BBC's Strictly Come Dancing makes major format change following contestant complaints

Strictly Come Dancing chiefs are set to shake up the beloved programme's format, following allegations of abuse from past contestants.

There's talk that they will reinstate a weekly training hours limit, initially introduced to the BBC dance show last season. This cap restricts celebrities and their professional dance partners to 48 hours of rehearsal per week, which works out to roughly eight hours daily with one rest day.

Inside sources suggest competitors can divvy up these hours as they see fit, yet must stay within the 48-hour boundary. This measure aims to even out the competition field for all contestants.

A TV insider informed told the press: "The celebs have been told they have to stick to the cap. They're all incredibly competitive and desperate to do well. But bosses want to make sure everyone gets a fair crack of the whip, so they've laid out the rules."

Earlier this year, former Love Island presenter Laura Whitmore, who danced with Giovanni Pernice in 2016, expressed distress at "being removed from everybody" and "having to spend 12 hours a day with this one person.", reports the Mirror.

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It was reported that this weekly limit is being praised for levelling the playing field among stars, who juggle varying childcare and work responsibilities. The source said: "The spread of hours across the week is completely up to each celebrity."

The BBC decided to tighten up its rehearsal protocols by introducing formidable new guidelines, which include the constant presence of chaperones during practice sessions.

It was previously reported that BBC personnel are having their communications, including emails, text messages, and WhatsApp chats, scrutinised as part of an investigation into allegations of bullying on Strictly Come Dancing.

There's been a significant invasion into the private mobile phones of production staff in search for mentions of Giovanni Pernice or Amanda Abbington - both central figures in the controversy.

It seems that Amanda's representatives are behind a subject access request submitted to the BBC demanding all personal data which could potentially illuminate the nature of the interactions between Giovanni and Amanda.

An insider disclosed: "People complied with it in the hope that it shoots down any claims of a cover-up." Another source said: "Hopefully we'll be able to draw a line under this once and for all, especially with the show set to start."

This inquest was initiated by the broadcaster following claims that Amanda experienced persistent "nasty" intimidation at the hands of Giovanni throughout last year's series. The dance professional has since refuted these accusations, and the eagerly awaited outcomes of this inquiry are expected to be announced shortly.

In a candid interview, the 50 year old "Sherlock" actress spoke out about her experience: "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 continued, sharing her expectations of a professional environment: "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."

While Giovanni Pernice, 34, has since left the show, he has consistently stated his anticipation of being absolved of alleged misdemeanours. Meanwhile, Graziano Di Prima faced dismissal from the BBC after footage surfaced showing him apparently kicking his 2023 dance partner, Love Island's Zara McDermott.