Strictly Scandal Deepens: Dancer Nadiya Bychkova Raises Concerns with BBC

Strictly Come Dancing is facing yet another crisis, with beloved professional dancer Nadiya Bychkova meeting with BBC bosses to express concerns about the show.

The Ukrainian dancer reportedly contacted BBC executives on Wednesday evening, prompting a face-to-face meeting to discuss her grievances. Sources say Bychkova is "upset" about certain issues concerning the popular Saturday night dance program. Her complaint comes amidst the ongoing investigation into actress Amanda Abbington's claims of bullying by fellow professional dancer Giovanni Pernice, allegations which Pernice vehemently denies.

With increasing allegations and accusations surfacing against the show, sources describe the situation as "worsening by the day." The scandal is a major blow to Strictly, a cornerstone of BBC programming for two decades.

This recent complaint marks the third concerning incident to plague the show. While the investigation into Pernice is underway, it has seemingly opened a door for others to come forward with their concerns.

Adding to the drama, Bychkova's meeting with BBC executives coincides with the revelation of her split from fellow Strictly dancer Kai Widdrington after 18 months together. The couple, who started dating in 2022, reportedly ended their relationship in June, following the conclusion of their lucrative tour "Behind the Magic."

The split, while reported as amicable, has left some fearing a tense atmosphere when the new series commences in September, as friends of the couple claim they are "no longer on friendly terms."

These developments come in the wake of several high-profile departures from the show, including Italian dancer Graziano Di Prima, who was fired after five years for allegedly hitting and kicking his partner Zara McDermott during rehearsals.

Di Prima took to social media to address his behavior after his sacking became public, while his publicist, Mark Borkowski, defended his client in an interview, acknowledging that Di Prima "crossed the line" but emphasizing his mental health concerns.

The scandal has prompted the BBC to implement stricter measures to prevent further incidents, including the mandatory presence of a producer in every rehearsal and dedicated staff to handle any concerns expressed by celebrities and professionals.

A BBC spokesperson commented on Bychkova's meeting, stating, "While we do not comment on individuals or personal matters, as we have said previously we will always listen if people want to make us aware of something or raise it with us directly and we have appropriate procedures and processes in place to manage this."

Bychkova has not yet responded to requests for comment.

The recent string of scandals has cast a shadow over Strictly's future, raising concerns about the show's ability to overcome these challenges and maintain its longstanding reputation. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the show's fate and the BBC's response to the escalating crisis.