So sad about Strictly.

[CurlewKate]

It's been part of our family life since it started. I really wanted to think it was as wholesome and joyous and life affirming as it looked, even though I knew it probably wasn't.

And there are celebrities that I feel differently about now because they didn't blow the whistle.😢

Oh, I see. Not as far as I’ve ever read or heard, no; they seem (at least) to be a united front.

Im half Italian and i completely recognise what you have said.

It is in the context of what the show generates income wise, what the presenters get paid (like £150k) and the level and intensity of work the dancers do compared to the presenters.

It's a bit of a daft argument imo - wages are not based on how hard people work - lots of people who work hard get paid a relatively low wage. It's not abusive that farmers, nurses, miners, fishermen and carers get paid less than Pep Guardiola. There are lots of dancers good enough to work on strictly. Very few people can present a live 2.5hr Saturday night entertainment show on BBC1.

Third person involved in the investigation. Might it be James

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13643589/Strictly-scandal-deepens-footage-ex-pro-James-Jordan-throwing-chair-telling-partner-Georgina-Bouzova-drag-floor-kill-emerges.html

I wouldn’t judge those who don’t blow the whistle - it’s hard to do this. Culture of fear, of being cancelled, career gone. I can understand why those who went through it don’t speak out. I also agree with a lot of you that these dancers went through this so just repeat and the cycle continues.

however - no men coming out saying women abused them. Hmmm. Abuse of women yet. Again.

I would have thought it was more likely to be Artem as Fern Britton complained he shoved and kicked her in training. He denied it. This was reported in the press.

Something that’s not been mentioned is how successful Giovanni’s training methods were. I remember thinking how beautiful Amanda’s dancing was and what a gorgeous well matched couple they made. I didn’t realise the cost to her, but I wonder if she didn’t feel some satisfaction? And Giovanni’s achievements with Rose the deaf actress were inspirational. So I don’t know what to think. I’ve seen less of Graziano’s work, but never liked him as a personality as he always seemed to be pushing himself to the front of the cameras to be seen.

Meh, strictly production staff assess the celebs before they are paired with the dancers. They knew Gio was a favourite of older female fans and paired him up with those that had potential. Thus keeping him in for longer- keeping the fans glued.
The one year he had Ritchie (straight after he won with Rose, I think to keep things fair), Gio couldnt really do much. You could see Gio’s frustration and I always felt really sorry for Ritchie. He tried but was no good. So I think Gio was just given the best celebs

Gio should have been with a woman. Same sex couples make sense if they're both gay but a gay man with a straight man wtf?

Nikita isn't gay and his partnership with Layton still worked 🤷‍♀️

There have been other same sex pairings where the pro wasn't gay. The majority in fact, I think. I don't think it matters that much

Not read the whole thread.

The late Lynda Bellingham had similar problems that Amanda and Zara experienced with her dance partner, Darren Bennett.

That was the first celebrity that I remember talking about the strained situations with their dance partner.

Nah, Darren wasn't abusive - he was just Dull Darren allegedly. Lynda wanted a laugh and apparently he was very serious and never smiled. Personality clash perhaps but not assault/barrage on any level.

Richie showed a lot of potential with his Quickstep.

The two gay pros are Jojo and Carlos.
That certainly does not mean they should only have male partners from hereon in. Talk about pigeonholing.
Susan Calman wanted Kevin and they had a great relationship.
Jojo has danced well with all his female partners.
Nikita did a great job with Layton.

How do you prepare young people for sexual harassment in a competitive industry where a no can end your career? Genuine question?

imho at the outset no one factored in that the pros could themselves become celebs in their own right.

they want the exposure so want their celebrity partner to ensure they win all their rounds for more exposure. It has created a monster.

I've always wondered if there is a third person in each training room and reassured myself there must be.
The training and performing involves body to body contact, both participants need safeguarding.

Exactly this. Is a dance show really the cause for outrage with all that is happening in the world?

Like a couple of PPs i've given up watching the whole show, there's just too much mad seal clapping and shrieking, too much "I've made a friend for life" and waaay too much "i'm dancing for my dead nan". Spare us the histrionics please, and footage of them at home with their families etc. I don't think it adds anything to the show.

I honestly think they need a new presenting duo. (150k?! blimey) Tess is very capable & the show runs very smoothly but she's still, after 20 years, really wooden and somehow cold, despite all the gurning. And Claudia is lovely but too fond of whipping everyone up, hence all the shrieking and totes emosh all over the shop.
I'm getting nostalgic for the days of Bruce and dancers like Matthew Cutler now!

My best friend at school was Italian and she was slapped senseless by her mother. It was something I witnessed quite a few times. A conversation would turn and then get quite heated and she'd get slapped for 'answering back'.

My mother was French so I am also familiar with the slap, but nowhere as near as much as my Italian friend, Maria... This was what it was like growing up in the 1970s.

I'm wondering if it is a cultural thing? What's happened to the slap, do parents still slap their kids today in Italy? Is the slap an anachronism from the past? Is it now considered abuse?

I wonder if Dancing with the stars has the same sort of allegations and controversies?

If we're not to talk about a dance show on mumsnet, maybe you could provide a list of approved subjects we can talk about?

My honest answer ? Ensure they know that no job or career is worth putting up with abuse, and be prepared to walk away from it.

Anyone else notice Amanda Platel's sudden change of course in her coverage of the Strictly saga? After a series of articles about snowflakes who just couldn't handle the work, she's suddenly come out saying heads must roll at the BBC for allowing this shameful abuse to go on so long!

www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-13639135/AMANDA-PLATELL-real-reason-Strictly-bosses-appear-desperate-cover-Graziano-scandal.html