Strictly Come Dancing ‘slashes budget as bosses pour money into welfare measures after scandals’
BBC bosses have slashed Strictly Come Dancing’s budget to cover new welfare checks after the show was rocked by scandal.
The casting budget has also been cut to free up cash in case former stars demand payouts.
Chaperones and welfare producers have been added to the show after allegations of abuse were made by contestants including Amanda Abbington and Zara McDermott.
A source told MailOnline: “Money had to be found to pay for chaperones and welfare producers, and we still don’t know how much all these allegations are going to cost the show.
“It is not going to be cheap. A decision was made to make cuts to the cast.”
The new lineup was revealed and some viewers claimed they didn’t know who half of the 2024 contestants were.
Some struggled to recognise TV doctor Punam Krishnan and former Love Island star Tasha Ghouri.
Insiders told the publication that Nick Knowles and Paul Merson were the only celebrities on big money.
“The line-up is one of our cheapest ever. We know audiences are disappointed, especially given the quality of our celebrities in the last five years,” added the source.
Giovanni Pernice was accused of bullying Amanda during rehearsals and the investigation is still ongoing.
The Sherlock star claims that she developed PTSD as a result, while Giovanni has strongly denied any wrongdoing.
The Mail on Sunday claimed Gio was to be exonerated after BBC insiders told the publication that there was no evidence that he bullied her.
Amanda is also said to have revealed a short video to bosses that he sent to her on WhatsApp, but sources say that whilst it is “sex-related”, it was “very much banter”.
The findings of the report are expected to be revealed next month.
Graziano Di Prima was sacked after a video of him “hitting and kicking” Zara was shown to bosses.
The claims against Graziano are the biggest scandal to rock Strictly in its 20-year history.
However, Graziano has now called in top lawyers to sue the BBC in an effort to clear his name.
Money had to be found to pay for chaperones and welfare producers, and we still don’t know how much all these allegations are going to cost the show.
TV sources
Barristers have already waded through thousands of text and WhatsApp messages and believe the Italian has a case for unfair dismissal.
A source told The Sun: “Graziano feels he wasn’t allowed a fair opportunity to give his side of the story so has been heartened to hear the legal team think he has a case for unfair dismissal.
“The top lawyers at Whitestone Chambers have scanned through thousands of messages between Graziano and Zara and the other Strictly dancers.
“They’ve also looked at his BBC contract and believe there are grounds to sue.
“He is weighing up his options but remains hopeful he can clear his name.”
Strictly's full scandal so far
Strictly Come Dancing's scandal has been growing over the past few months, with several major players speaking out about what went on. Here are the key moments of what's happened so far
16th May: Giovanni Pernice sensationally quits Strictly Come Dancing after nine years on the show.
17th May: Giovanni becomes the centre of an official investigation after three former partners – believed to be Amanda Abbington, Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh – make complaints to the BBC.
16th June: Giovanni releases an official statement vowing to clear his name and denies any wrongdoing.
8th July: Strictly confirms Aljaz Skorjanec will return to the series, replacing Giovanni, after initially quitting the show two years ago.
10th July: Amanda Abbington launches fresh legal proceedings to get the rehearsal footage from her time with Giovanni, after allegedly he refused to release the videos.
13th July: Graziano Di Prima is axed from Strictly for “gross misconduct” after footage of his treatment of Zara McDermott is brought to the attention of the BBC.
Graziano quickly broke his silence, apologising for his behaviour in a statement and saying he “deeply regrets it”, adding his “intense passion and determination to win might have affected his training regime.”
15th July: Strictly bosses implement new duty of care protocols, including having a chaperone present throughout all rehearsals.
16th July: Zara McDermott speaks out publicly for first time. She states while the production team were “amazing to work with”, she found the rehearsal room “completely different”, confirming there’s footage of “certain situations”.
19th July: Anton Du Beke is put under the spotlight for his “1970s attitude” and treatment of female celeb stars, particularly after allegedly referring to 2009 partner Laila Rouass as a “p***” after getting a spray tan.
21st July: Paralympian Will Bayley, who has limb condition arthrogryposis, revealed he was encouraged to leap from a table during a dance routine, despite fears. The stunt caused an injury that forced him to withdraw from the show.
22nd July: MasterChef’s Gregg Wallace admits he broke down in tears and got a nasty stress rash on his face during his time on Strictly in 2014.
22nd July: Despite ongoing issues, the Strictly professional cast begin rehearsals for this year’s series.
23rd July: Celebrity agent Melanie Blake claims she was sexually assaulted by an unnamed pro dancer while backstage on the show, and claims she witnessed ageism, rudeness and a rough treatment to the point of injury.
23rd July: Strictly is forced to beef up security after ‘an intruder scales the wall of the rehearsal studio’.
23rd July: BBC boss Tim Davie breaks his silence on the ongoing allegations against Strictly, saying he is ‘deeply sorry’, adding: “Hundreds of people, be they pros, contestants or crew have been part of it and had a brilliant experience.
“At the same time if someone thinks there was something wrong or they want to talk about their experience then of course we want them to raise that with us. Be in no doubt we will take it seriously, listen and deal with it as appropriate.”
24th July: Strictly 2023 star Krishnan Guru-Murthy holds a bombshell interview with Amanda Abbington on Channel 4 news, where she claims she was bullied, with some of the ‘humilation being of a sexual nature’.
27th July: Laura Whitmore releases a statement regarding her Strictly experience, saying “I thought my experience was specific to me but I’ve since learned I was wrong”.
She adds she is not part of the official complaint, but has come forward to support Amanda with the BBC, alongside others.
28th July: Laila Rouass speaks out against the accusations regarding Anton Du Beke, saying she “never felt pressured” by him and “personally insisted on six to seven hours training a day”.
August 10: Graziano breaks his silence on his Strictly axe, saying “these vile, false allegations have ruined my life.”
He also told of the “shocking” end to his friendship with Zara McDermott.
Graziano is also said to have chased Zara into a bathroom, spat at her, and verbally abused her in rehearsals last year.
BBC documentary-maker Zara, who is in a relationship with I’m A Celeb winner Sam Thompson, said the scenes were “incredibly distressing”.
Married Graziano responded in a statement to his 251,000 followers on Instagram, saying he “deeply regrets the actions” that led to his departure.
But just weeks later, he denied kicking Zara.
He also told how he and his “good friend” Zara messaged about her pet cat four days before he was sacked.
He is now back in his native Sicily, working on a farm for £6 an hour.
Strictly is set to return next month but Graziano’s spot is yet to be filled.
Zara’s agents and the BBC were approached for comment.