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Strictly Come Dancing is embroiled in further scandal after a video of a married contestant passionately kissing a female show professional has reportedly surfaced.
The dance series has been plagued by issues in recent months, including a poor calibre of stars, sex scandals, an internal drugs investigation and accusations by contestants of abuse and bullying by dancers.
TV insiders claim the 12-second clip, filmed at Elstree Studios, could ‘rock the very foundations’ of the hit BBC show, which is notorious for the Strictly curse.
The dressing room video, allededly taken by a member of production, is said to show the family man from a past series leaning in for a kiss with the professional dancer, who is sitting on his knee.
Sources say the video is being shared on WhatsApp and if it were to emerge online, it could ‘destroy the long-standing marriage to his “adorable and kind wife” as well as their family-friendly brand’.
‘This incident has been the talk of Strictly for the past couple of years. The kiss only lasts a few seconds but it would more than likely end his marriage and destroy his carefully cultivated family man image,’ a TV insider told The Sun.
‘It has been shared around on WhatsApp though as everyone is slightly sickened by this pair’s duplicitousness, especially as they always knocked down scurrilous romance rumours.
‘If this video comes out it would be an absolute PR crisis for both the BBC and the two stars involved. It will rock the very foundations of Strictly.’
Strictly Come Dancing representatives declined to comment when contacted by the Daily Mail.
BBC bosses have been in a desperate bid to keep the show drama-free after it has been plagued by a string of scandals.
The show has found itself marred by controversy over how some of the professional dancers teach the celebrities, with multiple accusations emerging of bullying and abusive behaviour.
Actress Amanda Abbington unexpectedly quit the show in October 2023 before claiming her partner Giovanni Pernice had been abusive towards her.
A subsequent BBC investigation saw the former Strictly professional, 35, cleared of the majority of allegations made against him by the star, while six were upheld.
The competition was then hit by a fresh wave of scandal when Graziano Di Prima was sacked for ‘kicking’ his partner, Love Island star Zara McDermott.
The BBC introduced new anti-bullying measures for the stars, including a dedicated helpline and chaperones at rehearsals.
Then in August, it was reported the BBC launched an investigation into cocaine use by two stars of the show.
According to The Sun, the broadcaster hired a law firm to probe allegations of drug taking by two individuals, whose drug use is said to be ‘well-known’ on the show.
The claims were reportedly made in a legal submission to the BBC by law firm Russells back in March, on behalf of former contestant Wynne Evans.
The publication also understands other people have also reported the allegations of drug taking on the dance show to the BBC.
The Daily Mail contacted BBC representatives for comment at the time, with a spokesperson stating: ‘We have clear protocols and policies in place for dealing with any serious complaint raised with us.
‘We would always encourage people to speak to us if they have concerns. It would not be appropriate for us to comment further.’
Also that month a Strictly star was arrested on suspicion of rape.
The male suspect was reportedly ‘quizzed by police over allegations involving non-consensual intimate image abuse’.
A Met spokesman told the Daily Mail: ‘On Friday, August 22, officers arrested a man on suspicion of rape and non-consensual intimate image abuse.
‘This is a joint investigation with Hertfordshire Constabulary and while the investigation is in its early stages, we urge anyone with any information to come forward to us.
‘The arrest follows a third party allegation of sexual and drug-related offences. Enquiries are ongoing.’
The Met Police also added the alleged rape victim is being supported by specialist officers.
The latest drama comes as Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced they are stepping down as hosts of Strictly.
Their last appearance together will be on the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special, which airs on December 25.
The joint announcement on Instagram shocked fans and left experts pondering if Claudia and Tess are fleeing a ‘sinking ship’ at the end of series 23, which has already had a very bumpy start.
One source told the Daily Mail that BBC bosses are planning many more ‘big changes’ next year to try to win back those who have deserted the Saturday night programme, which began in its current format in 2004.
This year around 5.6 million viewers watched the launch show – down from over 8 million just five years ago.
Another insider said today’s announcement also raises questions about the futures of judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke.
PR guru Mark Borkowski has said that with Tess and Claudia going in a matter of months, Britain is now watching the ‘slow death’ of Strictly and the presenters are fleeing a ‘dying format’ to protect their own careers.
‘This is the slow death of Strictly’, he said.
‘ITV can hear the death rattle. Stars are wary after all the recent headlines. People have seen the writing on the wall, who wants to be the last act in a long-running variety show, thanking a studio audience that’s already halfway to bed?
‘The exit of Claudia and Tess is brand preservation. Timing is everything and nothing kills a career faster than loyalty to a dying format’.
He added: ‘When you’ve fronted a juggernaut that’s starting to creak under its own sequins, the smartest move is to waltz off while the music still sounds half-decent’.
