Drag Race star defends Strictly backlash and praises Giovanni Pernice

Strictly dancers have to be tough with celebrities in order to get the job done, says Drag Race star Baga Chipz adding: "It's called Strictly for a reason."

The 34-year-old admits they were asked to go on the BBC dance contest twice before but turned it down because "it's too much work".

And Baga says they've met Giovanni Pernice who's at the centre of a bullying probe and has been "nothing but lovely to me".

They also said that Giovanni's former dance partners Michelle Visage and Debbie McGee are "full of praise" for the controversial star.

Baga says: "I'm too lazy for Strictly. I've had calls with them plenty of times.

"I work my bollocks off on tour but that's all me, I write it all myself, but with Strictly it's 14 hours a day rehearsals and they get one day off.

"People just think they go on the telly once a week but it's constant.

"It's called Strictly for a reason, they're strict. That is just the environment.

"You've got to be strict. If you look at dance teachers they're like 'again, again. Do it again'.

"That's how they were taught and that's how you make champions.

"But obviously there are certain ways to speak to people, and if you are being sexist or misogynistic or racist or homophobic, that is obviously illegal, you shouldn't be doing that.

"But when it comes to getting the job done, you have to bring the strictly.

"I know they have to be strict with you."

It comes as the Beeb are expected to deliver their findings from the probe into Giovanni's behaviour after Amanda Abbington accused him of bullying behaviour. He denies the claims.

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.

But Baga says he knows celebrities who have become "friends for life" with their dance partners including Giovanni.

"I know a lot of people who have done Strictly and they have become friends for life with their dancers.

"With Giovanni, I met him a few times and he has been nothing but lovely to me.

"Michelle Visage was his partner and oh my god, they were like the best of friends.

"I was friends with Debbie McGee and she was Giovanni's partner and she had nothing but good words about him.

"So I don't know about this person who is saying all this stuff. Gio is lovely and he's bloody gorgeous as well."

Baga - who is currently on tour with their one man show - says they would end up smoking 25 cigarettes a day if they went on Strictly, but would go on it if they offered him £200k.

Baga adds: "I had a zoom call with them twice. I said to them in the meeting, I'm a smoker, I have 20 fags a day. I'd be outside smoking all the time.

"If it was a big fee, like £200k, I'd do it, I'd dress up as Mr Blobby if they paid me that.

"But I'd be the one they take the piss out of. I'd be so stressed."

Baga gained widespread recognition for his unforgettable performance on the inaugural season of RuPaul's Drag Race UK in 2019, where he won fans over with her quick wit, humour, and bold personality.

In 2022, he starred on RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. The World and showed his acting skills on the Channel 4 drama series Ackley Bridge.

Baga - who is also the face of Pink Casino - has recently undergone a huge physical transformation with the crowning glory being a hair transplant.

The procedure took place at the hair loss Wimpole Clinic - voted the Best UK Hair Loss Clinic in 2024 (MUST KEEP IN) - with Baga saying: "It's given me a new lease on life.

"I look younger and feel more confident and ready to take on the world. I hope my story inspires others to take charge of their own journeys and embrace the changes that make them happy."

To find out more about Baga's hair transplant go to wimpoleclinic.com.