Giovanni Pernice's ex-Strictly partner leads support for pro stars

Giovanni Pernice's former Strictly dance partner Michelle Visage led the support for the pros amid the controversy about the show's culture.

The BBC show is officially underway as the professional dancers reunited for the first rehearsals of the 2024 series. It comes after Paralympian Will Bayley spoke out about his 2019 injury in rehearsals in the wake of the Strictly crisis.

The BBC show has been under scrutiny after Amanda Abbington left the 2023 series early and later claimed Giovanni Pernice was "militant" when it came to teaching. Pernice rejected any suggestion of "abusive or threatening behaviour". The dancer left the show after nine years.

As BBC began their internal investigations, it came to light that Graziano Di Prima kicked 2023 partner Zara McDermott in rehearsals. His representative Mark Borkowski told BBC News. "He knows he's made a mistake. He apologised at the time." Consequently, Di Prima was sacked from the 2024 line-up.

McDermott broke her silence to say on Instagram: "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."

Despite the drama, all the pros for the 2024 series were present in the first rehearsal and smiling. Everyone gathered around for the photo including: Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Amy Dowden, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas, Vito Coppola and Aljaz Skorjanec.

Skorjanec also shared the same smiling training photograph on his own Instagram. He wrote: "First day back on Strictly. Wow. I love it. I'm so excited to dance again. I'm absolutely exhausted, it's not even lunchtime yet, but I'm so happy to be dancing again. I can't wait for the rest of it I can't wait for lunch."

So who are the stars and past contestants who are supporting the show?

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The stars supporting Strictly's pros

While The Traitors star may have kept out of the controversy surrounding Strictly so far, Claudia Winkleman of course made her alliance clear when preparations for the BBC show officially got underway. The Strictly host shared a string of hearts beneath the post on the BBC's official Instagram account.

Her co-host Tess Daly's husband Vernon Kay also championed the show's pro dancers getting back together. He wrote: "Yes team!!!"

There were plenty of past contestants too who wanted to share their support after the drama that has been unfolding. Visage, who danced with Pernice and admitted to fighting every day during their fiery partnership, gave her backing to the BBC show. Plus, she hinted she would love to go back too. She wrote: "I keep offering my services as a pro to @jasongilkison but I get no response."

Krishnan Guru-Murthy, who danced with Oakley in 2023, said: "Have a great series guys! Keep bringing the joy. Xxx."

Annabel Croft, who starred on the 2023 series with Radebe, wrote: "How exciting. have a wonderful series - I can’t wait to watch."

Gemma Atkinson, who previously starred on the show in 2017 and has started a family with pro dancer Marquez, said: "Can’t wait to watch!"

Courtney Act also added: "I spy with my little eye something beginning with M! It’s my amazing dance partner Mr @joshuakeefedancer! How exciting he’s back on the Strictly team!!! Next step convince them to have us on the Christmas Special, Mr Joshua!!!"

Sara Davies, who danced with Skorjanec, wrote: "Awww it makes my heart so happy seeing all those happy faces on there!"

Fleur East, who starred on the BBC show with Coppola, shared applause emojis beneath the Instagram post too.