Strictly star who won't be bullied on BBC show - as bosses prepare for probe findings
EXCLUSIVE: Toyah Willcox insists she won't be getting bullied as she signs up for Strictly Come Dancing.
Strictly Come Dancing waltzes onto our screens next week with an unresolved bullying dispute hanging over it.
But pop star Toyah Wilcox - who will compete on the BBC dance contest - sees herself as an "empowerment" guru who won't tolerate nasty behaviour on the show.
It comes as the Beeb is desperate to conclude the Giovanni Pernice/Amanda Abbington bullying probe before the new series on September 14.
Actress Amanda, 50, complained about the Italian star's alleged aggressive bullying at training which kickstarted a damaging public furore. Giovanni has always denied the allegations. The probe is expected to be concluded within the week.
It's A Mystery singer Toyah says she has been bullied by producers and co-stars who threatened to kill her.
She told The Express: "I support all of you who are tolerating the intolerable in the work space and I stand by my motto: “Everyone has a unique quality to bring to the world.
"If anyone ever tells you otherwise remember “the abuser always blames their victims”.
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"I am contacted a lot by people who are suffering bullying in the workplace, and I try to help with words of self-empowerment but it’s not a solution to their problems.
"It can be a problem shared because it’s there for all of us, for me it only happens sporadically but when it does it leaves a powerful residue."
She recalls how she was left traumatised after working on TV programme Holiday where she was bullied by an explosive director.
And she says in recent years she has dealt with "financial bullying, gaslighting, misogyny, public humiliation, physicality, aggression and verbal abuse."
She continues: "The astonishing fact is most of these people are old enough to know better.
"The people who behave like this don’t get away with it for long. I make things work, I am successful, I bring in solutions, I win awards, so at some point you have to look at the abusers. It’s well documented “abusers blame their victims”.
"What’s important to me is I want you to know you are not alone, really you are not alone."
In a move which may worry Strictly bosses, Toyah plans to write about her experiences in an explosive autobiography.
The singer will be taking part in the show's 20th anniversary series, but it's faced a lot of controversy in the past few months.
It is believed contestants and BBC employees have set up a WhatsApp group in readiness for the internal report.
The probe was launched at the start of summer after Sherlock actress Amanda instructed lawyers Carter-Ruck.
Conducted by two ex-Met officers, it has already reportedly cost the taxpayer £250,000.
There have been suggestions that while some of Amanda’s claims will be dismissed, the BBC will be unable to entirely clear Gio by the letter of strict HR guidelines.
An inappropriate video, which Amanda is said to have taken offence to, will be used to support her claims, while Gio’s team will say that it was sent in jest and “banter”.
Meanwhile Gio's team are said to be hoping that a secret audio recording, in which Amanda is said to brand herself a nightmare, will boost their case.
