Strictly Come Dancing pro warns 'celebrities need to know what they're walking into'

A former Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer has warned celebrities taking part in the under-fire TV show that's it's important they know what they're getting into.

Camilla Sacre-Dallerup appeared on ITV's Lorraine on Friday morning to talk about the prime-time Saturday night show in the wake of recent controveries which has seen two pro-dancers, Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima, leave the series following allegations from former dance partners about their treatment in rehearsals.

Since then the Strictly scandal has escalated with many other allegations from celebrites who have appeared on the show, including one from Paralympian Will Bayley who says he endured an injury after jumping from a table.

Camilla, who won series six with Holby City actor Tom Chambers, told host Christime Lampard she felt "shocked and surprised" by the headlines as Strictly was a "magical chapter" in her life.

Discussing her approach to training, Camilla, who left the show in 2009, said it was important for celebrities to share what they wanted from the experience so they knew what they were walking into and the pro dancers could manage expectations.

She said: "I think what became really important to me, I think from season two even, was to always sit down and have a big conversation with my celebrity partner so I understand what they want from the journey - was it a little bit of fun or to change their career altogether? Did they want to make the semi-final or the final? Or they didn't care perhaps, they just wanted to have fun.

"The training schedule was going to look quite different if we were having fun or you wanted to make the final. You had to manage everyone's expectation."

Camilla, who was talking via video live from California, also paid tribute to the pro dancers saying she fels "very protective" of them. She said: "I know how hard they work. Sometimes as a pro ancer, you're part therapist, part motivational speaker and part teacher. I feel for my pro dancers right now and sending lots of love for the series ahead."

The interview came a day after Amanda Abbington appeared on Lorraine. The actress left the 2023 series early after complaining about her treatment from pro dancer Giovanni.

Host Christine asked her at what point she realised her Strictly experience wasn't what she had initially thought.

She replied: "Week one, the third day. I got texts to the producer on day three going, this is awful he hates me I don't know what I'm doing wrong, I'm trying my best, I promise you. That was the first week."

Amanda later explained she felt as though she has a right to speak out about the "toxic" environment she was in. She added: "I know what happened in that room and it would be remiss of me if I was to say, 'It's fine, I don't want to talk about it'."

Lorraine is on ITV weekdays at 9am