{"id":861,"date":"2025-03-17T11:01:22","date_gmt":"2025-03-17T12:01:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nichesitetool.com\/?p=861"},"modified":"2025-03-18T06:45:35","modified_gmt":"2025-03-18T06:45:35","slug":"strictly-come-dancing-star-reveals-who-should-own-up-to-bullying-scandal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.nichesitetool.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/17\/strictly-come-dancing-star-reveals-who-should-own-up-to-bullying-scandal\/","title":{"rendered":"Strictly Come Dancing star reveals who should \u2018own up to\u2019 bullying scandal"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\"Strictly\t<\/div>
A Strictly Come Dancing star has addressed the bullying scandal that has embroiled the BBC show (Picture: PA)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A former Strictly Come Dancing<\/a> pro has revealed who is to blame for the intense demands exerted on the dancers as she addressed the bullying scandal.<\/a><\/p>\n

Oti Mabuse,<\/a> 34, who was on the BBC show<\/a> from 2015 until 2021, said there was no pressure created by producers and instead it originated from the professional dancers.<\/p>\n

As she was asked about the furore that sparked the departures of Giovanni Pernice<\/a> and Graziano Di Prima<\/a>\u00a0 she told The Guardian<\/a>: ‘It\u2019s something that comes from us, and that\u2019s something that we have to own up to.’<\/p>\n

Last year, Pernice, 34, exited the BBC<\/a> show after his partner Amanda Abbington<\/a>, 51, accused him of \u2018inappropriate, mean, nasty bullying\u2019 and claimed she was subjected to a \u2018toxic environment\u2019.<\/p>\n

Following an investigation<\/a>, the dancer was cleared of serious allegations regarding his behaviour, while six bullying complaints were upheld.<\/p>\n

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Di Prima, 30, also left Strictly<\/a> after allegations of\u00a0\u2018physical incidents\u2019\u00a0<\/a>during his training with\u00a0Zara McDermott<\/a>, 28.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"EMBARGOED\t<\/div>
Oti said dancers need to ‘own up’ to applying too much pressure (Picture: PA)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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class=\"metro-related-video-carousel__related-video-placeholder-thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"metro-related-video-carousel__related-video-placeholder-headline\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"metro-related-video-carousel__related-video-placeholder\">\n<div class=\"metro-related-video-carousel__related-video-placeholder-thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"metro-related-video-carousel__related-video-placeholder-headline\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\twindow.addEventListener(‘metroVideo:relatedVideosCarouselLoaded’, function(data) {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tif (typeof(data.detail) === ‘undefined’ || typeof(data.detail.carousel) === ‘undefined’ || typeof(data.detail.carousel.el_) === ‘undefined’) {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\treturn;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tvar player = data.detail.carousel.el_;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tvar container = player.closest(‘.metro-video-player’);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tvar placeholder = container.querySelector(‘.metro-video-player__up-next-placeholder’);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tcontainer.removeChild(placeholder);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tcontainer.classList.add(‘metro-video-player–related-videos-loaded’);<br \/>\n\t\t\t});<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>His rep later admitted Di Prima had kicked former<a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/love-island\/\"><strong>\u00a0Love Island<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0star McDermott and said in a statement that he \u2018apologised at the time\u2019 and knew he had \u2018made a mistake\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>However, Di Prima later <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2024\/08\/10\/strictlys-graziano-di-prima-claims-brushed-zara-mcdermott-kick-allegations-21397882\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">claimed his\u00a0foot \u2018brushed\u2019 <\/a>McDermott after he \u2018kicked the floor in frustration\u2019 due to the \u2018pressure of the show.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Since leaving Strictly, Pernice has won the Italian version of the <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2024\/12\/22\/giovanni-pernices-3-word-declaration-wins-italian-dance-show-strictly-probe-22234856\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">dancing competition<\/a> Ballando con le Stelle with his girlfriend\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2024\/09\/14\/giovanni-pernice-horrendous-time-strictly-abuse-claims-21605685\/\">Bianca Guaccero<\/a>, 43.<\/p>\n<p>Commenting recently about whether he <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/01\/19\/giovanni-pernice-fears-will-never-return-strictly-its-not-choice-22389546\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">would return to the UK show<\/a>, he said he doubted an invite from BBC producers but would not rule a comeback out.<\/p>\n<p>Pernice told the Daily Mail: ‘I would love to go back to Strictly because Strictly changed my life. It is a massive show, but I don\u2019t think they\u2019re going to have me back. They\u2019re not.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"416\" src=\"http:\/\/www.nichesitetool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/PRI_220995377-9415-e1742208800462.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-22739559\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Oti was on the show for six years, previously winning with Bill Bailey (Picture: PA)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"539\" src=\"http:\/\/www.nichesitetool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/SEI_101185152-b105-e1742209366874.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-22739543\" alt=\"Mandatory Credit: Photo by David Fisher\/Shutterstock (12794063ec) Oti Mabuse 42nd BRIT Awards, Arrivals, The O2 Arena, London, UK - 08 Feb 2022\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Oti said the producers on Strictly were not to blame for the pressure (Picture: David Fisher\/Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u2018I\u2019m upset as well. It\u2019s been a great, great, great ten years. I achieved everything. But it\u2019s not my choice, it\u2019s not my decision.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>He added: \u2018Everybody has moved on. Maybe I might come back in a few years like Alijaz [\u0160korjanec]. I think this is the path we take. And don\u2019t forget, I\u2019m the reigning Italian champion.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, Di Prima has kept a lower profile, heading to his home country Italy last summer with his Giada Lini, where\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2024\/07\/18\/axed-strictly-star-graziano-di-prima-wants-move-on-6-an-hour-job-21249065\/\">he took a \u00a36-an-hour job picking grapes<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>He has also previously vowed to ‘return’ to dancing – but no TV other projects have yet been announced.<\/p>\n<p>In November, Di Prima wrote on Instagram: ‘After a period of reflection, I feel stronger than ever and eager to return to what I love most: dancing.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"459\" src=\"http:\/\/www.nichesitetool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/SEI_213299333-4a6a-e1742209450868.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-22732975\" alt=\"Strictly Come Dancing. Giovanni Pernice and Amanda Abbington 2023,23-09-2023,Generics,Giovanni Pernice & Amanda Abbington,BBC,Ray Burniston\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Abbington accused Pernice of ‘bullying’ – which he vehemently denied (Picture: BBC\/Ray Burmiston)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"512\" src=\"http:\/\/www.nichesitetool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/SEI_175085228_1735112733.433-d147-e1735113050307.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-22249329\" alt=\"For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only Undated BBC handout photo of Zara McDermott and Graziano Di Prima, during their appearance on the live show on Saturday for BBC1's Strictly Come Dancing. Issue date: Saturday October 7, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story SHOWBIZ Strictly. Photo credit should read: Guy Levy\/BBC\/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: Not for use more than 21 days after issue. You may use this picture without charge only for the purpose of publicising or reporting on current BBC programming, personnel or other BBC output or activity within 21 days of issue. Any use after that time MUST be cleared through BBC Picture Publicity. Please credit the image to the BBC and any named photographer or independent programme maker, as described in the caption.\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Di Prima left Strictly after allegedly kicking McDermott (Picture: PA)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u2018The future is a whole world of new open windows, ready to welcome new dreams and new challenges, and I\u2019m excited to continue this journey with even more determination and inspiration.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>After quitting Strictly, Oti became a judge on ITV’s Dancing On Ice – although the show’s future is unclear <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/03\/10\/this-really-end-dancing-ice-19-years-22698593\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">due to declining ratings.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Last year, she finished in fourth place on I’m A Celebrity, with McFly singer Danny Jones, 39, going on to be crowned King of the Jungle.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Strictly Come Dancing is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Got a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">If you\u2019ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\">Metro.co.uk<\/a> entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/submit-stuff\/\">Submit Stuff<\/a> page – we\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p class=\"text-justify mb-2\" >A Strictly Come Dancing star has addressed the bullying scandal that has embroiled the BBC show (Picture: PA) A former Strictly Come Dancing pro has revealed who is to blame for the intense demands exerted on the dancers as she addressed the bullying scandal. Oti […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":863,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[10],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.nichesitetool.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/861"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.nichesitetool.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.nichesitetool.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.nichesitetool.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.nichesitetool.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=861"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/www.nichesitetool.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/861\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":870,"href":"http:\/\/www.nichesitetool.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/861\/revisions\/870"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.nichesitetool.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/863"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.nichesitetool.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=861"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.nichesitetool.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=861"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.nichesitetool.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=861"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}