Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood breaks his silence on misconduct allegations and admits ‘it came as a shock’
As someone who has followed Zara’s career and her time on Strictly Come Dancing with great interest, I cannot help but be deeply moved by her recent Instagram post. Her account of her experience inside the training room is both heartbreaking and courageous.
Craig Revel Horwood, a judge on Strictly Come Dancing, was taken aback when he learned about accusations of harsh treatment towards former contestants on the program.
I’m deeply disappointed to learn about the incident involving professional dancer Graziano Di Prima and his celebrity partner Zara McDermott during rehearsals for their show. As a former dance instructor with years of experience, I can attest to the intense pressure and emotions that come with preparing for live performances.
After the investigation into allegations of off-camera misconduct made by Amanda Abbington, 50, and two other ex-partners against Giovanni Pernice, 33, during their time at the BBC, he was temporarily suspended from work. However, he maintains his innocence in these matters.
In an interview with BBC Radio Wales host Lucy Owen, 59-year-old Craig expressed his surprise and newfound awareness of the allegations, learning about them alongside the general public via news reports.
I find it surprising and new information for me, as we don’t have the presence of judges during our weekly teaching sessions. Instead, we evaluate based on what is in front of us on Saturdays.
Craig continued: ‘So we’re kept very, very separate to the rest of the company.
We’re taken aback by this development. Each day I learn something new, my initial reaction is disbelief. I’ll hold off on forming an opinion until the investigations unfold, but rest assured, we have no involvement in it whatsoever.
In response to a question about his concerns for the future of Strictly, he stated: “I don’t believe so. It’s the type of program that resonates deeply with people at home who enjoy dancing. There’s nothing more rewarding than watching someone start from scratch and put in effort, ultimately transforming into an extraordinary dancer.”
More recent news suggests that Strictly Come Dancing’s producers are pondering over bringing in chaperones for the celebrities, due to allegations of misconduct against some of the professional dancers.
As an obsessed fan, I’ve heard the buzz that the BBC is becoming more rigorous when it comes to looking after the wellbeing of their participants. With Sam Bickley at the helm, they’re making sure everyone involved is taken care of in the best way possible.
Craig, now appearing in the U.K. version of The Wizard of Oz production, expressed his belief that it was a sound decision.
“During my time in Annie’s production, there were chaperones present at all times due to the children and the legal requirements,” he explained.
In the world of theater, there are individuals who serve as chaperones and are available for conversations when you’re feeling low.
Craig remarked: “Nowadays, we include psychologists in our shows. So, I believe it’s only natural for us to keep up with these evolving times.”
‘I think it’s good. I think it’s good to have that.’
On Taylor, a third professional dancer for Strictly Come Dancing has emerged as a potential suspect in light of accusations involving misconduct and harassment that have cast a shadow over the program.
I can’t contain my excitement as I read The Sun’s latest scoop! It turns out yet another talented dancer, previously a beloved member of the BBC series, is now under investigation. Wow, what a twist!
A source told the publication: ‘A professional’s name has come up, alongside Giovanni and Graziano.
Although he longer appears in the production, he’s now being viewed as a significant figure in the investigation. Further discussions are underway and additional individuals need to be interviewed.
A dossier is being prepared for the BBC, which they will receive. It seems that the questionable behavior of certain training professionals may be more prevalent than previously thought.
‘And the more people who come forward, the clearer the picture is becoming.’
The BBC has been contacted by TopMob for comment.
On Tuesday, the organizers of Strictly announced their intention to hire chaperones and recruit two new welfare producers following Graziano’s unexpected dismissal from the program.
Based on my personal experience working behind the scenes in the entertainment industry for several years, I believe that the announcement made by the producers of Strictly Come Dancing about enhancing welfare and support is a positive step towards creating a more caring and inclusive work environment. As someone who has seen firsthand the demands and pressures that come with being part of a high-profile production, I appreciate the importance of ensuring that all cast and crew members feel valued, supported, and looked after. This not only fosters a happier and healthier workforce but also contributes to the overall success of the show. It’s essential that productions prioritize the wellbeing of their teams, and Strictly Come Dancing is taking a commendable initiative in this direction.
Based on my experiences working in the corporate world for several years, I can relate to the concerns about training and rehearsals that have arisen recently. I’ve seen firsthand how important it is for organizations to invest time and resources into preparing their teams for various scenarios. The actions announced today by the corporation are a welcome response to these concerns. By addressing this issue head-on, they are not only showing their commitment to their employees but also ensuring that they are better equipped to handle any challenges that come their way. It’s essential for companies to prioritize training and rehearsals to maintain a productive and effective work environment.
During training sessions in the rehearsal room, a representative from the production crew will now be in attendance. Moreover, there’s an enhancement of resources allocated to assist both renowned contestants and skilled dancers.
Two new roles will be created: a Celebrity Well-being Coordinator and a Dance Troupe Well-being Supervisor, who will take on additional responsibilities. Furthermore, the production team and staff will receive extra coaching.
Kate Phillips, the head of BBC’s Unscripted productions, stated: “We understand that our shows bring joy to most participants. However, if concerns arise or we learn about unacceptable conduct, we will promptly investigate and take appropriate action.”
worries that surfaced are primarily about training and preparations. The significant actions we’re announcing today will enhance the care and resources provided for all those associated with this project.
Within hours, Zara, a previous contestant on Love Island, spoke out publicly about the controversy for the first time.
On Tuesday morning, she shared on Instagram that being part of Strictly was a dream come true for her most of the time. However, she acknowledged some unpleasant incidents occurred within the training room with Graziano that left her feeling very upset.
“Zara believed sharing her thoughts was appropriate after the latest news headlines, she explained. She’s always been captivated by ‘Strictly,’ a TV show that held her childhood dreams.”
Being asked to join the show as a contestant brought back memories of my long-held childhood dream. I acknowledged the demands and effort required for Strictly, and I poured all my energy into making it a reality.
‘I am a resilient person and I was fully prepared to put in whatever it took.’
In every way, my time on Strictly surpassed my wildest dreams. The entire production crew, the people working behind the scenes, and my fellow contestants were all incredible to work with.
Despite my expectations, my time in the training room proved to be quite contrasting. There have been allegations concerning my conduct during filming, with several people present to corroborate these accounts and footage of certain occurrences that are deeply upsetting to view.
Zara explained that she didn’t report the incidents at the time as she was ‘scared’ of backlash.
During the probe into professional dancer Giovanni, it was the junior production team members who spoke up about what they had observed.
“I’ve struggled with the apprehension of sharing openly. I was anxious about potential criticism from the public, uncertain about what the future held, and worried about being blamed as a victim,” Zara posted on Instagram.
After many heartfelt talks with my dear ones, I’ve found the courage to tackle my fears head-on. When the BBC invited me to share my experiences on their program, I did so honestly and openly.
In today’s world, where social media opinions are prevalent, it can be challenging for individuals in our society to express their views openly. I’ve observed this trend frequently while collaborating with numerous women on my documentaries.
I’m grateful to the BBC and BBC Studios for their quick response and exceptional assistance. A big thank you also goes out to those who have contacted me. Your kindness is deeply appreciated. Warm regards, Zara.
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2024-07-20 19:50