Strictly Come Dancing bosses consider hiring 'intimacy coaches' to avoid scandal
Strictly Come Dancing bosses have confirmed that the show will continue to run later this year, amid the sacking of professional dancer Graziano Di Prima.
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Strictly bosses have reportedly suggested "intimacy coaches to set boundaries." The BBC dance show will plan on making its return later this year, amid Graziano Di Prima's sacking and claims surrounding Giovanni Pernice.
According to Mail Online, an insider involved with the show has said that BBC Studios "should hire intimacy coaches to 'spell out unacceptable behaviour'".
Last week, it was announced that Graziano Di Prima would not be returning to Strictly Come Dancing over his behaviour to celebrity partner, Zara McDermott.
Graziano Di Prima was let go by the BBC last week and is the second professional to exit the show after criticism about the "tough" methods used for training celebrities.
The insider said to The Times: "Some of them need the boundaries of how normal people behave explained. Because [dance] is all leading and following, and they’ve been doing it since they were eight, the idea that you can just grab someone’s wrist is ingrained in them.
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"And clearly, for some [dancers] what is completely unacceptable behaviour needed to have been spelled out."
Express Online have contacted the BBC for comment.
Italian dancer Graziano has admitted that he "kicked" his celebrity partner Zara during training rehearsals last year. He issued a statement on his shock departure, saying he "deeply regrets the events that led" to his exit.
Giovanni Pernice left the dance competition in June amidst allegations allegedly made by Amanda Abbington and two other celebrities. He denies all the allegations of "threatening or abusive behaviour."
Recently, Zara, 27, released a statement in regards to Graziano's sacking over claims of 'physical and verbal incidents.'
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She penned on Instagram: “I have wrestled with the fear of opening up – I was scared about public backlash, I was scared about my future, I was scared of victim shaming. But after a lot of conversations with those I love, I’ve gained the strength to face these fears, and when I was asked to speak to the BBC, I spoke candidly about my time on the show.”
Earlier this year, it was reported that Strictly Come Dancing bosses are introducing "duty of care packages" to celebrity partners in the upcoming series.
According to The Sun, safeguards are being introduced for dancers and celebrity contestants on the show, including counsellors and the offer of post-show therapy.
