Strictly Come Dancing hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have reportedly made it clear where their loyalties lie amidst the ongoing scandal engulfing the BBC show after Graziano Di Prima and Giovanni Pernice’s exits.
Tess, 55, has been at the helm of the Saturday staple since its inception 20 years ago. Claudia, 52, joined her permanently in 2014, replacing the late Bruce Forsyth.
While the presenters are reportedly “shocked” by the allegations, they have “vowed to stand by the show” and will return for its 20th anniversary.
A source told The Sun: "Just like everyone else, Tess and Claudia are shocked by the allegations which are coming to light. Naturally, in light of the show being plunged into scandal, those who work on the programme have speculated if either of them will want to jump ship...
"However, privately both Tess and Claudia have vowed to stand by the show and co-present this year's series in a few months. To them Strictly is very much a family and they want to give the show and bosses their full support."
The Express has contacted Tess and Claudia's representatives for comment.
Earlier on Thursday, Graziano’s spokesperson said he has been left in a “very vulnerable state” after allegations about his treatment of Zara McDermott.
Mark Borkowski confirmed the 30-year-old did kick the Love Island star, 27, once during rehearsals and said he “knows he made a mistake” and “apologised at the time”.
He added to the PA news agency: "This week the news agenda has focused on an isolated incident that Mr Di Prima deeply regrets and apologised for at the time.
"The deluge of commentary, too often without context or nuance, has provoked a pile-on that has left a young man in a very vulnerable state. In this case, like in many others, media and social media have immense power to build and destroy careers."
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Graziano confirmed his departure from the show over the weekend, saying in a statement: "I deeply regret the events that led to my departure from Strictly. My intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime.
"Respecting the BBC HR process, I understand it's best for the show that I step away."
Zara later addressed his sacking, saying she had feared "public backlash" and "victim shaming" if she spoke out.
She wrote on Instagram: "So much of my Strictly experience was everything I could have dreamed of...
"However, my experience inside the training room was very different. Reports have been made about my treatment on the show and there were witnesses to some events, as well as videos of particular incidents which are incredibly distressing to watch."
She added that she had spoken "candidly" to the BBC about her time on the show.
Giovanni Pernice, 33, has also exited the dance show after allegations about his teaching methods, which he denies.
The Italian star said in a social media post last month that he has "always rejected any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour".
In response to the scandal, the BBC has announced "additional steps to strengthen welfare and support".
A member of the production team will now be present "at all times" during training room rehearsals and there will be a celebrity welfare producer and a professional dancer welfare producer.
