How professionals chasing social media fame may undo Strictly Come Dancing

Graziano Di Prima, one of those to quit Strictly, says he ‘deeply regrets’ some of his behaviour, which included kicking Zara McDermott during rehearsals. Photograph: Guy Levy/PA

During its first 20 years on air Strictly Come Dancing scandals have been largely confined to on-screen drama, off-screen snogging and the odd trip to the divorce courts.

Yet this week one of the BBC’s most successful shows is on the precipice after an unnamed third professional dancer was accused of domineering behaviour in rehearsals, with two already having left the programme in recent weeks.