‘The bubble has burst’ say fans as they slam BBC over Will Bayley’s shocking injury and ‘lack of duty of care’
STRICTLY Come Dancing viewers insist the show’s glitter-filled bubble has “burst” after the full extent of Will Bayley’s shocking injury story was revealed.
The Paralympian, 36, exclusively opened up on the horror ordeal – which required him to undergo surgery – in an interview with The Sun this weekend.
Will starred in Strictly‘s 2019 series alongside professional Janette Manrara, who now fronts spin-off show It Takes Two.
He told us how the Spanish mum of one blasted a jump in rehearsals as “rubbish” – yet when he leapt from the table again – he heard his leg crack and suffered “horrific pain.”
The table tennis ace said bosses made him feel like it was his fault, with his torn knee ligaments then forcing him to pull out of the series entirely.
After he added his complaint into Strictly‘s investigation, citing a duty of care, he has now demanded an apology from the BBC during a chat on This Morning.
Now fans are suggesting the show has been tarnished for good, with one taking to Reddit to write: “If any of the scandals could sink the show, I think this is the one. F**ked up from start to finish.
“Shame on the whole sorry shambles.”
A second put: “This just get worse and worse. I really do think this may be the end for Strictly.”
A third then put: “Wow. This pretty much rips up any attempts the show has made to be disability-inclusive if this is how they treated him.”
One then posted: “I’ve always been a bit hopeful with Strictly where they have brought in disabled celebs and generally seemed to work well with them, but now I am curious just what their experiences were behind the scenes.”
Another then mused: “I’m quite taken aback by this. He has been treated badly with no care.
“This has really made me think twice about tuning in again.”
A show fan then concluded: “This is getting worse and worse for the BBC, and assuming everything that’s come out so far is true, and that there are probably still more accounts to come out yet, they really aren’t coming out of this well, are they?”
This week, mum of one Janette issued a statement on the incident from five years ago.
A spokesman for Janette told The Sun: “Janette had a great time dancing with Will and one of her favourite moments on the show was doing their contemporary couples choice.
How might Strictly's scandal affect the show's future?
By PR expert, Nick Ede
THE Strictly Glitterball has been tarnished by the revelations about Graziano and Gio and there is no going back for the show.
With other celebrities making their feelings known daily, this is not how the BBC saw their flagship show going into its next season, celebrating its 20th anniversary.
This dark cloud will forever change the show and all eyes will be on the dancers, the celebrities, their relationships and dynamics.
I am sure, with precautions being made, there will be less spark with the stars and this will, too, be a shame as the chemistry is something the audiences love and talk about.
Strictly is a bright star and one of the biggest shows on the planet. Not only does it bring families together, it has an effect that can be felt UK-wide with people up and down the country tuning in to enjoy it.
Also, it’s important not to tarsnish everyone on the show with the same brush.
Most of the professional dancers have had an impeccable record and it’s a shame to bring up past stars, who are no longer on the show, as well as the current stars who put their life and soul into performing each week.
The BBC has a responsibility and duty of care and, with new infrastructures in place, hopefully the brand will get beyond this and continue giving joy to so many millions of people who view it religiously.
“Her celebrity partner’s safety and enjoyment was always the priority throughout her time on Strictly.
“Janette has never received any complaints and has maintained friendships with all her partners, including Will.”
Earlier this week, the BBC insisted it has “long-standing protocols for dealing with injuries and that includes contestants receiving all necessary treatment and support as required.”
WILL’S ORDEAL
Will was hurt during a studio rehearsal with Janette watching from the sidelines as he went through the routine with fellow pro Nancy Xu.
“The plan was for me to jump off a high table. In rehearsal all week, we hadn’t jumped it — I just mimed it,” explained Will.
“We practised a few times and I was really careful. But then Janette said my jump was ‘rubbish’ and I needed to smile more and go for it and show a bit of passion.
“I was really determined, so I went for it and smiled at the camera. When I landed I just had the most horrific pain. I still have flashbacks now.”
His ordeal adds to a host of complaints about Strictly Come Dancing professionals.
A video showing former show pro Brendan Cole slapping Fiona Phillips’ bum three times recently resurfaced.
We previously reported on equally shocking footage of another former show professional, James Jordan, which saw him calling his dance partner “fat.”
His wife, Ola Jordan, was then accused of “bullying” and being “cold” towards former celebrity partner Steve Backshall.
Italian professional Giovanni Pernice, 33, quit the BBC show earlier this year.
He is currently under investigation by the BBC over misconduct after complaints were filed by several of his former celebrity dance partners.
The same investigation also saw his fellow Italian professional Graziano Di Prima axed after allegations of “physical incidents” towards show partner Zara McDermott, 27.
Dancer-turned-judge Anton Du Beke has also been named in the “misconduct probe.”
It is centred on a historic row with his former celebrity partner Laila Rouass, 53, and what has been dubbed his “1970s behaviour” towards her.
