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Strictly bosses have “required all professional dancers to undergo anti-bullying training” ahead of this year’s talent show amid a misconduct investigation.
BBC sources claim a new clause has been added to professional casts’ contracts stipulating they must complete training if they wish to continue in the ballroom show.
Insiders also added that bosses are taking the new rules “very seriously”.
The BBC is seeking to strengthen its duty of care towards contestants after three celebrities complained to their lawyers about alleged misconduct while competing on the show.
The results of an investigation into the conduct of former professional dancer Giovanni Pernice, who denies any wrongdoing, are expected to be made public imminently.
Strictly bosses have “required all professional dancers to undergo formal anti-bullying training” ahead of this year’s talent show following recent allegations of misconduct.
BBC sources say a new clause has been added to the contracts of professional cast members stipulating that they must complete training if they wish to continue in the ballroom show.
Giovanni, 33, quit the show in May amid allegations of misconduct, while Graziano Di Prima, 30, was booted from the show after it emerged he had physically and verbally abused his ex-partner Zara McDermott, 27, during rehearsals.
Following her departure, BBC bosses announced they would introduce companions into the training room and hire welfare staff to support stars and offer “additional training” to cast and crew.
A BBC source said: The mirrorBy making this training mandatory, the BBC is sending a very clear message to everyone involved in the programme: that this behaviour will not be tolerated.
‘The recent allegations and complaints have rocked Strictly, but they are determined not to derail the project.’
“They will do everything they can to prevent misconduct from occurring in the future. They are taking these new rules very seriously and anyone who does not comply will be removed in an instant.”
News of the new clause comes after Giovanni’s former dance partner Amanda Abbington, 50, told how she suffered “mild PTSD” following her time on the show.
Amanda, who has since openly condemned the dancer’s “disgusting” behaviour, went on to instruct Carter Ruck’s lawyers on her claims, and was joined by several other complainants.
In response, Giovanni commissioned law firm Schillings to defend him, while the BBC launched an internal investigation in which a team of former police officers was tasked with gathering evidence.
BBC seeks to strengthen its duty of care towards contestants after three celebrities complained to their lawyers about alleged misconduct (Strictly in 2023)
The results of an investigation into the behaviour of former professional dancer Giovanni Pernice (pictured), who denies any wrongdoing, are expected to be made public imminently.
Giovanni, 33, left the show in May amid allegations of misconduct, while Graziano Di Prima, 30, was booted from the show after it emerged he had abused Zara (pictured).
Laura Whitmore, who was Giovanni’s partner in 2016, also revealed earlier this month that she and six other people had spoken to the BBC about Amanda’s allegation against the dancer.
In a statement, Laura, 39, said she felt compelled to speak out publicly because of the “victim humiliation” the Sherlock actress experienced.
A second source also added that the BBC has “not ruled out” making further changes to its duty of care policy.
MailOnline has contacted a Strictly representative for comment.
This comes after BBC director general Tim Davie, 57, apologised to Strictly celebrities whose experience on the show was not “wholly positive” as he addressed the bullying scandal that has engulfed the programme.
Speaking at the launch of the BBC’s annual report, Mr Davie said there would inevitably be “competition, hard work and a will to do well” in the programme, but added that “the line must never be crossed”.
She added that she was looking forward to the new series amid uncertainty over the show’s future with reports that five professional dancers are in danger of being fired following recent allegations of misconduct.
