BREAKING NEWS Tim Davie apologises over 'mistreatment' of contestants on Strictly Come Dancing: Director general says he is 'very sorry' and 'it is something we do reflect on' - as 'victims' form secret support group By Martin Robinson and Rory Tingle Published: 07:04 EDT, 23 July 2024 | Updated: 07:06 EDT, 23 July 2024 e-mail View comments BBC director general Tim Davie has apologised over alleged mistreatment of contestants on Strictly Come Dancing, saying: 'I'm very sorry that anyone has had a experience on Strictly that hasn't been wholly positive, I think that is something we do reflect on, and I'm sorry about that.' BBC bosses are said to be desperate to draw 'an immediate line' under the scandal when it begins in September. And Tess and Claudia may be asked to address it at the start of the first show and could even say sorry after complaints from Amanda Abbington, Zara McDermott and Steve Backshall.
'This year's Strictly is the 20th anniversary and it will be a celebration of the show and its history', an insider told MailOnline. 'The BBC will want to draw an immediate line under what has happened. The show can't start soon enough'.
It came as Strictly's 2024 cohort of professionals were all smiles as they arrived for rehearsals in north London today and yesterday as preparations for the new series ramp up this summer. Insiders have said that privately some 'fear for their jobs'. There are claims a host of Strictly celeb contestants have set up a 'secret support group.