Strictly staff have claimed they suffered abusive behaviour behind the scenes on the show. In the latest blow for the dance contest, its culture has been branded “toxic”. It’s claimed junior staff had to endure “shouting, screaming and being insulted, to an extraordinary level”.
A runner told BBC News they were mistreated by bosses and celebrity contestants during a stint working at the show. He told BBC News: “It was bullying behaviour. I felt sick and couldn’t sleep or eat.
“The whole culture was toxic, particularly for junior staff.” An editor who worked on its spin-off show has claimed many staff on the production team were mistreated. She said: “When you’re in the edit suite, you’re like a therapist.
Crew would come in and tell me about their experiences as we cut their [video tapes].” Fifteen current and former members of the production team spoke to BBC News and some insisted they’d had a positive experience. A spokesperson for BBC Studios said: “The welfare and safety of our crew on each series has always been, and remains, our utmost priority.
” Strictly has been in crisis in recent weeks after celebrities including Amanda Abbington claimed they suffered abuse during training sessions. But shows bosses are determined to air this year’s series as planned. Reality stars Pete Wicks and Tasha Ghouri were the latest celebs to confirm they will be contestants yesterday.
They will join singer Toyah Willcox and JB Gill when the series starts next month..
