Latest news with #StrictlyComeDancingLiveTour
Metro
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Strictly Come Dancing 'brings in police' as scandals swarm ahead of new series
Reality dance series Strictly Come Dancing has been hit by yet another scandal (Picture: BBC) The BBC has reportedly asked the police to investigate Strictly Come Dancing amid fresh allegations after claims two of its stars used cocaine. The corporation is said to have alerted the Metropolitan Police to new allegations about the hit dance competition show, the details of which have not been specified, according to The Sun on Sunday. Earlier this week, a longtime worker claimed they were offered drugs by a star on the show. The BBC reality series reportedly launched an external probe to investigate cocaine use by two stars earlier this month, as well as claims that a star was drinking on the show. The whistleblower who worked behind-the-scenes on the show for a decade until 2023 has said he witnessed 'partying at Elsetree studio after live filming. Get personalised updates on Strictly Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. The worker, who accuses an unnamed star of offering them cocaine, added that the cast and crew were 'drinking and taking drugs', with bags of white powder suspected to be cocaine found in a smoking area and the men's toilet on two separate occasions. The show has been plagued by scandals in recent weeks (Picture: PA) The cocaine use allegations were reportedly made in a legal submission by law firm Russells in March on behalf of former contestant Wynne Evans (Picture: BBC/PA Wire) A BBC spokesperson has told Metro it does not comment on police investigations. The latest scandal comes after two former professionals Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima were removed from the show (and replaced) after behavioural accusations from former partners were revealed. Welsh opera singer Wynne Evans, 53, was also sensationally dumped from the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour over inappropriate comments. In addition to this, the recent addition of Thomas Skinner to the cast has also been widely criticised. The scandal-hit show was the subject of a review in 2024, when the BBC looked into allegations of bullying and harassment against Pernice by his former dance partner Amanda Abbington. The corporation upheld some, but not all, of the complaints made – and introduced a series of new measures aimed at improving welfare. This included the introduction of a chaperone who is present 'at all times' during training room rehearsals. The new series of Strictly is fast approaching, with it launching on September 20 (Picture: PA) It was alleged Di Prima 'kicked and hit' his 2023 partner Zara McDermott while they were rehearsing for the show. Di Prima said he 'deeply regrets the actions' that led to his departure from Strictly. 'My intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime,' he admitted. EastEnders star James Borthwick was also suspended from the BBC after a video emerged of the actor using a disabled slur on the set of the dance programme. The cocaine use allegations were reportedly made in a legal submission by law firm Russells in March on behalf of former contestant Wynne Evans, who was dropped by the BBC after apologising for using 'inappropriate language' during the launch of the Strictly tour. It is understood that the BBC often appoints external law firms to help it lead investigations. The BBC spokesperson previously said: '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.' The Metropolitan Police has been contacted for comment. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. Arrow MORE: BBC star gags on live TV after revealing surprising food 'phobia' Arrow MORE: Strictly Come Dancing winner 'revealed' before the show even begins Arrow MORE: UK beach voted one of world's best (and unofficial nudist spot) closed on safety grounds
Metro
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Strictly star slams 'double standards' at BBC after Naga Munchetty 'sex jibe'
A Strictly Come Dancing star has slammed the BBC over its 'double standards' following presenter Naga Munchetty's alleged 'sex jibe'. Welsh opera singer, Wynne Evans, 53, was sensationally dumped from the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour earlier this year over inappropriate comments he made. The 'unacceptable' joke – which was first believed to be towards host Janette Manrara but Wynne has since insisted it was a jibe at Jamie Borthwick – apparently referenced having a threesome. Soon after, he apologised, saying he was 'deeply sorry for the pain my inappropriate action caused' and would take a break from the public eye for 'self-reflection' and to 'prioritise my well-being'. Now, however, following the news that BBC Breakfast star Naga is facing bullying allegations and inappropriate 'sex jibe' claims, Wynne has called out the director general, Tim Davie. Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. Posting the front page of The Sun in a now-deleted post, Wynne said: 'I really wish Naga well and I hope she doesn't get hounded. 'But come on @bbc @bbccymruwales what double standards. 'Tim Davie [Director-general of the BBC] promised to protect people on Strictly from being hounded by the press, but he won't even meet with me.' Presenter Naga, 50, hosts the BBC flagship morning programme alongside Charlie Stayt. It was reported earlier this year that an internal investigation was being carried out into allegations of bullying at the program. Since, it has emerged that the editor of BBC Breakfast, Richard Frediani, is taking an extended period of leave after allegations of bullying behaviour, including a claim he shook a female colleague. Deadline reported that Naga had raised concerns with senior BBC figures regarding his conduct, amid other misconduct complaints colleagues made against him. The Sun then reported claims that Naga faced her own bullying allegations. No formal action has been taken, but she is said to have been spoken to about an incident. Wynne previously spoke to The Sun about the fallout, saying he is 'not a bad guy'. He also stated that he is 'not a misogynist', explaining that 'spit-roast boy' was a nickname given to EastEnders actor Jamie, insisting that the quip was a prank that 'backfired'. 'It's been heartbreaking,' he said of the aftermath. ''Spit-roast boy' was a nickname we all gave Jamie Borthwick because he could contort his legs over his head like a spit-roast chicken. 'I would be the first to apologise if I had used it in the double meaning of that word. 'But it absolutely wasn't meant sexually – and the fact I used 'boy,' alright, it's nuanced, but it shows I was talking to Jamie, NOT Janette.' Earlier this month, Wynne shared a full apology video from Strictly Come Dancing, which he claims the BBC ordered him to cut short. The singer and his professional dance partner sparked controversy when she appeared to move his hand from her waist, which he said was 'just a body language experiment that was picked up on'. The pair shared a brief apology video at the time, but he has now shared a different version, which is 50 seconds long instead of the 10-second clip that got published. His video begins with Katya saying: 'Hello everyone. We felt the need to clarify something. We find it quite fascinating how people take time to look into in such detail every gesture, every look.' Wynne added: 'So we thought we'll mess around. And we said, 'Oh I'll put my hand on your waist, you pretend to move it away, and let's see who notices it.' 'And now everybody thinks I'm a weirdo. But really, I promise you I'm not. And we're doing this high ten thing as well, where she blanks me from a high ten.' The pair insisted it was 'all sort of planned just to see if anybody notices', while Katya said they wanted to 'clarify that it's all just messing around'. More Trending 'He's not a creep,' she added. 'But he's a brilliant dancer.' When he was removed from the bill, having already done several performances, a spokesperson from the BBC said: 'We have made it very clear to Wynne that we do not tolerate such behaviour on the tour. 'We were not previously aware of the remark and did not receive any complaints.' View More » Metro has contacted the BBC for comment. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Legendary BBC series hailed as 'guilty pleasure' streaming on completely free UK service MORE: 'I beat the system and proved I didn't need a TV licence' MORE: More schedule changes confirmed as EastEnders is pulled from BBC One
Metro
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Wynne Evans shares full apology video which he claims BBC 'cut short'
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Wynne Evans has shared a full apology video from Strictly Come Dancing which he claims the BBC ordered him to cut short. The Welsh opera singer, 53, was fired from the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour earlier this year, and recently dropped from his BBC Radio Wales rolling contract after a string of controversies. This week, he insisted during an interview with This Morning that an apology he and Katya Jones shared during last year's Strictly series was originally meant to be longer. The singer and his professional dance partner sparked controversy when she appeared to move his hand from her waist, which he said was 'just a body language experiment that was picked up on'. He added on This Morning: 'Katya said to me, 'Put your hand on my waist, I'll move it back, we'll see if anybody picks it up [on social media],' and boy did they pick it up.' Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. The pair shared a brief apology video at the time, but he has now shared a different version which is 50 seconds long instead of the 10 second clip that got published. 'Hello everyone. We felt the need to clarify something,' Katya said at the start of the longer backstage video. 'We find it quite fascinating how people take time to look into in such detail every gesture, every look.' Wynne added: 'So we thought we'll mess around. And we said, 'Oh I'll put my hand on your waist, you pretend to move it away and let's see who notices it.' 'And now everybody thinks I'm a weirdo. But really I promise you I'm not. And we're doing this high ten thing as well where she blanks me from a high ten.' The pair insisted it was 'all sort of planned just to see if anybody notices', while Katya said they wanted to 'clarify that it's all just messing around'. 'He's not a creep,' she added. 'But he's a brilliant dancer.' Wynne captioned the newly shared clip: 'The video that was too long for @bbcstrictly @bbccymruwales I think this tells it as it was.' However, the BBC has insisted 'all parties agreed' that the shorter version was the best way forward. A spokesperson told The Sun: 'For the avoidance of doubt, the video in question was filmed twice and all parties agreed at the time that the second more concise version would be better suited for social media.' On This Morning, Wynne admitted he can 'totally understand' how people were confused and 'upset' by the stunt. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video He said: 'I don't want to sit here today, coming across as a victim because I'm not. I totally understand why people were upset by that and I get it.' However, he argued that the decision to only share a 10-second apology was still 'the wrong decision'. Earlier this year, Wynne was sensationally dumped from the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour over comments he made involving host Janette Manrara. The 'unacceptable' joke referenced having a threesome with the dancer, 41. Soon after he apologised, saying he was 'deeply sorry for the pain my inappropriate action caused' and would take a break from the public eye for 'self-reflection' and to 'prioritise my wellbeing'. More Trending And the BBC later decided not to renew his one-year rolling BBC Radio contract following a four-month investigation. He confirmed in an Instagram statement: 'It breaks my heart to say the BBC has decided not to renew my contract, so I won't be returning to my radio show. I'm gutted. 'That show wasn't just work — it was home. It was us. We laughed, we cried, we sang like nobody was listening. And somehow, through the airwaves, we became a family.' View More » Metro has contacted BBC and reps for Wynne Evans for comment. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: All BBC Casualty spoilers for this week as legend debates exit MORE: 'Funniest show on TV today' is finally available to stream for free MORE: I don't want to see David Walliams on TV again after Nazi salutes
Metro
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Former Strictly Come Dancing pro takes aim at series after Wynne Evans scandal
Former Strictly Come Dancing pro dancer James Jordan has publicly come out in support of Wynne Evans, after he spoke about the detrimental impact the BBC show scandal wrought on his mental health earlier this year. The Welsh opera singer, 53, was tearful as he spoke on This Morning about being sensationally dumped from the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour over comments he made involving host Janette Manrara. The 'unacceptable' joke referenced having a threesome with the dancer, 41. He apologised soon after, saying he was 'deeply sorry for the pain my inappropriate action caused' and would take a break from the public eye for 'self-reflection' and to 'prioritise my wellbeing'. Jordan, 47, who danced on the show between 2006 and 2013, has now weighed in to say he was 'deeply moved' by Evans' appearance on This Morning, in which he detailed how the scandal took him 'to the darkest spot of his life'. Evans sat down with Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley in the ITV studio and told them how he was monitored by a crisis team for a month and that his friends, family and girlfriend set up a schedule to ensure that he wasn't alone at any point in the day when the attention 'wouldn't stop'. Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. Jordan went on to defend Evans' controversial comments, labelling them 'clearly light-hearted or part of mutual banter' in a lengthy Instagram post. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Jordan wrote: 'It would be easy to stay silent, like many others have, including some of the so-called friends from Strictly who haven't spoken out in his defence. But when I see someone being treated unfairly, I can't stay quiet.' Jordan, who is married to fellow ex-Strictly pro Ola Jordan, added the part of the story that had 'upset him most' was Wynne's claims that he had not been contacted by the Strictly Come Dancing team following his departure from the tour. He wrote there is 'not enough support' for those competing on the show, writing: 'The Strictly team often talk about kindness about the duty of care – they provide behind the scenes – but in reality, that care ends when the cameras stop rolling.' He continued: 'It's not good enough. The protections in place for both celebrities and professional dancers on Strictly are inadequate, and that needs to be addressed – publicly and urgently. 'This show is a well established, flagship show for the BBC that we all cherish. If only it would cherish and protect those who help make it the success it is.' Evans commented on Jordan's post, saying he had been 'amazing'. He wrote: 'Many of my Strictly friends are to [sic] scared to support me publicly and I thank you so much as a 'stranger' to speak out in my favour when many others would remain silent.' The BBC and BBC Studios released a joint statement last September saying that duty of care is taken 'extremely seriously' on Strictly, adding that their welfare and support processes are updated each year. The statement read: 'We want Strictly to be a positive experience for everyone involved.' The broadcaster explained that new training and rehearsal measures last year saw the introduction of a production team member in rehearsals at all times, as well as two now dedicated welfare roles on the team and weekly welfare meetings. The statement continued: 'Every celebrity and pro dancer is offered a pre-series psychological review. They complete 'wellbeing questionnaires' with the welfare producers and talk about the type of experience the celebrity would like on the show and expectations of training from both sides. 'Everyone working on Strictly, in front and behind camera, has attended workshops addressing the culture of the show and expected behaviour. More Trending 'Building on previous protocols, there is a formal exit interview process for all involved as they leave the show, which will be logged and documented. 'These new measures build on longstanding processes and procedures on the show. We will always look at whether there is more we should do.' Metro contacted the BBC for comment. View More » Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One later this year. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: I trained with Olympians at a luxury resort — it wasn't what I expected MORE: Jamie Borthwick suspended from EastEnders after using disabled slur during Strictly Blackpool special MORE: Strictly's Nick Knowles, 62, makes dancefloor return at wedding after shocking injuries
Metro
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Strictly star Wynne Evans announces engagement months after ‘dumping' claims
Wynne Evans has admitted he is feeling 'smug' after announcing he is engaged. Earlier this year the Welsh opera singer, 53, was sensationally dumped from the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour over comments he made involving host Janette Manrara. The 'unacceptable' joke referenced having a threesome with the dancer, 41. Soon after he apologised, saying he was 'deeply sorry for the pain my inappropriate action caused' and would take a break from the public eye for 'self-reflection' and to 'prioritise my wellbeing'. At the time it was reported that he's been dumped by his girlfriend Liz Brookes, but it was then quickly clarified she was helping to 'rally around him'. Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. A few months on, he's now revealed they are set to tie the knot. Posting a photo on Instagram of him getting down on one knee while in holiday in Morocco, Wynne shared: 'Big news… I got engaged! 💍 'This weekend in Morocco, somewhere between the couscous, the camels, and me limping around the souks like a man with no spatial awareness, I proposed to Liz — and she said yes! (No take-backs, I've checked.) 'She's clever, she's kind, she's got excellent taste in men. Absolutely no idea how I pulled that off, but here we are! Feeling very lucky, very happy, and just a tiny bit smug.' More Trending In the post, Wynne also shared a photo of their hands holding glasses of champagne, with Liz's engagement ring front and centre. Wynne and Liz are believed to have started dating last year after his divorce from his wife of 17years Tanwen Evans. View More » The former couple share two children, daughter Ismay and son Taliesin. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Jamie Borthwick suspended from EastEnders after using disabled slur during Strictly Blackpool special MORE: Strictly's Nick Knowles, 62, makes dancefloor return at wedding after shocking injuries MORE: Celebrity Race Across the World 'signs up' beloved Strictly duo
