bobby said: ‘I’ve been lucky to have had the opportunity in my career so far to explore different parts of myself and what makes me happy, from modelling on some of the world’s biggest runways to acting and dancing.
‘I’m excited to partner with Mentos to discover their new flavors and tastes and encourage people to do the same.
Bobby told MailOnline: ‘(Dianne and I) would argue here and there but we would laugh, it was just a real balance.’
She also shared advice for new celebrities, including her co-star Jamie Borthwick (pictured), saying: ‘Take your lunch breaks and when your pro doesn’t want to stop and you do, take that nap.’
‘We can get so caught up in everyday life, that we often forget the excitement and butterflies in the stomach that come from putting ourselves out there and trying new things.’
The Strictly scandal broke in January when actress Amanda Abbington accused fellow Strictly contestant Giovanni Pernice of abuse after she unexpectedly quit the show after just five weeks.
Sherlock actress Amanda, 50, has made a series of accusations about Giovanni’s teaching methods and has She described his behaviour as “unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean-spirited.” She strongly denies all the accusations.
In an interview, Amanda compared the dance show to “the trenches” and told Channel 4 News that BBC producers had been left “horrified” by the clips which allegedly also showed “humiliating behaviour of a sexual nature”.
Then in July it emerged that Graziano Di Prima had been sacked from Strictly for “kicking” fellow Love Island star Zara McDermott.
A Strictly source said: ‘Graziano’s abuse was constant, he would kick and punch her. There were multiple occasions where physical and verbal attacks took place. They were more physical than verbal, but it was all appalling.
“There were times when he did terrible things, it was really horrible. What he did makes Giovanni look like a kitten.”
Graziano has since claimed he does not know all the details of what he allegedly did.
The BBC will not give further details due to the “confidential nature of the circumstances” in which the information was provided and its “obligations” to “third parties”.
New contestant Pete Wicks, who was announced last week, is a close friend of Zara, who starred in the 2023 series of Strictly.
Pete has landed a place in the Strictly line-up amid shocking reports that Zara performed on the show with a “broken” leg following an injury in training and needed painkillers to get through ten-hour rehearsals.
Bobby will be making an appearance at the Mentos event on 17 August, where the brand will transform 15 Bateman St, Soho into a vibrant playground of taste, colour and music with a free ‘Pick n Mix’ pop-up event.
The Strictly scandal broke in January when actress Amanda Abbington accused fellow Strictly contestant Giovanni Pernice (both pictured) of abuse after she unexpectedly quit the show.
Then in July it emerged that Graziano Di Prima had been sacked from Strictly for “kicking” fellow Love Island star Zara McDermott.
STRICTLY 2024 LINEUP
Chris McCausland
Age: 46
Profession: Comedian
Chris says: “If anyone is thinking, ‘How the hell is he going to do that?’ rest assured, I’m thinking exactly the same thing.”
Dr. Punam Krishan
Age: unknown
Profession: Family doctor and announcer
Punam says: ‘I’ve watched Strictly every year and it feels even more special that it’s the 20th year, I can’t believe it’s me who’s going to be on Strictly.’
Willcox Toy Store
Age: 66
Profession: Singer, actor, presenter
Toyah says: “I’m so excited and I love this show. Being a part of it, the spray tan and the glow. It’s a landmark year for me. I came in as a retiree, went to Glasto and now I’m spray tanning.”
Pete Wicks
Age: 36
Profession: Reality star
Pete says: “Dancing live in front of the whole country every Saturday? Absolutely terrifying.”
Shayne Neighborhood
Age: 39
Profession: Actor and singer
Shayne says: ‘I’m no stranger to live television, but dancing Latin and ballroom in front of millions of people is a whole new level.’
Tom Dean
Age: 24
Profession: Olympic medal-winning swimmer
Tom says: “I can now officially talk about how excited I am to embark on something new, meet brilliant people and start dancing.”
JB Gill
Age: 37
Profession: Singer
JB says: “A lot of ballroom dance styles are very foreign to me. I didn’t do those dances as a kid. I’m not a professional dancer.”
Wynne Evans
Age: 52
Profession: Opera singer, presenter
Wynne says: ‘The things that make me nervous are the ones that involve jumping, I don’t really want to do the jive, I get nervous about that.
Tasha Ghouri
Age: 25
Profession: Model and reality star
Tasha says: ‘I’ve been watching the show since I was little, it’s a Ghouri family favourite so this is totally a dream come true.’
Sarah Hadland
Age: 53
Profession: Actress
Sarah says: ‘I’m particularly excited to be part of such an iconic show in its 20th year.’
Jamie Borthwick
Age: 30
Profession: EastEnders star
Jamie says: ‘I had a blast making the Christmas special, so when I was asked to take part, the easiest answer was ‘yes!’