Strictly contestants Nick Knowles and Toyah Willcox address scandal surrounding show

New Strictly Come Dancing contestants Nick Knowles and Toyah Willcox have addressed the ongoing scandal surrounding the series.

The popular BBC show has weathered a storm this year due to allegations about the conduct of two of their professional dancers, Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima, in the training room last year.

Pernice has denied all allegations of abusive or threatening behaviour and an investigation is ongoing, while Di Prima admitted he had kicked his celebrity partner Zara McDermott in a rehearsal. Neither dancer will appear on this year's show.

Addressing the scandal at a press event, DIY SOS presenter Nick insisted the contestants are being "so looked after" by their partners and the management team.

"We've got psychological support if we need to talk to anybody at any stage, we've got physios to look after us. So from our point of view, it's an amazing experience," he told reporters, according to the Radio Times.

"Just to say, historically, I haven't been involved with it, but actually, it's important that people are listened to, and they have been so that seems, to me, all good."

Eighties singer and actress Toyah praised the new measures that were introduced as a result of the scandal, such as having a chaperone present in all rehearsals.

"We have people with us all the time. We have an openness that we can talk immediately if we have any concerns," she stated, reports BBC News. "I can't bear the thought of anyone suffering anything but we've all come into this knowing what's expected of us, and it is 100% commitment."

Former JLS singer JB Gill added that Strictly producers have "put steps in place now to hopefully avoid any further situations like that" while comedian Chris McCausland, the first blind contestant, joked that the chaperone is "an extra person to show me where the toilet is".

This year's celebrity line-up also includes reality stars Tasha Ghouri and Pete Wicks, singer/actor Shayne Ward and former hockey player Sam Quek, among others.

Strictly Come Dancing launches on Saturday 14 September.