Fresh scandal hits Strictly as BBC call in cops after external probe into show weeks before new series starts
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
THE BBC has brought police into the Strictly probe — engulfing the show in its biggest crisis.
Beeb bosses alerted the Met after lawyers began an inquiry into the scandal-hit series.
3
Strictly Come Dancing has been engulfed in its biggest crisis after police were brought in
Credit: PA
3
BBC bosses alerted police after lawyers began an inquiry into the scandal-hit series
Credit: Getty
3
It is understood that detectives from the Met Police are examining allegations
Credit: Getty
Police being brought in to investigate allegations surrounding Strictly Come Dancing is not a good look for the scandal-hit BBC, sources said last night.
The corporation had already launched an inquiry into its flagship Saturday night family show amid claims two of its stars had used cocaine.
It is understood that detectives from the Met Police are examining other allegations relating to the telly ballroom hit, which has been rocked by a string of controversies.
Our latest shock revelation comes as the BBC prepares to launch Strictly's 23rd series next month - after officially announcing the line-up of celebrities including reality TV star Dani Dyer.
A source told The Sun on Sunday: 'It's a significant new development in the BBC's recent string of crises that they have now got the police involved in investigating allegations surrounding Strictly.
"This is a very dramatic turn of events.
'Despite all the show and its team have been through over recent months, it's hugely controversial that you've now got Scotland Yard detectives probing Strictly.
'This is their biggest prime-time family entertainment show, so it's not a good look for the BBC.'
Strictly has been the subject of inquiries into bullying and inappropriate behaviour over the past 14 months.
But this is believed to be the first time the BBC has been in contact with the police over allegations linked to the show.
Strictly Come Dancing 2025 lineup IN FULL - including Game of Thrones star & famous YouTuber
It is understood the matter was referred by the BBC after it launched an inquiry, conducted by external lawyers Pinsent Masons, into alleged drug use on the show.
The Sun on Sunday reported two weeks ago how it was 'well known' that two Strictly stars took cocaine.
It was claimed one accused another of being 'off their face' - saying: 'Have you seen their pupils?'
It's hugely controversial that you've now got Scotland Yard detectives probing Strictly
Source
Lawyers were brought in after ex-Strictly star and opera singer Wynne Evans made allegations in a legal submission to the BBC in March.
In relation to the drugs allegations, the BBC said a fortnight ago: 'We have clear protocols and policies in place for dealing with any serious complaint raised with us.
'We would always encourage people to speak to us if they have concerns.
'It would not be appropriate for us to comment further.'
Plunged into crisis
The BBC previously investigated bullying allegations by actress Amanda Abbington against pro Giovanni Pernice. Graziano Di Prima was fired over claims he kicked celeb partner Zara McDermott.
Earlier this year Evans was dumped by the BBC after he was filmed making a 'spit-roast' comment to EastEnder Jamie Borthwick at the Strictly tour photocall.
In June Borthwick was suspended after The Sun on Sunday revealed he made an offensive slur against disabled people and Blackpool.
It was also claimed he filmed himself messing around with a sex toy in a Strictly tour dressing room.
The BBC has also been plunged into a crisis over its cookery show MasterChef, with co-hosts Gregg Wallace and John Torode fired.
Meanwhile, corporation chiefs have also been probing claims of bullying on BBC Breakfast, including allegations about host Naga Munchetty's behaviour.
Last night Scotland Yard said: 'On Monday 4 August, the Metropolitan Police received a third-party allegation.
"The police investigation is in its early stages. No arrests have been made at this time.'
We approached the BBC for comment.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
10 minutes ago
- The Independent
Wayne Rooney: ‘Racially abused player cried on my chest'
Wayne Rooney has revealed how he consoled a former player who 'cried on his chest' after receiving racist abuse. He believes believes only tougher sanctions for racism in football, like points deductions, will prevent further incidents. Speaking on his new BBC podcast, The Wayne Rooney Show, former England and Manchester United captain Rooney reflected on what changes need to occur to help tackle discrimination. Last week saw two major incidents, with Antoine Semenyo of Bournemouth allegedly racially abused by a spectator in the crowd during their 4-2 loss at Liverpool and Tottenham forward Mathys Tel receiving racism online for a missed penalty in their Super Cup defeat to Paris St Germain. Ex-DC United boss Rooney said: 'I had it in DC with one of my players who got racially abused and he was crying on my chest. I was holding him as he was crying on my chest. 'I don't think people realise – they say it as a throwaway line that they think has no meaning behind it, but it hurts people. For people to see that and understand, there has to be more done to stop it.' Points deductions and education were put forward by Rooney as key deterrents to prevent racism. He added: 'There needs to be a strong campaign for society – for children, parents and grandparents – to be educated,' Rooney added. 'You have to hit the clubs because that's the only way it will stop. If there is ignorance, the fans will still do it. 'You have to hit the clubs by taking off points or hit them in the pocket and take money away from them. Otherwise, it will keep on going. 'Hopefully the right people sit down with the right organisations to try and get something serious in place.'
Daily Record
10 minutes ago
- Daily Record
BBC 'forced' to scrap Ozzy Osbourne documentary after 'family complaints'
Ozzy Osbourne had been documenting his long-awaited return to the UK, but the BBC film capturing it has suddenly vanished from TV schedules. A special documentary charting the 'moving and inspirational' final chapter of Ozzy Osbourne's life has been mysteriously pulled from the BBC schedule. Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home was due to air on BBC One and iPlayer tonight at 9pm, promising "unique and intimate access to the whole Osbourne family," including wife Sharon and children Kelly and Jack, reports the Mirror. But the one-off, hour-long film, announced earlier this month, has vanished from TV listings and replaced with Fake or Fortune. The delay comes after Sharon Osbourne broke down in tears at Ozzy's funeral following his death at 76. Black Sabbath legend Ozzy died on July 22 from a reported heart attack, just weeks after reuniting with the band for the Back To The Beginning farewell concert in Birmingham. He had been documenting his long-awaited return to the UK, a dream he'd chased for years. The BBC film was set to capture this homecoming, but fans were left disappointed when it was suddenly removed from listings at the last minute. A spokesperson for the BBC told the Mirror today that the "film has moved in the schedules" and new premiere details will be shared "in due course". The broadcaster has offered no explanation for the sudden change, but insiders suggest the family's reaction to the final cut was a key factor. A source told The Sun: "There have been conversations behind the scenes that maybe the BBC were rushing their show on Ozzy out - especially because Paramount+ also had a film in the offing.' Originally, the series was to be a ten-part documentary called Home To Roost, following Ozzy and Sharon's return to the UK. After Ozzy's passing, it was reworked into a single film. "What mattered the most to the family was the overall tone and theme of the programme, which features Ozzy and Sharon in one of their last interviews together," the insider said. "It started to feel like the goal being pursued was that the BBC and the makers of the film were to get the show on air faster than the Paramount+ doc. Naturally that has caused some concerns with the family," they added. Filmed over three years, the BBC says the documentary captures the "extraordinary rollercoaster of their lives" as Ozzy and Sharon attempt to fulfil their dream of returning to the UK. It also shows Ozzy "heroically battling to get fit enough to perform" while the family navigates the "dramatic consequences of his ill health," with Kelly Osbourne quoted as saying: "Iron Man wasn't really made of iron." Ozzy had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019. Clare Sillery, head of commissioning, BBC Documentaries, said on August 7: "We are honoured to have had the opportunity to film with Ozzy and his family. The film captures an intimate glimpse into their journey as they prepare to return to the UK. "It features family moments, humour, reflection and shows the enduring spirit that made Ozzy a global icon. We hope it brings comfort and joy to Ozzy's fans and viewers as they remember and celebrate his extraordinary life." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Ben Wicks and Colin Barr, executive producers at production company Expectation, added: "It was an incredible privilege to spend the last few years with Ozzy , as well as Sharon, Jack and Kelly. Ozzy wanted to make it back to the UK and appear on stage one last time – our film is an inspiring and poignant account of him fulfilling that dream. " Ozzy was loved by millions around the world not just for his music, but for his sense of mischief and his honesty, all of which we saw plenty of in the final years of his life. But one thing shone through even more brightly to us, and that was Ozzy's intense love for his exceptional family who were by his side through it all." Last month, fans gathered alongside Ozzy's family to pay tribute to the star as a funeral cortege travelled through Birmingham. Sharon and the couple's children could be seen wiping away tears when they arrived at the Black Sabbath bench, where thousands of tributes, balloons and flowers were left. Musicians from Bostin Brass played Black Sabbath songs to accompany the cortege, and fans threw flowers at the hearse as it slowly passed through the city.
Scottish Sun
10 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Controversial Celebrity SAS star breaks down in tears as they're forced to quit show after nasty injury
The star was desperate to continue on the show but wasn't allowed DOWN AND OUT Controversial Celebrity SAS star breaks down in tears as they're forced to quit show after nasty injury Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CELEBRITY SAS star Connor Benn was left in tears when he was forced to withdraw from the series. The professional boxer suffered a nasty shoulder injury as the gruelling endurance course continued, and on Monday night's episode it proved too much. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 Connor was forced to medically withdraw from the course Credit: Eroteme 3 Connor's withdrawal came amid fears it would affect his career Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd Following a test where he dealt with a drill that recreated the effect of a recovery mission amid hazardous gas, he admitted to fellow recruit Adam Collard that he "would rather f**k up his shoulder than quit the show". However, he also noted that if he was told he was lined-up for a bought within the next three months, it could spell the end of his career. Being brought into the DS's for an interrogation, the team expressed their concern about his injury effecting him long-term, prompting him to admit he has a 'fear in leaving'. Unfortunately, his worst fear came true, and after being checked by the medical team, he was instructed that he would no longer be able to participate as he'd injured his rotator cuff. The DS staff announced he would be medically withdrawn from the course – despite his protests and him wanting to carry on. "It's a medical withdrawal, you have no control over this. You had a great journey," Mark Billingham told the heartbroken recruit. "What if it's fine?" Connor protested. "It aint' fine. It ain't worth the f***ing damage mate," he told him. Defeated, Connor admitted: "I don't want to go, man." DS Jason Fox agreed with Mark, who told him: "Thing is it's getting to the point now where you're still in the middle of your career. You're still destined to pull in the big bucks. Fuming Conor Benn fought to a 'DRAW' by ex-Premier League star in brutal sparring session ahead of Eubank Jr rematch "You're going out with your head held high, you didn't give up." "You've got from this what you need," added Mark. "You don't need anything else. You've ticked all the boxes we wanted you to tick. You've got nothing else to prove to us." Resigned to what happened, Conor was seen crying as he hugged the staff and left the course. Connor's removal from the show came after he opened up about his radically religious upbringing, revealing he grew up believing he would be 'going to hell and there were demons inside him'. "I was a kid, and they made me believe I needed an exorcism," he told the team, breaking down in tears. "It makes me angry, because i look at my son and I just don't understand how anyone can make a kid believe they have demons in them." He was urged by the team to "give himself a break" and "no longer carry that anchor" when he admitted that there's still part of him that questions if they were right. "I've never lost - and I don't plan losing on this course either," he said when he first joined the show. Connor later explained that part of his reason for doing the show was because he was still dealing with the fallout of a two-year ban from boxing after failing a drug test. He has continued to profess his innocence to UK Anti-Doping (Ukad) and the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC), and maintained it on the show, saying he was "fighting for his name". At the time of filming, an outcome hadn't been reached, but his provisional suspension was finally lifted in 2024.
