Strictly Come Dancing wins Talent Show gong at the National Television Awards after string of scandals

The dance competition has been under fire in recent years for a series of scandals including Wynne Evans’ vile sexual slur on the Strictly tour, Graziano Di Prima axing after he was found to have kicked his celebrity partner Zara McDermott, and Amanda Abbington’s bullying accusations.

Although the show won big, its presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly and its dancing cast were not present as they were pre-recording their launch show of the new series.

Instead, some of the most recent series contestants went on stage to accept the award including Pete Wicks, JB Gill, Tasha Ghouri and Montell Douglas.

Pete and JB both thanked the show’s fans during their speeches and Pete also gave a special thanks to the show’s backstage crew.

JB praised 2024 winners Chris McClausland and Dianne Buswell for ‘making history’ as Chris was the first blind person for winning the show. 

It comes after Strictly has been embroiled in a series of controversies in recent years.

In August, it was reported that a Strictly star had been arrested on suspicion of rape.

The male suspect is reportedly being ‘quizzed by police over allegations involving non-consensual intimate image abuse’.

A Met spokesman told Daily Mail: ‘On Friday, August 22, officers arrested a man on suspicion of rape and non-consensual intimate image abuse.

‘This is a joint investigation with Hertfordshire Constabulary and while the investigation is in its early stages, we urge anyone with any information to come forward to us.

‘The arrest follows a third party allegation of sexual and drug-related offences. Enquiries are ongoing.’

The Met Police also added the alleged rape victim is being supported by specialist officers.

A BBC spokesperson said: ‘It would not be appropriate to comment on an ongoing police investigation.’

There is nothing to suggest this is related to the current Strictly production.  

It’s the biggest crisis the scandal-hit show has had to face, just weeks before the 2025 series returns to screen. 

During the last series, Wynne Evans, 53, was accused of inappropriate behaviour and forced to apologise for making an unacceptable sexual remark on stage at a press event. He denied it was a sexual remark but was later sacked by the BBC. 

In 2023, Amanda Abbington, 51, complained about Giovanni Pernice, 34, being ‘unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean’. 

Whilst he was cleared of the ‘overwhelming majority’ of allegations, a probe did uphold some of her complaints of verbal bullying and harassment. 

The same year, former Love Island contestant Zara McDermott, 28, was left ‘incredibly distressed’ following her experience in the training room with Graziano Di Prima, 31, who admitted to kicking the documentary maker, resulting in his axing. 

The broadcaster has already launched an inquiry into the family show amid claims two of its stars had used cocaine.

One of the stars involved in the drugs probe was also suspected of drinking while working on the show after crew smelt alcohol on their breath.

The Sun alleged that it was widely known that the pair, who have not been named, took the Class A substance, and that one of these Strictly performers was known for being a drinker.

The publication have now reported that junior members of the team were asked to keep an eye on them during last year’s show and to look for signs that they may have been boozing during work hours.

A TV insider said: ‘The person in question is renowned for loving to party, and that is a major problem when it impacts on their ability to do the job they need to do on Strictly in a safe and professional manner. 

‘It’s not just about something being illegal or legal, it’s about the BBC’s workplace policies and how the behaviour of certain individuals can impact on their work colleagues.

‘On a very physical show like Strictly, with lots of sets and moving parts, the idea of someone being intoxicated in any way is wholly unacceptable.’ 

A member of the crew, who reportedly worked on show for a decade until 2023, broke their silence on Strictly’s wild behind the scenes parties which they claimed were fulled by drink and drugs.

He told The Sun: ‘The main partying is on site at Elstree after filming of the live show has finished. Boozing and drug taking goes on until 3am, sometimes 4am. The smoking area outside is a hive of activity. Cocaine gets taken there’.

He went on to claim that drug use was so common on the show, that when he found a suspicious bag of white powder, a unfazed senior producer told him to ‘leave it on my desk’ as the incident failed to raise even an eyebrow. 

The staff member also said the show’s annual special filmed at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom was an especially ‘big party night’ full of debauchery. 

‘I was offered cocaine by a star at an after show party. Lots of people would go back to the hotel. It was a closed-off party, just for the cast and crew. It went on until 5am, even to 6am, it was insane. People were wired and you could see it in their eyes’. 

A BBC spokesperson told Daily Mail: ‘We have clear protocols and policies in place for dealing with any serious complaint raised with us. We would always encourage people to speak to us if they have concerns. It would not be appropriate for us to comment further.’

BBC bosses are reportedly set to offer professional support to two stars of hit dancing show Strictly, amid allegations they took cocaine on the programme.  

It was revealed the broadcaster has hired a law firm to probe allegations of drug taking by two individuals, whose drug use is said to be ‘well-known’ on the show.

The claims were reportedly made in a legal submission to the BBC by law firm Russells back in March, on behalf of former contestant Wynne Evans.

A source told the newspaper: ‘The BBC is taking the allegations really seriously. Bosses are aware of the two stars in question and have a duty of care to make sure they’re okay. 

‘As per BBC policy, the option of specialised professional support is on the table and will be offered.’

They added: ‘While drug testing won’t happen on the main show, bosses are considering bringing in random checks for the tour next year.

‘The BBC needs to be sure nothing illegal is going on. It all depends on what the investigation finds.’

Elsewhere, in further scandals for the BBC, Gregg Wallace was recently dismissed from MasterChef after more than 40 complaints against him were upheld following a BBC investigation.

While his co-star John Torode was also sacked after two decades over allegations that he used the N-word, which he claims to have ‘absolutely no recollection’ of.

In separate further controversy, it’s recently been reported that Naga Munchetty could face an investigation from BBC bosses after she was accused of bullying a junior colleague.

The BBC Breakfast host, 50, has been placed ‘under review’ while bosses consider escalating complaints to a formal investigation, The Sun reports.

A source said higher-ups had heard from several colleagues and logged concerns over her ‘hard’ and ‘bullying’ behaviour on the breakfast show, as well as her Radio 5 Live show.