BBC bosses have ‘pulled the plug’ on Strictly Come Dancing’s professional tour in a bid to rebuild the beleaguered brand after allegations of behind-the-scenes bullying led to an ongoing misconduct investigation, sources claim.
The popular tour is understood to be on hold until 2026, with producers apparently concerned about the work-hard-and-play spirit employed by the professionals between shows.
The move, which has yet to be officially announced, comes as the BBC prepares to publish the results of a £250,000 investigation into workplace misconduct.
Former celebrity contestant Amanda Abbington had previously accused Sicilian ballroom dancer Giovanni Pernice (a fan favourite) of bullying her during rehearsals.
Long-running star Giovanni has since been axed and will not be taking part in the show’s upcoming 20th anniversary series (its 22nd in total) when it launches on September 14.
BBC bosses have pulled the plug on Strictly Come Dancing’s professional tour in a bid to rebuild the beleaguered brand following allegations of behind-the-scenes bullying
It is understood the popular tour will be on hold until 2026 as producers are apparently concerned about the work-hard-and-play spirit the professionals employ between shows.
A source who worked on the live theater productions said: The sun: ‘Strictly is trying to rebuild itself as a brand and The Professionals tour was known for being a hotbed of drinking and partying.
‘Professional dancers work hard and have a lot of fun, but with everything that’s happened recently, it seems like cutting it out eliminates the possibility of further problems arising.
‘People who usually work on The Professionals tour have been told it’s cancelled.’
A spokesperson for the tour said: ‘Due to artist availability, Strictly The Professionals’ UK tour will take a break next year and plans for 2026 are currently being finalised.
‘Tickets for the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour 2025 will go on sale soon and booking information will be announced in the coming weeks.’
The Professionals show took place over the spring and summer following the Strictly Live! tour earlier in the year, which featured both the professionals and their celebrity partners.
Organised by BBC Studios, the tour is choreographed by Strictly’s creative director Jason Gilkison and features performance professionals including Nadiya Bychkova, Vitto Coppola, Katya Jones, Neil Jones and Luba Mushtuck.
Giovanni had also previously taken part in the tour before being suspended pending a BBC investigation into allegations of off-camera misconduct made by his partner Amanda and two other former celebrity dance partners.
The move, which has yet to be officially announced, comes as the BBC prepares to publish the results of a £250,000 investigation into workplace misconduct.
The results of the investigation will be published a few days before the 20th anniversary series begins.
Giovanni 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 It has been revealed that Amanda’s team are understood to have made a freedom of information request to the BBC to provide any data or personal information that might shed light on her relationship with Giovanni.
A source told the publication: “People complied in hopes that it would debunk any claims of a cover-up.”
Amanda previously said she would ‘cry and throw up’ after returning home from rehearsals with Giovanni.
Amanda previously said she would “cry and throw up” after returning home from rehearsals with Giovanni.
Crew members have had their phones searched for references to Giovanni or Amanda in an attempt to gather evidence.
Speaking to The Times, Abbington said he has since received death threats from fans of the Italian dancer, whose long-term future on Strictly remains uncertain.
She said: ‘I’ve had the worst experience. The show was tough and horrible, but I didn’t expect the consequences. It’s been really brutal and it hasn’t stopped.
“It’s been horrible, relentless. I’ve been threatened with death and rape for simply standing up for something I thought was wrong.”
The actress also admitted she felt nauseous after completing rehearsals with Pernice, a fan favourite who had appeared on Strictly for eight years before his suspension.
Amanda’s husband, Jonathan Goodwin, a former escape artist who was left paralysed in 2021 after a TV stunt went horribly wrong, also corroborated her claim of physical illness.
She added: “He would say, ‘Yeah, you’d come home and throw up, cry and think you weren’t good enough. You were a shadow, a shell.'”
The investigation that began with allegations against Giovanni has expanded following more complaints surrounding the hit show.
This has caused even more uproar for Strictly, which is considered the jewel in the corporation’s crown and is still watched by more than ten million people.
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.
Sources told the Mail that the allegations prompted bosses to widen the investigation to look into other matters and individuals involved with the dance series as it prepares for its 20th anniversary.
It means Giovanni, who has already made his frustrations about the investigation clear, has faced an even longer wait for an outcome after three former dance partners, including Amanda, ordered their lawyers to lodge “serious complaints” about his conduct.
It also threatens to damage Strictly, the BBC’s biggest Saturday night hit since The Generation Game.
A TV source previously told the Mail: ‘This investigation is no longer just about Giovanni, it is about wider issues. The show has been running for 20 years and the whole look of Strictly is so glossy and charming that of course there will always be people who feel wronged.
‘Amanda’s complaints have started something massive, they have opened the door for others to come forward and express things they are not happy with.
‘It’s a huge headache for the BBC, which is about to celebrate a major milestone: its 20th anniversary.
‘The complaint against Giovanni has already been a big enough problem, but now it seems there is more to examine and analyze.’
Sources close to Giovanni say he fully expects to be exonerated.
Experts also say the expanded investigation will now portray the Sicilian star as possibly a “minor fish” in Strictly’s potential downfall.
He quit the show after Sherlock and Mr Selfridge star Amanda claimed he bullied her during training – claims he denies.
In May it was revealed that she had hired London law firm Carter Ruck to represent her against the BBC.
A source told the publication: “The BBC is under enormous pressure to finish this investigation before September 14, when the new series begins.”
Fellow dancer Graziano Di Prima was fired from the show following similar allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards TV personality Zara McDermott, with whom he was paired 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.
“There is more to this story that I cannot comment on at this time, but I am committed to staying strong for my family and friends. I wish the Strictly family every success in the future.”
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