Strictly’s Anton Du Beke breaks his silence after his ‘1970s-style behaviour’ with former dance partner Laila Rouass ‘raised concerns’ amid BBC misconduct probe
As someone who has followed the entertainment industry for years, I have seen my fair share of scandals and controversies. However, the recent incident involving Bruce Forsyth’s comments about racial slurs on Strictly Come Dancing has left me feeling disheartened and disappointed.
On Saturdays, Anton Du Beke finally spoke up regarding the old-fashioned conduct of his actions towards his ex-dance partner Laila Rouass that sparked worry among people.
During the 2009 season of Strictly Come Dancing, one of the judges, aged 58, made contestant Laila cry with a teasing comment about her appearance after her spray tan. He playfully remarked that she resembled a certain offensive term, causing her to shed tears.
On his birthday, Anton responded to recent allegations of misconduct by sharing several Instagram posts that he had previously reposted.
I can’t help but reflect on that moment when Anton apologized to Laila for his thoughtless words. At the time, I felt like an idiot, my face burning with embarrassment. Looking back, I realize those comments were insensitive and hurtful, especially towards a talented actress of Indian and Moroccan descent. Fortunately, Laila was gracious enough to forgive us, and we made amends a few weeks later. It’s a lesson I will never forget – words have power, and they should be used with care and respect.
Anton received a touching note from his wife Hannah, along with pictures of their six-year-old twins, George and Henrietta.
She penned: ‘Happy birthday darling Anton Du Beke George, Ra Ra and I couldn’t love you more and can’t wait to celebrate when we’re all together! We will ring soon for a serenade…. Brace yourself for Granny! Happy birthday my darling. I love you. ❤️’
He shared Hannah du Beke’s message anew, adding: “A lovely message to kick off my birthday week. Much appreciation, @hannah_du_beke. Excited for our celebration together on Monday. Deeply love you.”
I’m a devoted fan of Dancing with the Stars, and this week, I was saddened to see Graziano Di Prima, a talented professional dancer at just 30 years old, express his deep regret for losing his cool during rehearsals. In an apology, he acknowledged that he inadvertently hit and kicked Zara McDermott, his celebrity partner, during their practice sessions. Unfortunately, this unfortunate incident led to his dismissal from the show.
After the investigation into off-camera misconduct allegations made by Amanda Abbinson, 50, and two other ex-celebrity partners against Giovanni Pernice, 33, began at BBC, he was temporarily suspended from his role.
Anton caused an uproar after being revealed to have used a derogatory term, “p***,” towards Laila during rehearsals when she wore fake tan.
A source told The Sun: ‘Anton has a very 1970s attitude and can be abrasive.
As the distinction between what’s acceptable and not becomes more gray, some individuals find him suitable to collaborate with.
Although some grumbled with dissatisfaction when he danced, the BBC still advanced his career. The situation seems peculiar.
When reached out to by TopMob, a representative from the BBC responded: “We don’t have any comments on specific people and prefer not to participate in rumors.”
We’ve mentioned before that we’re open to hearing from you if you have concerns or ideas to share. And we have established methods to handle such communications effectively.
TopMob contacted Anton Du Beke’s representative for comment at the time.
Back in 2009, during the uproar over his comment, it came to light that Anton had made a joking remark to Laila, implying she might be a terrorist due to her North African background.
After the revelation emerged, Laila spoke on It Takes Two and shared: “We’re facing this challenge hand in hand. This past week has been difficult for us both… Nevertheless, we’re determined to move forward.”
‘This happened weeks ago and we’ve been getting on very well.’
Anton expressed again his regret and apologized to Laila, the entire show team, and the audience at home for his actions last weekend. He felt ashamed and foolish.
Instead, he added, “It was foolish of me to act and speak that way, and unfortunately, it’s drawn attention away from the fantastic show we’ve put together.”
‘As I say I am mortified about it, completely, and Laila has been quite remarkably wonderful.’
In a formal apology issued by the BBC, Bruce Forsyth had to retract his earlier remarks encouraging people to take a light-hearted approach to the controversy.
In an interview with TalkSport radio, he shared: “Looking back, we found humor in this situation. Go back 25 to 40 years, and you’ll find that there was always some lightheartedness surrounding it.”
Once upon a time, the Americans would teasingly label us as “limeys.” This moniker may not have held a pleasant connotation, but we found amusement in the term. After all, everyone has their unique nicknames.
But hours later a statement from Bruce was issued by the BBC.
“Anton made a mistake in what he told Laila, for which he has issued a heartfelt apology. I don’t support or approve of such language being used.”
Let me make this perfectly plain: Racist language is neither amusing nor appropriate under any circumstances.
Although there’s a big distinction here from harmful racist remarks, which harbor hateful intentions. While acknowledging the significance of political correctness in today’s society, let us not lose sight of the larger context.
The statement added ‘these are my personal views and not necessarily those of the BBC’.
Last month, Anton was strongly supporting Giovanni after he left Strictly Come Dancing due to the BBC’s investigation into serious misconduct allegations.
In June and July, the duo will team up for a live performance named “Giovanni and Anton: The Live Tour.” This event is scheduled to take place throughout these two months.
On Instagram Stories, Giovanni shared a video featuring him and another man in a warm embrace. The related promotional image also depicts their strong friendship bond.
Anton began by expressing his enthusiasm for the first day of rehearsals, calling it his favorite part. However, he wasn’t as fond of the second day, which earned a chuckle from Giovanni.
Giovanni, with a smile on his face and seeming upbeat, went on to say: “We need to recall all the details from our first day. Tour life is resuming once again, and it’s wonderful.”
The bosses made it known that they would be implementing chaperones during training sessions and hiring two new welfare coordinators following Graziano’s unexpected termination from the program.
As a former contestant on Strictly Come Dancing, I’m thrilled to hear that the show is taking further steps to prioritize the welfare and support of its cast members. Having gone through the rigors of training and performing under pressure, I can attest to the importance of having a strong support system in place. It not only ensures a better experience for the dancers but also contributes significantly to their overall wellbeing and success on the show. Kudos to the producers for recognizing this need and taking action. #dancecommunity #welfaresupport #strictlycomedancing
Recently raised concerns have primarily revolved around the need for improved training and rehearsals. Our new initiatives aim to rectify this issue.
During training sessions in the rehearsal room, a representative from the production crew is now required to be present. Additionally, there’s more assistance given to both famous participants and skilled dancers.
Two new roles will be filled: a Celebrity Well-being Producer and a Professional Dancers’ Well-being Producer, who will take on additional responsibilities. Additionally, the production team and crew will receive extra training.
Kate Phillips, the head of BBC’s Unscripted productions, stated: “Our shows have brought joy to most participants. However, if concerns arise or we learn about unacceptable conduct, we will address it promptly.”
Based on my experience working in theater production, I have seen firsthand how important training and rehearsals are to ensure a successful show. However, despite our best efforts, concerns have arisen that are fundamentally linked to these areas. In response, we are taking decisive steps today to bolster the welfare and support for everyone involved in this production. These actions will not only enhance the overall experience for the cast and crew but also provide greater peace of mind for all those invested in its success.
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2024-07-20 17:19