It should be a fun and exciting for time Strictly Come Dancing this year as it is set to celebrate its 20th anniversary on air since the rebooted version began in 2004.
But after a plethora of scandals and shake ups, the long-running show has been plunged into chaos over recent months.
Fans were left in shock on Saturday as the dance competition announced that professional Graziano Di Prim was stepping away from the BBC production amid reports of allegations about his conduct with past participants.
Giovanni Pernice also confirmed he also wouldn’t be returning under the glitterball amid an ongoing investigation into his behaviour, despite head judge Shirley Ballas publicly backing him.
As BBC bosses deal with the fall out of the furore ahead of the special series, takes a look back at how the drama has unfolded this year…
Giovanni Pernice and Amanda Abbington
Giovanni Pernice quit Strictly Come Dancing and will not appear in the new series.
The professional dancer, 33, called time on his eight-year stint and despite the BBC ‘backing him all the way’ after reports emerged of clashes with his past female contestants, it became ‘all too much’ for the under-fire star.
Giovanni has faced a wave of scrutiny ever since his dance partner Amanda Abbington, who is was partnered with during the last series, dramatically quit the competition last year due to ‘personal reasons’.
The actress, 52, is said to have demanded footage of their rehearsals after struggling with Giovanni’s ‘militant approach to training’. She was later diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Amanda is then said to have then met with Laura Whitmore, 39, and Ranvir Singh, 46, for an ’emotional summit’, with the trio apparently speaking about their ‘difficult’ experiences with him.
A source told The Sun at the time: ‘Gio feels the scrutiny on him has become too much and now is the time to make a fresh start.
‘He wants to focus on other TV projects, and feels he’s achieved all he can on Strictly, having won the trophy back in 2021 and reaching the final an unprecedented four times.
‘He remains adamant he’s done nothing wrong other than being a hard taskmaster, but knows his style of training isn’t to everyone’s liking – especially in this day and age.’
The insider added Giovanni has lots of ‘exciting projects’ in the pipeline which is now his priority.
Amanda is reportedly considering fresh legal action against Giovanni after the professional dancer reportedly refused to release their rehearsal videos.
While the former Strictly star has denied the claims against him, Amanda’s lawyers believe the tapes will support misconduct accusations against the dancer as the BBC continues to investigate.
The Sun have revealed Strictly insiders wondered ‘what he had to hide’ after he is said to have blocked the release of training footage with Amanda.
A source told the publication: ‘Amanda and her legal team asked to have access to the tapes. The BBC contacted Giovanni and his legal team to get their consent but they refused.
‘Amanda’s legal team are now weighing up an appeal to the Information Commissioner’s Office to get access to the evidence as they think it is vital in helping support her claims.
‘He claims the allegations are false — she insists they will validate every one of her grievances. To be clear, the BBC are reviewing the tapes and taking them very seriously. But there are data implications to them ever being leaked so they are in an unenviable position.’
Shirley Ballas and ‘peeved’ Strictly bosses
Dame Shirley Ballas was reportedly ordered by BBC bosse to ‘rein in’ her public support for Giovanni Pernice amid his misconduct claims.
Shirley, 63, who serves as head judge on the show, has voiced support for the dancer, saying he is a ‘good friend’ to her and she will be ‘by his side’ forever.
However, according to The Mirror, BBC bosses are not happy Shirley has been so vocal in her support for Giovanni because of the nature of the claims against him.
A source told the publication: ‘Shirley has been told she needs to rein it in and not talk about Giovanni in the context of the case.
‘It’s such a complex thing that we can’t have people associated with the show speaking out about it.’
Earlier this month, Shirley and fellow judge Anton Du Beke showed their support for Giovanni by teaching at his Ballando dance workshop.
As Shirley she came onto the stage to teach a Jive, she told the dancers it was an ‘honour and a privilege’ to be at the workshop with Giovanni adding: ‘I’ve known him for 10 years and we’re good friends…’
Offering a ‘huge thank you’ to the Italian professional for having her at his workshop, Shirley continued: ‘I will be one person who will be by his side forever. What you see is what you get with him.’
Graziano Di Prima
The Mail on Sunday revealed that the Italian star was spoken to by bosses of the Saturday night dance show this week and his contract terminated.
A message on Graziano’s Instagram said: ‘My intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime.’
One show source said: ‘Graziano had to go. It has been awful.’
His departure took place at the same time as Strictly announced that their much-loved pro Aljaž Škorjanec had returned to the show two years after he quit.
Graziano joined Strictly in 2018 and was last year partnered with Love Island star Zara but they were eliminated in week six.
A message on Graziano’s Instagram read: ‘I deeply regret the events that led to my departure from Strictly. My intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime.
‘While respecting the BBC HR process, I acknowledge it’s only right for the sake of the show that I step away. I am saddened that I wasn’t allowed to offer a quote to the online news stories, and I take on board the sensitivity of the situation.
‘There’s more to this story that I am unable to discuss at this time, but I am committed to being strong for my family and friends. I wish the Strictly family nothing but success in the future.’
Wider issues for Strictly
Insiders say also that the widened inquiry – which includes the sacking of Graziano Di Prima – will now present Giovanni as possibly being a ‘small fish’ in Strictly’s potential downfall.
In May it was revealed that Amanda had instructed London law firm Carter Ruck to represent her against the BBC.
The BBC previously refused to comment on the matter but it did confirm in a statement that more than one complaint has been made.
It was revealed last week that a plea was made online for anyone involved in the show at any time in the past two decades to come forward and speak to the BBC if they had experienced any bad behaviour.
Writing in The TV Mindset, a social media forum for TV industry workers, an anonymous member insisted: ‘It is important to hear as many accounts as possible from others who were treated inappropriately, had grievances, or potentially identify others that were.
‘This is crucial in supporting Amanda’s case, as well as potentially anyone else’s. It is also ultimately to support all freelancers and the industry as a whole by standing up to such practices.’
The chaos now surrounding the show was said to be typified by the surprise announcement on Monday that former fan favourite the dancer Aljaz Skorjanec would be returning show after a two-year absence.