BBC star Melanie Sykes hits out at channel in sweary rant about ex-bosses amid Strictly scandal
MELANIE Sykes has let rip at BBC bosses in a scathing rant as telly bosses are plunged into fresh Strictly Come Dancing scandal.
The former Des and Mel broadcaster, 53, didn’t hold back as she uttered a series of swear words during her explosive chat – before accusing show bosses of branding the audience “the great unwashed.”
Mel made her comments on Russel Quirk’s TalkTV show in a debate about whether the BBC should be defunded.
It came at the same time the organisation was plunged into turmoil after a fourth Strictly Come Dancing star was drawn into a misconduct probe.
Judge Anton du Beke, 58 – who ignored the scandal to celebrate his birthday on-tour on Saturday – has been accused of showcasing “1970s behaviour” towards previous dance partner Laila Rouass, 53.
Strictly professional Giovanni Pernice, 33, quit the BBC show earlier this year and is currently under investigation by the BBC over misconduct after complaints were filed by several of his former celebrity dance partners.
The same case also saw his fellow Italian professional Graziano Di Prima axed after allegations of “physical incidents” towards show partner Zara McDermott, 27.
Now Let’s Do Lunch anchor Mel has further stuck the knife into the BBC.
She bluntly said in the TV segment: “I’ve heard people in power at the BBC talk about the audience as the great unwashed.
“That’s how much they respect you – which is zero.”
The former Big Breakfast anchor continued: “If they think they’re making fantastic television they’re deluded.
“And remember they do their own programmes to big themselves up to give themselves awards for what they do as well.
“So it’s patting their own back and generating the money.
“They’re happy but you are left feeling like you’ve been entertained – are you f***ing kidding me?”
She then took a pause for a drink before continuing to lambast the corporation.
The Sun has gone to the BBC for comment.
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”.
Fans on X appeared to back Mel, with one gushing: “Bravo Melanie Sykes.”
A second put: “Big Respect to her.”
Last year, Mel opened up on “inappropriate” comments made towards her by Keith Lemon.
She said telly bosses “ignored” her complaints at the time.
Mel claimed Keith, real name Leigh Francis, made a series of sexual jokes about her in front of a live audience in 2018.
The TV presenter says that one of these gags included Keith saying: “I bet your a*****e smells of flowers.”
Mel has criticised Keith before and slammed the Celebrity Juice host as “basic and limited” while discussing “disappointing” men.
During a chat with Frank Magazine, Mel explained she felt “sorry” for British men as she let rip on the ITV2 star.
Keith previously hit back the claims saying her barbed remarks hadn’t stopped him winning “two Baftas and two NTAs.”
Meanwhile, last year, Mel told how she had quit the TV industry for good.
The telly favourite, who has been diagnosed with autism, detailed the “horror” she had faces as a woman in the industry in her new autobiography.
In a chat with The Guardian, the tee-total star said: “Women that ask for certain boundaries can be misconstrued as difficult.
“Many men ask for what they want, which is great, but we should be allowed the same courtesy. It is our right to equality.
“But if you challenge their status quo, you are considered a problem.”
