Strictly Scandal: BBC Boss Vows "Zero Tolerance" for Unacceptable Behaviour
The BBC director-general, Tim Davie, has addressed the recent controversy surrounding the popular dance show *Strictly Come Dancing*, assuring the public that the organization "will never tolerate unacceptable behaviour" and that "the line should never be crossed".
Davie's comments came at a news briefing following the release of the BBC's annual report, which revealed the salaries of its highest-paid stars, including newsreader Huw Edwards, who was off-air for most of the year.
Before addressing questions from journalists, Davie acknowledged the scandal that has plagued *Strictly
in recent weeks. Two male dancers, Graziano Di Prima and Giovanni Pernice, have left the show amid allegations of misconduct. In response, the BBC has announced the introduction of production staff to chaperone all rehearsals from the next series.
Acknowledging the inherent competitiveness of the show, Davie said there will always be "a degree of competitiveness" alongside the fun, but "there are limits". When questioned by Sky News about the program's duty of care and why behavior in recorded rehearsals did not raise red flags earlier, Davie expressed his regret, stating, "I'm very sorry that anyone has had a experience on *Strictly
that hasn't been wholly positive."
Davie emphasized the need to learn from the allegations and that the "key here is to address the situation". He also expressed his "disappointment" upon hearing the claims, reiterating the BBC's commitment to ensuring "people have a positive experience" on the show.
Despite the controversy, Davie maintains that *Strictly
remains a "wonderful show", highlighting the "brilliant experience" enjoyed by "hundreds of people" involved, from professional dancers and crew members to the celebrity contestants. He stressed that the BBC welcomes anyone who wants to raise concerns about their experiences on the show and assures them that these concerns will be taken seriously.
Responding to questions from reporters, Davie acknowledged the "eloquent" statement from Paralympian Will Bayley, who claimed he suffered a serious injury during a dangerous stunt on the show in 2019, despite raising concerns about its safety. Davie confirmed that the BBC is "clearly" in need of "listening and learning" from these experiences.
While he expressed confidence in the "robust" measures now in place to support contestants, Davie declined to commit to a full-scale review of the show's safety protocols, instead emphasizing the "proportionate" actions taken "at the moment".
He also acknowledged that the recent events have led to a necessary reevaluation of the show's practices, stating: "I would be careful about characterising my comments as a vote of confidence across everything we're doing. I am confident in the team and I'm confident we can deliver a season, but that's not without the adjustments and the learnings that we have taken on from the feedback we've had."
Davie concluded by expressing hope for a swift resolution to the ongoing investigation into the allegations, but did not provide a specific timeframe.
