‘I had to crack the whip and he got over it’: Strictly pro Aliona Vilani admitted to forcing Matt Baker to dance through sickness during his time on the show in 2010

'I had to crack the whip and he got over it': Strictly pro Aliona Vilani admitted to forcing Matt Baker to dance through sickness during his time on the show in 2010

As someone who has always been a huge fan of Strictly Come Dancing, I am deeply saddened and concerned by the recent events that have unfolded behind the scenes. Having grown up watching this beloved show, it’s disheartening to see the negative headlines and allegations that have emerged in the past few weeks.


I unwaveringly supported Aliona Vilani during her time on the show in 2010, and I confess that I encouraged Matt Baker to dance despite his sickness.

I, an ardent fan, can’t help but share my excitement about a Russian dancer, age 40, who graced our screens on the BBC series named Countryfile back in 2010. This captivating duo partnered with Matt, a presenter in his mid-forties, and together they reached the esteemed final.

During one practice session for their Viennese Waltz, Aliona caused Matt to spin around excessively, leaving him feeling unwell and disoriented.

The issue has resurfaced, involving allegations of mistreatment and harassment on the program, leading to the departures of Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima due to filed complaints.

Since other stories have resurfaced regarding pros Janette Manrara, Ola Jordan and James Jordan.  

'I had to crack the whip and he got over it': Strictly pro Aliona Vilani admitted to forcing Matt Baker to dance through sickness during his time on the show in 2010

'I had to crack the whip and he got over it': Strictly pro Aliona Vilani admitted to forcing Matt Baker to dance through sickness during his time on the show in 2010

Previously, Aliona shared that during the initial few days, Matt experienced difficulty with dizziness.

Although he wasn’t feeling well, our time for rehearsals was limited. I had to adopt a firm approach and push him to keep going, and eventually, he recovered.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d suggest paraphrasing Matt’s statement as follows: “I’ve been pondering that thought, and suddenly, I feel unwell. The world around me seems to be spinning rapidly, and even when we come to a halt, the room continues to whirl.”

Representatives for Matt and Aliona have been contacted by TopMob for comment. 

I was absolutely devastated when Aliona broke the news that she was departing from the show back in December 2015. Her victories in the competition, one in 2011 alongside Harry Judd and another in 2015 with Jay McGuiness, had left an indelible mark on me as a fan.

In 2017, it came to light that Aliona had initiated a lawsuit against Johnny Ball following his allegation that she had feigned an injury while they were both participating in the show.

In an interview with The Sun on Sunday, the 86-year-old TV personality shared her belief that the dancer faked an ankle injury to go on vacation instead. She also suggested his new dance partner intentionally created complex routines as part of a plan to eliminate him from the competition.

I firmly refuted the accusations against me on Twitter and made it clear that I was pursuing legal proceedings against my ex-partner.

'I had to crack the whip and he got over it': Strictly pro Aliona Vilani admitted to forcing Matt Baker to dance through sickness during his time on the show in 2010
'I had to crack the whip and he got over it': Strictly pro Aliona Vilani admitted to forcing Matt Baker to dance through sickness during his time on the show in 2010
'I had to crack the whip and he got over it': Strictly pro Aliona Vilani admitted to forcing Matt Baker to dance through sickness during his time on the show in 2010

The dancer addressed her fans in a letter: “Johnny Ball has claimed that I injured my ankle during the 2012 SCD event and accused me of it. However, I want to make it clear that these allegations are not true.”

Based on my personal experience and having gone through similar situations in the past, I have sought the expertise of solicitors and am currently seeking legal counsel regarding recent allegations. Given the ongoing nature of this matter, it would be premature for me to make further comments at present.

In the tenth series of the show back in 2012, Aliona and Johnny were paired up as partners. However, Aliona unfortunately injured her ankle and had to withdraw from the competition.

Instead, Aliona’s father alleged that she had feigned an injury for the purpose of going on vacation, as reported by Zoe Ball’s It Takes Two show.

In an interview with The Sun on Sunday, he shared: Aliona slipped on an even surface while wearing flat shoes and claimed to have fractured her leg.

‘The next day she flew to the South of France for a pre-arranged weekend with her boyfriend.’

The mathematician argued that working with Iveta Lukosiute made their Cha Cha and Foxtrot dance routines more challenging, potentially leading to their elimination from the competition.

After being eliminated from the competition in week two, he commented about his replacement partner: “She told me it was amusing, her contract was set to expire on Taylor.”

On Taylor, following Tuesday’s apology from BBC head Tim Davie for the reported mishandling of Strictly Come Dancing contestants, he addressed the controversy for the first time.

The director general expressed his apologies to those who had a less-than-favorable experience on Strictly, promising to carefully consider the criticisms that have been voiced.

Some celebrity contestants are reportedly part of a clandestine group, where they openly discuss their personal struggles and validate each other’s experiences.

On the BBC’s yearly report day, Mr. Davie addressed a gathering of journalists, sharing his perspectives on the organization’s upcoming direction during his speech.

In his words, he expressed that the show would undoubtedly involve “determination, effort, and a strong desire to succeed.” However, he warned that there are boundaries that must not be crossed. Additionally, he made it clear that intolerable conduct will not be accepted under any circumstances.

Yesterday, ex-contestant Will Bayley shared his perspectives on the show following recent controversies regarding the handling of Amanda Abbington and Zara McDermott’s experiences.

When asked about the likelihood of the show proceeding during this season, Mr. Davie responded by expressing the necessity of ensuring proper safety measures and duty of care before making a decision.

Based on the strong measures we’ve implemented with the necessary adjustments, I’m confident that we’ll have an excellent season this year. That has been my primary concern.

He continued: ‘With that assurance, I’m looking forward to the next season.’

When the accusations against the show initially surfaced, he expressed his feelings as being quite let down.

Apologies were given by him, expressing regret for any negative experiences on Strictly, acknowledging that such occurrences are worth considering, and expressing sympathy.

Mr. Davie expressed to the reporters: “Strictly is an amazing program that brings happiness to many, including those behind the scenes and the viewers at home, for the past two decades.”

I’ve been absolutely captivated by this event, where hundreds of us – from seasoned pros to eager contestants and hardworking crew members – have come together to create unforgettable experiences.

As a committed supporter, I assure you that if anything feels amiss or if you have something to share about your experience, please don’t hesitate to bring it up with me. I promise to give it my full attention, take it seriously, and address it in an appropriate manner.

Based on my personal observations and experiences, I believe that the speaker is referring to a situation or topic where they don’t intend to discuss specific individuals. However, they have noticed evidence of this issue in recent weeks, and they encourage anyone who may want to engage with them on the matter to feel welcome to do so. My interpretation comes from my understanding of the original statement and the nuances of human communication, as I have often found that people use language to convey meaning while avoiding direct reference to certain individuals or details to maintain confidentiality or respect privacy.

To ensure a successful show, it’s important that we have the correct procedures and frameworks set up. We regularly assess and update these, as we did with some modifications last week. Proper implementation of these measures is crucial for everyone involved.

Sure, during this show, both enjoyment and challenge go hand in hand. The spirit of competition, dedication, and striving for success are essential elements. However, it’s crucial to keep boundaries in mind and avoid crossing any unacceptable lines.

‘We will never tolerate unacceptable behaviour of any kind.

According to reports, BBC officials are eager to put an end to the scandal as soon as possible when the next season of Strictly starts in September.

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman might apologize at the beginning of the first episode for any issues that have sparked criticism from Amanda Abbington, Zara McDermott, and Steve Backshall.

An insider shared with TopMob that this year’s instalment of Strictly marks its 20-year milestone, promising a joyous tribute to the series and its rich past.

“The BBC is eager to put the recent events behind them and begin anew with the show starting right away.”

As Strictly’s 2024 group of experts gathered in north London for rehearsals over the past two days, their faces were filled with smiles and enthusiasm. However, behind closed doors, there are concerns among some about the potential threat to their positions on the show.

Tess and Claudia may not address the sudden departures of Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima. 

Di Prima confesses to having given Zara McDermott a light kick during a rehearsal, while Giovanni denies accusations regarding his instruction techniques being unfounded. Some backers maintain that Giovanni upholds stringent teaching principles.

‘The BBC won’t want to go there’, the source claimed.

The first episode of the new series, during which pairings will be unveiled, is scheduled for September 4. Live shows will commence two weeks afterwards and continue for 13 weeks, concluding with the finale in December.

In its 20-year tenure back with the BBC, Strictly has encountered its most significant challenge yet.

It’s been suggested that Tess and Claudia might be contemplating their next steps. For some time, there have been whispers of an understanding between them to depart simultaneously, paving the way for a new hosting team.

'I had to crack the whip and he got over it': Strictly pro Aliona Vilani admitted to forcing Matt Baker to dance through sickness during his time on the show in 2010
'I had to crack the whip and he got over it': Strictly pro Aliona Vilani admitted to forcing Matt Baker to dance through sickness during his time on the show in 2010
'I had to crack the whip and he got over it': Strictly pro Aliona Vilani admitted to forcing Matt Baker to dance through sickness during his time on the show in 2010
'I had to crack the whip and he got over it': Strictly pro Aliona Vilani admitted to forcing Matt Baker to dance through sickness during his time on the show in 2010
'I had to crack the whip and he got over it': Strictly pro Aliona Vilani admitted to forcing Matt Baker to dance through sickness during his time on the show in 2010
'I had to crack the whip and he got over it': Strictly pro Aliona Vilani admitted to forcing Matt Baker to dance through sickness during his time on the show in 2010

TopMob has asked the BBC to comment.

Thirty-year-old Graziano, a professional on the dance show, was let go last week due to accusations that he physically attacked and disrespected his dance partner Zara, who is 27 years old, during practice sessions.

A few weeks ago, I found myself in a difficult situation when allegations of inappropriate conduct outside of the camera’s view surfaced against me during a BBC investigation. Amanda, who is 50 years old, and two other ex-celebrity partners had made these claims.

James Jordan added more intensity to the Strictly bullying controversy when Steve Backshall accused his wife, who was a dancer on the show in 2014, of bullying him.

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2024-07-23 17:09

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