Strictly's Will Mellor insists celebrities need to be "b******" by dance partners - and hopes the bullying probe won't damage the BBC programme.
The 48-year-old actor made it to the show's semi-final's in 2022 and is still close to his dance partner Nancy Xu.
He hopes that Amanda Abbington's bullying allegations against professional dancer Giovanni Pernice won't "ruin the show", which begins on Saturday.
Will said: "Strictly was the hardest thing I've ever done in the entertainment industry. But for anybody who goes into it, don't go into it with your eyes closed and think it's a bit of a reality show.
"You've got to work hard and if you don't work hard you get found out. You've got to listen to your dance partner and get b****cked every now and again. So be prepared for that.
"Because they know what you are doing and you are live on TV in four or five days.
"You have to get it right and if you leave early at least you can walk away saying I gave it everything. Don't cut corners. Trust your dance partner. I adore Nancy Xiu. We are still close."
Will spoke at the National TV Awards afterparty where celebs drank Heineken and Kylie Minogue's Prosecco after his hit show Mr Bates Versus The Post Office picked up the New Drama and Impact Award.
Strictly also reigned supreme picking up Best Talent show, an award voted for by the public.
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It comes as Strictly are set to release the findings of the probe into Giovanni Pernice, accused of allegedly bullying actress Amanda Abbingdon. He denies the claims.
Will said he didn't know Giovanni or Amanda but added: "I hope it doesn't ruin the show and the experience for anybody else. It's a tough show. Be prepared for how hard it is."
It comes as BBC staff have had their emails, texts and WhatsApps examined as part of the bullying investigation.
Members of the crew have had their phones searched for references to Giovanni or Amanda - a request understood to have been made to the BBC by Amanda’s team, to provide any personal data or information that might shed light on Gio and Amanda’s relationship.
A source said: “People complied with it in the hope that it shoots down any claims of a cover-up.”
The investigation was launched by the corporation following allegations that Amanda was subjected to “nasty” bullying by Giovanni for the duration of last year’s show.
He denies the allegations and the results of the probe are thought to be due soon.
A source added: “Hopefully we’ll be able to draw a line under this once and for all, especially with the show set to start.”
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The row threatens to overshadow the 20th anniversary series of the hit BBC1 dance competition, which begins on Saturday.
In one interview, Sherlock star Amanda, 50, said: “It was inappropriate, it was mean, it was nasty, it was bullying and I put up with it for five, six weeks. It started very early on and when it started to happen I would shut down... I recognised those red flags.”
She added: “‘I was going into the rehearsal room every day. I’ve been in rehearsal rooms for 32 years. I know what rehearsal rooms are supposed to be like. I don’t care what background you’re from – whether it’s dancing, acting, singing – you have a duty of care to bring into that rehearsal room compassion, understanding, sensitivity and kindness.”
Giovanni, 34, has left the show but has maintained from the start that he expects to be cleared.
Amanda has received support from TV presenter Laura Whitmore, who alleged she was subjected to “inappropriate behaviour” while competing on the show. Laura was partnered with Giovanni in 2016, but did not name him.
Another dancer, Graziano Di Prima, was sacked by the BBC after he was caught on camera appearing to kick his 2023 dance partner, Love Island star Zara McDermott.
Ahead of the new series and following the allegations, the corporation said a chaperone will be present “at all times” during rehearsals.
