Melanie Sykes slams 'deluded' BBC bosses in expletive rant amid Strictly probe
BBC presenter Melanie Sykes has hit out at the broadcaster as she waded into the scandal involving Strictly Come Dancing.
Melanie Sykes in rant about BBC
Melanie Sykes launched an expletive-filled rant against BBC bosses as the probe into Strictly Come Dancing continues.
The TV presenter, 53, appeared on Russel Quirk's TalkTV show where she branded BBC bosses "deluded" and claimed they have "zero respect" for audiences.
She also claimed those high up in the company branded viewers "the great unwashed" as she waded into the current scandal surrounding Strictly and its professional dancers.
"I've heard people in power at the BBC talk about the audience as the great unwashed. That's how much they respect you - which is zero," she said in the explosive chat.
Melanie, who has presented a number of programmes for the BBC on both radio and TV, alleged: "I’ve heard people in power at the BBC talk about the audience as the great unwashed."
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She said that the turn out is "s**t for people", adding: "If they think they are making fantastic television they are deluded." The I'm A Celebrity star went on: "Remember they do their own programmes to big themselves up and to give themselves awards for what they do as well. It’s patting their own back.
"It’s generating the money and they’re happy but you’re left feeling like you’ve been entertained, are you f**king kidding me? That’s the power of television, isn’t it, to seduce you."
Strictly Come Dancing is facing its biggest scandal in 20 years as a number of allegations have been made against top professionals. Amanda Abbington accused Giovanni Pernice of "threatening behaviour" and claimed he "bullied" her in rehearsals.
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Meanwhile Graziano Di Prima was axed from the series after he admitted to kicking former Love Island star Zara McDermott. The Italian dancer, 30, said he "deeply regrets" the events which led to his departure.
A third pro was then named as a "person of interest" in the wake of the abuse and bullying allegations. A source told The Sun: "A professional's name has come up, alongside Giovanni and Graziano.
"He is no longer part of the show but he has been named as a person of interest. Conversations are ongoing and there are more people who need to be spoken to."
Strictly judge Anton Du Beke became the fourth star named in the scandal over a resurfaced historic row with Laila Rouass. A female Strictly dancer could be next to face allegations as The Mirror reported the professional would "scream in rage" at the male celebrity if he got his steps wrong.
