BBC Strictly star issues blunt three-word response to contestants needing chaperones

Former Strictly Come Dancing star Iwan Thomas MBE weighed in on the suggestion BBC bosses will be introducing chaperones " to strengthen welfare and support" when the programme returns to screens this Autumn during a debate on today’s Jeremy Vine Show on Channel 5.

The heated conversation was between the Welsh sprinter and former MP Ann Widdecombe, with the sportsman - who took part in the show in 2015 - addressing how a member of Strictly staff will be in all future rehearsals following complaints about two professional dancers.

The dancers in question are Giovanni Pernice, who has denied " any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour", and Graziano Di Prima. Earlier today, a Strictly spokesperson called Mark Borkowski confirmed to the BBC Graziano, 30, kicked his 2023 celebrity partner Zara McDermott once during rehearsals, stating: "He knows he's made a mistake. He apologised at the time."

As the debate got underway on Channel 5, Jeremy said: "Strictly is going through the wringer. I suppose, the issue now is chaperones." He asked his guest: "What do you think about chaperones, Iwan?"

Iwan frankly replied: "Well, it's a shame if they’re needed to be honest with you.

"The professional dancers, they… it's their livelihoods that's their career so they want to do as well as they can.

"And we all know you have to put the hours in to do well at Strictly. But there's a fine line between pushing someone too far and bullying… you know, there's no place for bullying, is there?"

However, Ann interjected by exclaiming to Iwan: "But they’re adults. They’re adults..."

She continued: "The celebrity is in charge, and you can always say, and I did on a couple of occasions, I can’t do that. I can't do that."

Jeremy cut in as she was speaking to stress: "You are different to some of the younger ones."

She clapped back: "If you put yourself in that milieu and you put yourself up for that sort of thing. I mean, I'm sorry. I'm just tired of the cult of victimhood."

The former Tory politician took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2010 and told Express.co.uk she feels the ongoing scandal is "all so pathetic".

Turning his attention back to Iwan, Jeremy asked if the ex-sprinter was in favour of chaperones, to which the athlete replied: "I don't think you need them. I don't think you should have to need them."

Ann argued that the camera acts as a chaperon during training, but Iwan made it known to Channel 5 viewers at home that the camera "isn't there all the time".

He concluded on a brighter note: "I think the main thing you want to come away from Strictly having loved the experience because it's amazing and the team are so good - the people who work for Strictly.

"It's lovely. It really, really is. You don't want to walk away feeling you've been victimized or bullied. I mean, no, there's no place for being bullied."

The Jeremy Vine Show airs Monday to Friday from 9am on Channel 5.