StrictlyCome Dancingenjoys a unique status on British television.
The other remarkable thing aboutStrictlyis that it boasts a virtually unblemished record when it comes to scandal.
Put simply, it has always been the BBCs golden child.
L-R: ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ stars Amanda Abbington, Zara McDermott, Giovanni Pernice, and Graziano Di PrimaGetty Images
Pernice strongly denies wrongdoing and says he is cooperating with a BBC investigation.
He has been benched for Season 22.
Abbington was not the only woman with concerns about Season 21.
Giovanni Pernice and Amanda AbbingtonBBC
The dancer does not recall the specific incident but acknowledges it happened andhas apologized.
For those involved inStrictlyscreation, the misconduct scandal is symbolic of mission creep from the shows original vision.
The BBC declined to comment beyond recent statements.
Its changed, agrees a senior producer, who was involved inStrictlysearly seasons but wishes to remain anonymous.
In the beginning, the production and the audience delighted in British-style amateurism.
The expectation is that amateurs will get to semi-pro status.
Di Prima is perhaps a good example of translating his lived experience into exacting standards in rehearsals.
There is a feeling in the Di Prima camp that more guidance from producers would have been welcome.
If they have got a hotheaded Sicilian temper, why arent they given better parameters?
adds a source familiar with processes onStrictly.
An ex-contestant tells Deadline that self-filming was left to the discretion of couples.
Better supervision would be baked into the format if it were pitched today, says a formerStrictlyproducer.
The world has changed a lot in 20 years, they add.
Welfare support on the 2023 season included access to counseling and talent producers.
While Lush is supportive of further improvements, she thinks chaperones could be an overcorrection.
She worries that it could change the dynamic between dance partners and interfere with their chemistry.
There are conflicting views on whether BBC executives would have been aware of the issues onStrictly.
People know about these things, its what they choose to see that matters, this person says.
Another producer argues that abuse can often remain hidden until the victim is prepared to speak out.
The BBC is likely to be questioned aboutStrictlynext week when director general Tim Davie presents the corporations annual report.
Strictlywill return to BBC1 in September, complete with presenting duo Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
Lorraine Heggessey, the former controller of BBC1, predicts the series will recover: Strictlycan get over this.
We should hang on to the positives, address the issue, and move on.
Ex-BBC entertainment chief Lush puts it like this: Long liveStrictly.
