Janette Manrara urges Strictly stars to open up to her if they have issues after scandal

Janette Manrara (Image: Getty)

Janette Manrara has urged this year's Strictly Come Dancing stars to "open up to her" about any issues they're experiencing following the show's bullying scandal.

The BBC flagship show was plunged into controversy earlier this year when celebrities Amanda Abbington and Zara McDermott alleged "bullying" and abuse claims over their former professionals Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima.

Janette, who presents It Takes Two alongside Fleur East has now spoken up about the scandal on Naga Munchetty's BBC Radio 5 Live show and admitted it "killed her" that some celebrities have had bad experiences.

The former professional told Naga that certain couples "simply don't get along" but stressed that It Takes Two is a "safe space" for everyone involved.

function loadOvpScript(){let el=document.createElement('script');el.setAttribute('src','https://live.primis.tech/live/liveView.php?s=118222&playerApiId=v118222');document.getElementById('ovp-primis').appendChild(el)} window.top.addEventListener('primisPlayerInit',e=>{try{if(e.detail&&e.detail.playerApiId==="v118222"){if(window.document.getElementsByClassName('jwplayer')[0]){e.detail.float('disable')}}}catch(e){}});window.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded',()=>{setTimeout(()=>{if(typeof flagTcfLoaded!=='undefined'&&flagTcfLoaded===!0){loadOvpScript() ExpressApp.Log('[Load] OVP flagTcfLoaded',new Date())}else{document.addEventListener("tcfLoaded",()=>{loadOvpScript() ExpressApp.Log('[Load] OVP tcfLoaded',new Date())})}},1500)})

She said: "It's where the celebrities and the professionals can come and sit down and have a debrief of their feelings, how their week actually went and the ups and the downs of the week.

Janette Manrara (Image: Getty)

Read More... Janette Manrara on struggle of 'parenting solo' as Aljaz returns to Strictly [LATEST]

"So, I really do hope that when we get the couples on that sofa with myself and with Fleur that they feel they can open up if it has been a tough week and if it hasn't gone to plan or things didn't go well."

An investigation into some claims made by the celebrities is now ongoing and the findings are expected to be published in the coming days.

Giovanni denies all claims made against him. Graziano also left the show, with it being revealed that he kicked Love Island star Zara McDermott during one of their rehearsals.

Graziano apologised but later said: “I didn’t deliberately hurt anyone. I am not a monster. I am not an abusive man,” adding that his mental health had been affected and he’d been plagued by “ugly thoughts”. 

Don't Miss...
Strictly Come Dancing stars' salaries explored including huge pay rise [EXPOSED]
Strictly Dianne Buswell's has two-word reply as she faces fan fury before launch [LATEST]
BBC 'under huge pressure' as verdict for Giovanni Pernice probe expected [REPORT]

window.topArticlesScript="https://cdn.images.express.co.uk/js/dist/article-top-articles20240903.min.js" SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

Janette said: "The controversy around Strictly has made me sad. It's my 11th year on it and I know how hard everyone works. So when you hear someone had a bad experience it does kill you a little bit.

"You just want everyone to have the best time and do their absolute best. And that's not always the case. Some couple's just don't get along.

"But when it gets to the point it has done for some of these people you know it's serious. I'm happy the BBC is taking measures so that it doesn't happen again."

Ahead of the new series, the BBC said it would introduce new welfare measures including a chaperone who will be present “at all times” during rehearsals.



Janette Manrara urges Strictly stars to open up to her if they have issues after scandal

Janette Manrara urges Strictly stars to open up to her if they have issues after scandal

Janette Manrara urges Strictly stars to open up to her if they have issues after scandal

Janette Manrara urges Strictly stars to open up to her if they have issues after scandal
Janette Manrara urges Strictly stars to open up to her if they have issues after scandal
Ads Links by Easy Branches
Play online games for free at games.easybranches.com
Guest Post Services www.easybranches.com/contribute