BBC bosses have slashed Strictly Come Dancing's budget to cover new welfare checks after the show was rocked by scandal. The casting budget has also been cut to free up cash in case former stars demand payouts. Chaperones and welfare producers have been added to the show after allegations of abuse were made by contestants including Amanda Abbington and Zara McDermott .
A source told MailOnline : "Money had to be found to pay for chaperones and welfare producers, and we still don’t know how much all these allegations are going to cost the show. "It is not going to be cheap. A decision was made to make cuts to the cast.
" The new lineup was revealed and some viewers claimed they didn't know who half of the 2024 contestants were. read more on strictly Some struggled to recognise TV doctor Punam Krishnan and former Love Island star Tasha Ghouri. Insiders told the publication that Nick Knowles and Paul Merson were the only celebrities on big money.
"The line-up is one of our cheapest ever. We know audiences are disappointed, especially given the quality of our celebrities in the last five years," added the source. Giovanni Pernice was accused of bullying Amanda during rehearsals and the investigation is still ongoing.
Most read in TV The Sherlock star claims that she developed PTSD as a result, while Giovanni has strongly denied any wrongdoing. The Mail on Sunday claimed Gio was to be exonerated after BBC insiders told the publication that there was no evidence that he bullied he.