The BBC has been met with backlash over its response to allegations from former and current employees of Strictly Come Dancing.
Following the claims from celebrity stars, BBC Breakfast heard complaints from staff members about allegations of “bullying.”
However, the broadcaster defended the series, saying it “does not recognise” the claims and “encourages everyone to raise concerns over inappropriate behaviour via several avenues including anonymously.”
The BBC insisted: “We act speedily when any issues are raised, and have thorough, effective, and longstanding processes to manage them.”
They continued: “We’re sorry if anyone didn’t feel able to talk about their experience on set at the time.”
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This response left viewers unsatisfied as @Dc7073Bloss took to X and suggested: “If Strictly is that bad then maybe they shouldn't be doing another new show then?”
@ianperkins69 echoed: “Just bin the show. It’s past its sell-by date as it is anyway.”
@ChuckB321claimed: “#StrictlyComeDancing needs removed from programming.”
As @b98383450 demanded: “Get it off the air! Not at licence payers expense!”
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BBC Breakfast were able to speak to Strictly’s former employees anonymously including a runner who claimed: “The whole culture was toxic, especially for junior staff.
“I was called ‘stupid’ just for asking for a handover, it was bullying behaviour, I couldn’t sleep, I couldn’t eat.”
They continued: “One of the celebrities once got so close to me, he was shouting right in my face and spitting on me when all I was trying to do was pass on instructions.
“He later apologised but it should have never have happened in the first place. The fact that it was in front of everybody else made me feel awful and helpless”
A second alleged: “One of the male dancers who since left the show treated people in an insane way, the way he spoke to women including female dancers and junior staff was disgusting and chauvinistic.
“We’d been warned against working with him, I was in nobody, a little runner. I didn’t think I could complain.
An anonymous choreographer told BBC Breakfast: “Producers would get irate and shout at me even if the smallest thing went wrong, but I felt afraid to say anything back.
“There’s a sense that you’re lucky to be on the show as it is one of the biggest in the UK, so you should put up with all the problems you might face.”
