Strictly pro dancers dubbed themselves ‘International Men of Mystery' after ‘swinging antics' at wild after-show parties
ELLIE HENMAN Strictly pro dancers dubbed themselves 'International Men of Mystery' after 'swinging antics' at wild after-show parties
STRICTLY Come Dancing prides itself on being a family show. Well, that's one VERY messed-up dysfunctional family…
Forget recent cocaine allegations, the truth is far racier.
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Strictly has been hit by a series of scandals over recent years (stock image)
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The BBC has recently launched a fresh probe into drug allegations
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For I can reveal that a small group of pro-dancers calling themselves 'The International Men of Mystery' have been indulging in swinging after shows - and their antics will make your eyes water.
The 'IMOM' moniker, which they came up with themselves, is almost laughable.
But knowing the men involved in this group as I do, I can tell you they've got more front than Harrods - and would have revelled in their self-created grandeur.
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The reality of their antics is far grubbier, however.
'Partner swapping on Strictly was common,' my insider explained.
'This group of pros referred to themselves as 'The International Men of Mystery' and were notorious for sleeping with each other's partners - even when some of them were in relationships.
'Naturally, it all became very messy.'
The 'mess' which my insider told me about played out in the background of the show.
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And - thankfully for BBC bosses - doesn't appear to have affected the mega-watt smiles the stars put on when Strictly's famous tune starts up…even if they're actually grimacing inside.
'One female star, who was in a relationship, had sexual encounters with two members of 'The International Men of Mystery' and it ended up being gossiped about by everyone,' my source - who worked on Strictly for a number of years - explained.
BBC offer Strictly cocaine duo rehab stint after claim pair took drug on show as bosses consider random tests during tour
'There are so many stories about partner swapping and bed hopping, it was rife and well known.
'Another time there was a tale about a male pro who was in a relationship but was given permission by his partner to sleep with whoever he wanted - as long as he went back to her when he'd had his fun.'
Not squeaky clean
Strictly, as fans know, is a juggernaut of a series - and it's run like a military operation by the BBC.
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The regimented production meant that the bed-hopping, as well as the alleged cocaine use by two stars, and heavy drinking, was more rife on The Strictly Live Tour, along with The Strictly Professionals tour.
My source added: 'How they managed to perform on the tour while partying every night is beyond belief, given how much they'd drink and how little they'd sleep.
'After nearly every show, they went hard - and the 'International Men of Mystery' would be leading the charge.
'Whether it was on the tour bus, in hotel bars, or in local nightclubs near the arenas.
'They would drink a hell of a lot. They worked hard and played even harder.'
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After nearly every show, they went hard - and the 'International Men of Mystery' would be leading the charge.
Blackpool, where every year the pros and contestants compete at the seaside town's world-famous tower, is, I'm told, where the 'IMOM' would let loose.
"The behaviour of this group was like something from a Club 18-30's holiday in Benidorm,' my source explained.
'You wouldn't have thought they were some of the most famous faces from a BBC family show.
'On tour, the drinking and the partying would lead to partner swapping and bed hopping.
'Staff at various hotels would have seen so much of it but seem to have said nothing.
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'It was eye-opening to be around it. Fans of the show would be shocked - the stars they see on screen aren't as squeaky clean as they make out.'
The BBC has been approached for comment.
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The Sun's showbiz editor Ellie Henman has lifted the lid on the latest Strictly crisis (stock image)
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A law firm has been hired by the BBC to probe damning allegations of cocaine use on Strictly Come Dancing
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Worried Strictly chiefs are determined to deliver a trouble-free new show
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Every scandal that has rocked Strictly has been revealed by The Sun, including the damaging allegations against Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima, which saw them both leaving the BBC show last year.
The cocaine probe, which is underway now, was revealed by The Sun on Sunday - with two stars at the centre of damning allegations they took the Class A substance while on the show.
Fresh Strictly scandal
My source explained that the alleged drug use and bed-hopping went hand-in-hand and that at the conclusion of the investigation, it was likely another culture shift would be required at the heart of Strictly.
'The BBC have clearly been working hard to clear up Strictly's reputation and have brought in a string of measures to safeguard contestants and their welfare.
'But the drinking and the sex - that's a culture shift that is still waiting to happen.
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'The lines between professional and personal relationships on Strictly have been blurred for a long time.
'If they want to stamp it out, there needs to be a clampdown on this behaviour.'
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