Soap star Sarah Manners says BBC 'fully supported her' after her 'rough treatment' from pro Brendan Cole on Strictly in rare positive comment amid show crisis Read the FULL list of Strictly claims here Have YOU got a story? Email tips@dailymail.com By James Fielding For Mail Online Published: 11:33, 24 July 2024 | Updated: 11:38, 24 July 2024 e-mail View comments Strictly star Sarah Manners says the BBC 'fully supported her' after receiving rough treatment from dance partner Brendan Cole during her time on the show. The former Casualty actress's difficulties on the BBC1 dance series have reemerged in light of recent bullying scandals, which has resulted in Italian pro Graziano Di Prima being sacked and compatriot Giovanni Pernice leaving.
Manners partnered New Zealander Cole in the 2004 series and he reduced her to tears by criticising her on live TV, as well as in newspaper interviews where he compared her unfavourably to former partner Natasha Kaplinsky . He likened waltzing with the actress to 'dancing with a brick wall' and claimed she lacked 'respect' because she was a big-name TV star. Addressing her time with Cole on Instagram on Wednesday, Manners, 48, fully backed the BBC 's duty of care process.
Strictly star Sarah Manners says the BBC 'fully supported her' after receiving rough treatment from dance partner Brendan Cole during her time on the show The former Casualty actress's difficulties on the BBC1 dance series have reemerged in light of recent bullying scandals .