BBC Strictly: Reason why Giovanni and Graziano left - a timeline of show controversy
Strictly Come Dancing has been one of the BBC's most adored shows ever since it first aired two decades ago. However over the last year the show has come under fire time and time again.
Most of the backlash has surrounded two of its professional dancers - Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima - who have both now left the show. Giovanni, who was partnered with actress Amanda Abbington in 2023's series, has denied any suggestions of abusive or threatening behaviour during rehearsals.
Meanwhile Graziano Di Prima confirmed he kicked TV star partner Zara McDermott once during rehearsals last year. The BBC promised it would handle any complaints with "care, fairness and sensitivity". However, many unanswered questions about what really happened still remain.
READ MORE: BBC Strictly's Jamie Borthwick's life off-screen - real age, famous cousin and crush on co-star
Despite the issues raised over the last 12 months, the show returns for another series on Saturday evening (September 14). Below is a timeline of everything that has happened so far. For the latest TV & Showbiz news, sign up to our newsletter
October 23 2023 - Amanda pulls out of Strictly
Strictly: It Takes Two host, Fleur East confirmed the exit of Amanda from the 2023 competition on October 23. She read out a brief statement from the BBC about the exit.
It read: "Amanda Abbington is unable to continue in Strictly Come Dancing and has decided to withdraw from the competition. The show wishes her all the best for the future." A source told the Daily Star that Amanda had chosen to leave and was "fed up".
October 24 2023 - Amanda issues first statement
Amanda shared a lengthy statement on social media addressing her exit. It read: "It is with deepest regret that I had to leave Strictly," she penned. "I did not come to this decision easily or lightly but for personal reasons I am unable to continue. It was an absolute joy working with my fellow contestants, they are a beautiful, hardworking and talented group of people who I love and who I will miss seeing every Friday and Saturday and competing alongside.”
January 7 2024 - Amanda 'asks for footage' of her training with Giovanni
A report has claimed that Amanda Abbington requested rehearsal footage from her time on Strictly Come Dancing.
January 11 2024 - Giovanni issues first statement
In an Instagram post promoting new live show Let Me Entertain You, he wrote: “I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who has sent messages of support over the last week – I really truly appreciate it – thank you thank you thank you.”
January 14 2024 - Amanda says she has PTSD and received death threats
Amanda thanked her fans for their support in a new interview with The Sun on Sunday. She added how she had received death threats following a PTSD diagnosis. She told the newspaper: "I was diagnosed with mild PTSD after Strictly for several reasons and I told a few people about that, in the utmost confidence, among other things that were happening in my life at the time both professionally and personally. I’m very sorry that people felt the need to send me death threats, threaten my children and bring up my past, healthy relationship with an ex-partner as an indicator of my current mental health."
May 19 2024 - Giovanni issues statement about his teaching style
Following reports in the media about his teaching methods Giovanni said he was "surprised". He rejected "any suggestion of abusive of threatening behaviour".
May 29 2024 - BBC says it handles complaints fairly
The BBC promised to handle any complaints with "care, fairness and sensitivity" to all sides,. It came after legal firm Carter Ruck has said it has contacted the BBC regarding "numerous serious complaints" about his alleged behaviour while filming Strictly.
The broadcaster published a statement reading: "Recently, we have seen a number of media reports about a high profile show. We would urge people not to indulge in speculation....Whilst we know our shows have been positive experiences for many of those who have taken part, we will always look at any issues raised with care, fairness and sensitivity to everyone concerned. We will not be commenting further."
June 10 2024 - Giovanni out of 2024 line up
Following rumours that Giovanni would not compete in the 2024 series, the BBC did not announce the star as part of its line up of professionals.
July 13 2024 - Graziano confirms he is leaving show
In a statement on Instagram, Graziano said he had "deep regrets" in whatever lead up to his departure. He acknowledged his "intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime".
A BBC spokesperson confirmed he was "no longer a part of the line-up of professional dancers for the upcoming series" In 2023 he danced with former Love Island star and TV presenter Zara McDermott.
July 16 2024 - Zara McDermott issues first statement
After unfollowing Graziano on Instagram Zara issued a detailed statement. She said that a fear of being victim shamed prevented her from speaking out sooner.
Part of Zara's statement read: "I felt it was right that I post something regarding the recent media reports. Strictly is one of the most magical shows on TV and one that I dreamt of being on since I was a little girl.
"When I was invited to be a contestant on the show it really was a childhood dream come true. I fully understood the level of commitment and hard work that Strictly was going to be and I dedicated everything to it. I am a resilient person and I was fully prepared to put in whatever it took...And so much of my Strictly experience was everything I could have dreamt of.
"The entire production team and everyone behind the scenes as well as my fellow contestants were so amazing to work with. However, my experience inside the training room was very different...I have wrestled with the fear of opening up- I was scared about public backlash, I was scared about my future, I was scared of victim shaming."
July 18 2024 - Graziano spokesman admits 'mistake'
A spokesman for Graziano confirmed the star kicked Zara once during rehearsals in 2023, which led to his removal from the show. "There is never a time when kicking, or any sense of that is right," Mark Borkowski told BBC News. "And he knows that. He knows he's made a mistake. He apologised at the time."
July 20 2024 - Craig Revel Horwood speaks out
Speaking on BBC Radio Wales Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood said he found out about the allegations "through the press". He said the complaints about professional dancers came as a "shock" to him.
July 21 2024 - Amanda describes Giovanni's behaviour as 'cruel and mean'
Speaking to the Sun on Sunday Amanda alleged Giovanni's behaviour was "unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean". She claimed the BBC had been aware of his behaviour for years. In interviews with Channel 4 News and ITV's Lorraine later in the week, she described her Strictly training room as "a toxic environment".
July 23 2024 - BBC boss apologises for complaints
The BBC's director general, Tim Davie, apologised to Strictly contestants who had negative experiences. Speaking at the launch of the BBC's annual report, he said he was "disappointed" to hear that several celebrity contestants had complained about abusive behaviour from professional partners in rehearsals.
He confirmed the show would return but warned that professionals should not cross the line from competitive to "unacceptable" behaviour. He added: "There will be a degree of competitiveness and will to do well, but there are limits and the line should never be crossed. We never tolerate unacceptable behaviour of any kind."
July 27 2024 - Laura Whitmore speaks out
Irish TV presenter Laura Whitmore alleged she was subjected to “inappropriate behaviour” during her stint on the show. The former Love Island host was partnered with professional dancer Giovanni Pernice in 2016, and was the seventh celebrity eliminated. Laura, who battled through an ankle injury during the early weeks of the BBC One show, claimed she “raised concerns” at the time.
She wrote on Instagram: “I initially raised concerns back in 2016. I thought my experience was specific to me but I’ve since learned I was wrong. The aim of this is to show a pattern of behaviour that I believe needs to stop. My evidence is to support other people’s experience. It’s a shame it takes this for someone to be heard. I am not looking for anything just an acceptance that what happened to me in the rehearsal rooms during my time on BBC Strictly was wrong and that it won’t happen to anyone else again."
August 7 2024 - Junior staff speak out
BBC News spoke to 15 current and former members of staff on the show about its culture behind the scenes. Some told a positive story of dancers and staff who were kind and respectful to them, the BBC reported. But others said workers were bullied and junior employees were shouted at by professional dancers.
A BBC Studios spokesperson said they don't recognise the claims, nor will "hundreds of production personnel" who have worked across the show's two decades. They apologised if anyone didn't feel able to raise their experiences at the time, adding: "The welfare and safety of our crew on each series has always been, and remains, our utmost priority.”