The Strictly Come Dancing stars raised eyebrows on Wednesday night when they picked up the National Television Award for Talent Show despite their year of scandal and controversy.
Amid fears for the show’s future following abuse allegations levelled at professional dancers Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima, presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman were both elated and shocked when the BBC show was revealed to be the winner.
The pair held hands and jumped up and down before celebrating with professional dancers and former contestants as the team put aside the numerous scandals that have plagued it this year.
However, in a very awkward moment, the award was presented by Zara McDermott’s boyfriend Sam Thompson and his friend Pete Wicks, amid the drama surrounding former professional Graziano Di Prima.
The Italian dancer was sensationally axed from the show following allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards TV personality Zara, who he was paired with in 2023 – he was said to have kicked her during training.
The Strictly Come Dancing stars raised eyebrows on Wednesday night when they picked up the National Television Award for Talent Show despite their year of scandal and controversy.
However, in a very awkward moment, the award was presented by Zara McDermott’s boyfriend Sam Thompson and his friend Pete Wicks amid the drama surrounding former professional Graziano Di Prima.
Sam and Pete, who is taking part in Strictly this year, paused to look at each other in a fleetingly awkward moment before regaining their composure and jointly announcing Strictly as the winner.
Taking to the stage, host Tess held on to the floor as she made her speech, telling the audience: “All of us who work on this show would like to say the biggest, heartfelt thank you to every single person who watched us at home and voted for us. It means so much!”
‘This Saturday we celebrate our 20th anniversary, 20 years, on Strictly with our launch show. So this is a wonderful gift.’
Presenting duo Tess and Claudia also praised the show’s “wonderful” team and said the win “meant everything”.
The BBC show beat Britain’s Got Talent, The Great British Bake Off, MasterChef and The Voice to take home one of the night’s top prizes.
The NTAs are voted for by the public, and Strictly’s win is a clear sign that viewers continue to support the show as it prepares to return for its 20th series on Saturday night.
Meanwhile, Zara stepped out at the awards ceremony showing off her incredible figure in a revealing fishtail dress that featured a plunging neckline as she posed with her partner Sam.
The reality star was at the centre of a scandal when images of her former professional partner Graziano’s abuse of her were discovered.
Amid fears for the show’s future following abuse allegations levelled at professional dancers Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima, presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman were both elated and shocked when the BBC show was revealed to be the winner.
The cast and crew couldn’t hide their joy as the show beat Britain’s Got Talent, The Great British Bake Off, Masterchef and The Voice to take home the night’s big prize.
Hosts Tess and Claudia anxiously awaited the result before being revealed as the winners.
The win comes amid claims BBC bosses are filled with “panic and concern” over the publication of a report into Amanda Abbington and her former Strictly dance partner Giovanni Pernice.
The actress has accused the dancer of harassment, which he denies. But the Mail can reveal there are concerns within the Corporation about how both parties will react when the results of the investigation are revealed.
High-level meetings have been held between bosses as they decide how to present their findings, as they fear the looming possibility of legal action from Ms Abbington, 52, or Mr Pernice if either of them is disappointed with the outcome.
A source told the Mail: “This is a complete disaster and the BBC is at a loss as to what to do to improve the situation.”
‘There is a lot of panic and concern that whoever is favoured will actually favour the BBC, so every word of what is published gives no one a chance to complain.
“They literally don’t know what to do, so the process is getting delayed more and more. (CEO) Tim Davie is a good guy, but he’s impossible to manage.”
Giovanni has been at the centre of a BBC investigation into allegations of off-camera misconduct by his partner Amanda, 50, and two other former celebrity dance partners.
He has vehemently denied the allegations.
The investigation is expected to be published in the coming days and emails, text messages and WhatsApp messages from BBC staff have reportedly been examined as part of the harassment probe.
Crew members have had their phones searched for references to Giovanni or Amanda in an attempt to gather evidence.
The Mirror revealed that the freedom of information request was reportedly made by Amanda’s team to the BBC to provide any data or personal information that could shed light on her relationship with Giovanni.
The results of the £250,000 investigation will be published just days before the 20th anniversary series begins.
Fellow dancer Graziano Di Prima has been fired from the show following similar allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards TV personality Zara McDermott, who he was paired with in 2023.
A source told the publication: “People complied in hopes that it would debunk any claims of a cover-up.”
Fellow dancer Graziano has since been fired from the show following similar allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards TV personality Zara McDermott, who he was paired with in 2023.
Confirming his departure on Instagram, Graziano wrote: “I deeply regret the events that led to my departure from Strictly. My intense passion and determination to win may have affected my training regime.
‘While I respect the BBC’s HR process, I recognise that for the sake of the programme it is right that I step away. I am saddened that I have not been allowed to give a quote to Online News and appreciate the sensitivity of the situation.