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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Rachael Healy

Fresh crisis at ‘toxic’ Strictly as ex-staff claim they faced sexualised comments and cruelty

Professional dancer Graziano Di Prima, holding Zara McDermott, left Strictly after admitting he kicked his celebrity partner during a rehearsal for the show in 2023.
Professional dancer Graziano Di Prima, holding Zara McDermott, left Strictly after admitting he kicked his celebrity partner during a rehearsal for the show in 2023.
Photograph: Guy Levy/PA

Production staff who formerly worked on Strictly Come Dancing have complained of a toxic work culture and accused the BBC of failing to take their complaints seriously, in a fresh blow to the corporation’s primetime show, the Observer can reveal.

One former staff member alleged they had been subjected to sexist and sexualised comments, including intrusive questions about their sex life, while another claimed they witnessed “talented co-workers treated with cruelty”.

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