BBC boss says sorry over complaints

The BBC’s director general has apologised to Strictly Come Dancing contestants after complaints of abusive behaviour on the show.

Tim Davie said he was “disappointed” to hear that several celebrity contestants had complained about how their dance partners treated them in rehearsals.

The BBC One show’s professionals should not cross the line between being competitive and “unacceptable behaviour”, he warned – but did confirm the show would return.

“There will be a degree of competitiveness and will to do well, but there are limits and the line should never be crossed,” he said.

“We never tolerate unacceptable behaviour of any kind.”

Strictly professionals Graziano Di Prima and Giovanni Pernice have both left the show after allegations about their behaviour in training.

Pernice has denied “any accusations of abusive or threatening behaviour”.

Di Prima’s spokesman has admitted the dancer kicked partner Zara McDermott in rehearsal last year. Di Prima has said he deeply regrets “the events that led to my departure from Strictly”, and that his “intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime”.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, Mr Davie said he was “very sorry that anyone has had an experience that hasn’t been wholly positive”.

“That’s something we do need to reflect on and I’m sorry about that,” he added.

“There are clearly learnings specifically about oversight in the training rooms that we had needed to address.”

With the “benefit of hindsight, you think could we have done more?” he added.

Mr Davie confirmed the show will return as planned later this year, despite its problems.

Last week, the BBC announced new measures including putting a member of Strictly production staff in all rehearsals to observe behaviour.

There will also be enhanced training and two new dedicated welfare producers – one for the celebrity contestants and the other for the professional dancers.

Launching the BBC’s annual report, the director general described Strictly as “a wonderful show that brings a lot of joy to a lot of people, and has done so for 20 years, to both those involved with the show itself and to millions of people at home”.

“Hundreds of people – be they pros, contestants or crew – have been part of it and have had a brilliant experience.

“At the same time, if someone feels something is wrong and they want to talk, we want them to raise it of course, and be in no doubt that we will take it seriously and deal with it appropriately.

“I won’t talk about individuals, but anyone who wants to talk to us, I hope feels that they can.”

Mr Davie added: “It’s vital we have the right protocols and structures and we keep these under review and confirmed changes last week. It is essential these are right for everyone.”

This year’s celebrity participants are expected to be revealed in August.

“We have a brilliant line-up this year and are keen to get going,” he said.