BBC will have to pay £1 million in compensation to victims of ‘abuse and assault’ at Strictly Come Dancing, with the number of celebrities filing complaints rapidly increasing.

MORE and more Strictly celebrities are raising complaints about their time on the show — as the BBC fears a £1million personal injury bill.

A number of stars are lining up claims citing physical or mental health harm, and loss of earnings.

Sign up for the TV newsletter

Your info will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy

Graziano Di Prima was sacked for kicking celeb partner Zara McDermott at last year’s rehearsals
7

Graziano Di Prima was sacked for kicking celeb partner Zara McDermott at last year’s rehearsalsCredit: BBC

Amanda Abbingdon, with Giovanni Pernice, is being represented by Carter Ruck
7

Amanda Abbingdon, with Giovanni Pernice, is being represented by Carter RuckCredit: PA

Laura Whitmore is also being represented by the law firm

7

Laura Whitmore is also being represented by the law firmCredit: Getty – Contributor
Lawyers Carter Ruck are acting for a number of former celebrity contestants including Amanda Abbington, Laura Whitmore.

They will seek trying to get compensation for their clients.

The Beeb has endured two months of hell — forced to launch a probe into Giovanni Pernice’s alleged misconduct, and having to sack pro Graziano Di Prima for kicking his partner Zara McDermott in rehearsals.

A source said last night: “Day by day, this Strictly crisis is worsening. No one quite knows where or how it will end.

“More and more stars are coming forward with grievances, and they have been advised there are significant grounds for personal injury claims.

“The BBC would be vicariously liable for actions taken by its employees.

“The figures for personal injury are notoriously low, but at least three celebrities have a case for lost earnings — the idea that being associated to this case has made them seem “tricksy” to employ.

“They say they have lost work, and worry the BBC especially will deem them untouchable.

“Injury claims can be for something like soft tissue damage, severe sprains which hamper ability to perform day to day tasks and, of course, mental-health damage.

“Some previous contestants have been left needing therapy after appearing on the show, and at least two — Rachel Riley and Amanda Abbington — were diagnosed with PTSD.

Vanessa Feltz slams BBC for ‘ramping up Strictly drama’
“There are doctors’ notes and photographic evidence of stars being left black and blue, which have all been handed to lawyers to be used as evidence.

“If successful — and at the moment there certainly appears to be serious evidence for duty of care breaches — the BBC could well be forced to pay out well over £1million.

“For a tax-payer-funded show, it’s a very worrying prospect.”

Honestly, no one quite knows where or how it will end

A Source

The Sun revealed in May that Giovanni had quit the show and that lawyers had been instructed to act for celebrities who had gross misconduct claims against him.

They include Amanda, 50, and Laura, 39.

Giovanni has denied any wrongdoing.

The BBC finally admitted it had launched an internal probe into the matter, triggering the biggest crisis in the Bafta- winning show’s 20-year history.

They have taken on two ex-Met detectives to interview celebs, dancers and show staff, past and present.

Two weeks ago it emerged they had widened the probe in light of new evidence.

The BBC declined to comment on any prospective payouts.

OTHERS WHO COULD SUE

FERN BRITTEN: 2022

FORMER This Morning host Fern Britton, partnered with Artem Chigvintsev in 2012, said her time on Strictly was “grim”.

She said Russian pro Artem would “look at my feet and just kick me or shove me”.

Fern Britton, partnered with Artem Chigvintsev in 2012, said her time on Strictly was 'grim'

7

Fern Britton, partnered with Artem Chigvintsev in 2012, said her time on Strictly was ‘grim’Credit: Rex Features
Fern, now 67, also claimed he once said to her: “You just stand there and don’t move; I dance round you.”

She also claims he told her: “Shut your face. Go home before I kill you.”

GEORGINA BOUZOVA: 2006

CASUALTY actress Georgina Bouzova was paired with James Jordan in 2006.

Footage emerged this week of James calling Georgina “chubby” in rehearsals, banning her from eating sweets and chocolate — and making her do press ups when caught.

Georgina Bouzova was paired with James Jordan in 2006

7

Georgina Bouzova was paired with James Jordan in 2006Credit: BBC
He also calls her a “lazy cow and threatens to “drag her across the floor and scream at her” if she forgets moves.

She walks out of the studio in tears.

FIONA PHILLIPS: 2005

TV presenter Fiona Phillips, who was partnered with Brendan Cole in 2005, was told she would be “duffed up” if she got her steps wrong.

He also said that if her bedroom skills were anything like her dancefloor skills she would be “a crap s**g”.

Fiona Phillips was partnered with Brendan Cole in 2005

7

Fiona Phillips was partnered with Brendan Cole in 2005Credit: BBC
Brendan, 48, also admitted slapping partners’ backsides but claimed: “It’s not a sexual thing. It’s a term of affection. I’ve always done it.”

ANNEKA RICE: 2019

TELLY presenter Anneka Rice, 65, who was paired with Kevin Clifton in 2019, said the show left her broken, depressed and needing months of physio for a whiplash injury.

 

On working with Kevin she said: “Some partners do a lot of limbering up before you even start training, but we didn’t.

Anneka Rice with pro partner Kevin Clifton

7

Anneka Rice with pro partner Kevin Clifton
“Kevin and I just had a sausage roll and went for it. You’re so high on adrenaline you don’t realise how injured you are.”

Follow us to see more useful information, as well as to give us more motivation to update more useful information for you.
Source: Tampa Bay Times

Related Posts

Featured Image

HOT: Harry managed to “earn William’s forgiveness” when he unexpectedly “did this” during his visit to the Royal Palace: “I knew this would help…”

After five long years of separation, tensions, and public scrutiny, Prince Harry has returned to England, and his arrival marks a dramatic and emotional turning point in…

Featured Image

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez are facing a serious financial loss of up to eight figures as they try to sell their love nest.

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, the high-profile couple known for their passionate romance and tumultuous history, are currently navigating a challenging situation regarding the sale of their…

Featured Image

Without the royal family’s support, Harry’s 40th birthday might be more subdued than ever as he made a surprising statement: “I never thought things would turn out this way…”

This week in royal news has been marked by significant updates and developments involving some of the most prominent figures of the British royal family, including Kate…

Featured Image

Diddy was unexpectedly defended by Kalenna Harper in the Dawn Richard lawsuit. How much did he have to pay for her support???

The recent legal developments involving Diddy and his former partner Cassie have taken a dramatic turn with a new lawsuit alleging abuse. This new legal action has…

Featured Image

Princess Kate has shown signs of being “uncomfortable” when BBC continually asks her to discuss her treatment methods: “This is not the time to talk about this…”

The Princess of Wales shared an update on Instagram this week regarding her cancer treatment. Princess Kate recently shared a video about her ongoing cancer treatment (Image: Will…

Featured Image

It seems that fans and Taylor Swift might part ways as her fanbase recently announced they will no longer support her after her comments about Kamala Harris. Will Taylor change her mind?

Taylor Swift’s influence among her fanbase, particularly Generation Z, has been a topic of much discussion and speculation. Known for her impactful presence in the music industry…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

error: Content is protected !!