Strictly Come Dancing boss ‘fighting for her job’ as pro dancers also face the chop amid show scandals
STRICTLY Come Dancing’s boss is thought to be “fighting for her job” as the show continues to be hit by fresh new scandals.
It has emerged that Suzy Lamb, who is the BBC dancing show’s most senior boss, could be about to lose her vital role on the show amid a slew of scandals regarding conduct on the programme.
Suzy is in charge of all of BBC Studio’s entertainment programmes – including Strictly – but she could see her position axed as part of a new company restructure at the BBC.
According to the Mail Online, the recent Strictly scandals could “harm” her chance of getting the newly created merged role at the corporation.
Suzy’s position as the Managing Director of Entertainment is understood to be merging with the Managing Director of Factual Entertainment role currently held by Hannah Wyatt with only one of the women able to secure the top role.
The position will see the chosen woman in charge of all of BBC Studios’ unscripted entertainment output.
However, insiders have told the Mail that Suzy could be unlikely to get the role amid the current scandals which they say have been “damaging” to her career.
The source told the publication: “The Strictly scandal has been very damaging to Suzy.
“She’s the top boss so the buck stops with her.
“There’s clearly been a culture behind the scenes on the show, and with every former contestant that speaks out, it all comes back to Suzy.”
Both Suzy and her counterpart Hannah joined the BBC in 2017 and have a wealth of experience at the corporation.
A BBC insider further added to The Sun: “BBC Studios is proposing to bring unscripted entertainment production businesses together to form one business that will deliver Live Events, Music, Lifestyle, Entertainment, Factual Entertainment, and new BBC-owned global formats.
“The exact new structure is being worked through in consultation right now and hasn’t concluded.
“It would be wrong to speculate on the outcome of this process given it hasn’t concluded.”
The Sun has contacted the BBC for comment.
Strictly has been rocked by countless scandals over the past few months after pro Giovanni Pernice left the programme amid an investigation into his conduct on the show after a series of complaints from his former celebrity partners.
The investigation was prompted by actress Amanda Abbington who spoke out about her time dancing with Gio on the show which she said left her with PTSD.
Graziano Di Prima was sacked from the programme last week after bosses deemed his conduct with Love Island star Zara McDermott after he was alleged to have “kicked” her during rehearsals.
The Sun has since told how a further five pro dancers could be AXED next year amid the internal crisis facing the Saturday night favourite.
Execs believe the misconduct being alleged could be fuelled by popular, veteran stars feeling they are “entitled and untouchable.”
Giovanni, 33, was on the BBC One show for nine years and Graziano, 30, for five.
Other pros have been there for longer.
A TV insider said yesterday: “There isn’t much they can do to change the line up for this year’s crisis-hit show, but the feeling is that Strictly needs to make a fresh start in 2025.
“There’s the fear that being on the show leaves them more open to feeling entitled and untouchable.
“So for many of the pros turning up for rehearsals this week, it may be their last time.
“It’s not a done deal, and it’s not just going to be a case of the oldest or longest-serving being shown the door. It would be a carefully considered process, with other factors taken into account too.
Giovanni Pernice Strictly scandal timeline
October 2023: Amanda abruptly withdraws from Strictly having already missed one live show. Her departure is announced in a vague BBC statement that ‘wishes her the best’.
Giovanni posts a short message on social media addressing the exit, which read: “Amanda… I am so sad we can’t continue but I am proud of what we achieved and I am sending you so much love.”
Amanda then shares her own farewell statement on Instagram thanking co-stars but failing to mention Gio.
Giovanni’s dad Piero insists there were no signs of a fall out and the pairing could have gone all the way. He praised his son as kind and polite.
November 2023: Giovanni is reportedly gutted by the situation and is considering his Strictly future as questions are raised about his conduct.
January 2024: Amanda’s PTSD diagnosis comes to light and she demands CCTV from rehearsals to prove that Giovanni’s training methods weren’t acceptable.
The BBC issues a statement defending its duty of care to contestants, insisting it takes any claims of wrongdoing very seriously.
The Corporation stands by its man after emergency meeting
March 2024: Giovanni publicly states he has no intention of leaving Strictly in a TV interview with close pal Anton du Beke.
Ranvir Singh and Laura Whitmore enter the picture. Allegedly the two celebs, who were both previously partnered with Giovanni on Strictly, didn’t feel the BBC took their issues with his methods seriously enough.
The pair have a closed meeting with Amanda where tears are said to be shed.
May 2024: We reveal Giovanni is leaving the programme after having talks with show bosses
He leaves the country with girlfriend Molly Brown on holiday
The BBC launches an internal investigation after three complainants instruct lawyers. A source describes it as a “nightmare situation”.
“The fact that the BBC are even considering making big changes and bringing in fresh blood is a sign of how keen they are to move on and make every effort to ensure nothing like this happens again.
“That could mean saying goodbye to some of the best-known pros — both male and female — but when it comes to Strictly, nobody is ever bigger than the show.”
The longest-serving pro is Karen Hauer, who first appeared in 2012, and at 42 is also the oldest. Neil Jones is two weeks younger.
He joined Strictly in 2016 along with Gorka Marquez, 33, and Katya Jones, 35.
Together with Giovanni and Nadiya Bychkova, 34, who signed up in 2017, they are all considered veterans.