Strictly dancer insists professionals are more 'united' than ever after BBC bullying probe
EXCLUSIVE: Strictly's Kai Widdington insists the dancers are more "united" than ever following the probe into Giovanni Pernice's alleged "bullying".
Strictly's Kai Widdrington insists the dancers are more "united" than ever following the probe into alleged "bullying"- behind the scenes.
The dancers have faced increased scrutiny after Amanda Abbington accused Giovanni Pernice of "inappropriate" behaviour.
Another dancer, Graziano Di Prima, was sacked by the BBC after he was caught on camera appearing to kick his 2023 dance partner, Love Island star Zara McDermott.
Despite the probe hanging over the cast, Kai says: "The vibes are very, very good. If anything we feel more united this year amongst the professionals.
"We have to get on with it. We have to block out the noise. We have to get on with the job and we are there to dance. And in the least cringe way possible dancing is our escape. So no matter what anyone is saying, the show is going ahead, people want to see it."
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On Wednesday night, Strictly won Best Talent Show at the National Television Awards, which is voted for by the public.
Speaking on the red carpet, Kai said the allegations didn't "concern" the rest of the dancers and he just wanted to get on with his job.
He continued: "It's the most popular show in the country. We won the NTA three times in a row so people still want to watch it. It's genuinely the feeling between us. It doesn't concern us. We are there to do a job."
Last year, Kai was partnered with Rip Off Britain star Angela Rippon. This year he isn't paired with a celebrity but joins the professionals in the group dance every week.
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When asked if he feels more apprehensive in his treatment of celebrity dancers, he said: "Absolutely not. I pride myself on being a very patient teacher anyway.
"You can go to any of my past partners and they will give you the same answer. It wouldn't make me feel different about this season."
He said the key to his success with his dance partners is that he would "never crack the whip" and is a "big softie". He continued: "I would never crack the whip. I'm a softie. It's man management. My dad is a football manager.
"I man manage the person who is in front of me. I teach Angela Rippon completely different to how I would teach AJ Odudu. It's very different. Once you understand what makes them tick then you can teach them. It's pretty simple."
It comes as BBC staff have had their emails, texts and WhatsApps examined as part of the bullying investigation.
Members of the crew have reportedly had their phones searched for references to Giovanni or Amanda - a request understood to have been made to the BBC by Amanda’s team, to provide any personal data or information that might shed light on Gio and Amanda’s relationship.
A source said: “People complied with it in the hope that it shoots down any claims of a cover-up.”
The investigation was launched by the corporation following allegations that Amanda was subjected to “nasty” bullying by Giovanni for the duration of last year’s show.
He denies the allegations and the results of the probe are thought to be due soon.
A source added: “Hopefully we’ll be able to draw a line under this once and for all, especially with the show set to start.”
The row threatens to overshadow the 20th anniversary series of the hit BBC One dance competition, which begins on Saturday.
In one interview, Sherlock star Amanda, 50, said: “It was inappropriate, it was mean, it was nasty, it was bullying and I put up with it for five, six weeks. It started very early on and when it started to happen I would shut down... I recognised those red flags.”
She added: “I was going into the rehearsal room every day. I’ve been in rehearsal rooms for 32 years. I know what rehearsal rooms are supposed to be like. I don’t care what background you’re from – whether it’s dancing, acting, singing – you have a duty of care to bring into that rehearsal room compassion, understanding, sensitivity and kindness.”
Giovanni, 34, has left the show but has maintained from the start that he expects to be cleared.
Ahead of the new series and following the allegations, the corporation said a chaperone will be present “at all times” during rehearsals.
