Alert – Former Strictly star Fern Britton reveals she was ‘kicked and shoved’ by pro partner Artem Chigvintsev in resurfaced interview as crisis on the show deepens

Fern Britton revealed she was ‘kicked and shoved’ during her time on Strictly Come Dancing as the BBC crisis continues to deepen.

In a resurfaced interview from 2015, the presenter, 67, made these claims about her pro dance partner Artem Chigvintsev.

It comes as the BBC has been at the centre of a bullying row surrounding ex pros Giovanni Pernice, Graziano Di Prima and James Jordan’s behaviour towards their previous dance partners during rehearsals.

Speaking at an event hosted by The Times newspaper, Fern, who was the fifth contestant to be eliminated from the BBC show’s 2012 season, said: ‘He [Artem] would look at my feet and just kick me or shove me’. 

She recalled him allegedly saying: ‘You just stand there and don’t move; I dance round you.’

Fern Britton revealed she was ‘kicked and shoved’ during her time on Strictly Come Dancing as the BBC crisis continues to deepen

In a resurfaced interview from 2015, the presenter, 67, made these claims about her pro dance partner Artem Chigvintsev

Fern added: ‘He was like “Shut your face. Go home before I kill you”.

‘I would say, “Oh please just kill me, it would be easier”. Or what was his other one? “If you go for a cup of tea now, I will blow off like an atomic bomb.” I thought, well I won’t correct him on that one.’

Fern continued to say that while they ‘did love each other for a moment or two’, her partner ‘wasn’t charm personified’.

She said: ‘I did kind of enjoy it, but it was grim at the same time.’

Artem hit back at Fern’s claims, telling the Daily Express: ‘I believe I treated Fern with respect and genuine care and these claims about me are the opposite of everything I believe in and the person I am. 

‘I cannot imagine what has prompted such statements which come as a shock to me.’

In 2014 Artem then left Strictly to work on Dancing with the Stars in the United States, on which he still appears as one of the professional dancers.

Fern and Artem’s representatives have been contacted for comment.    

On Tuesday night it was revealed that a third professional dancer on the show has been named as a ‘person of interest’ in the wake of the abuse and bullying allegations.

Graziano Di Prima, 30, was axed from the show last week over reports he verbally and physically abused his celebrity partner Zara McDermott , 27, during last year’s series.

It came just weeks after Giovanni Pernice , 33, was suspended while a BBC probe is conducted over claims of off-camera misconduct made by Amanda Abbington, 50, and two other former celeb partners.

Speaking at an event, Fern, who was the fifth contestant to be eliminated from the BBC show’s 2012 season, said: ‘He [Artem] would look at my feet and just kick me or shove me’

BBC executives sacked Graziano after members of production presented bosses with video of the pro dancer ‘hitting and kicking’ Love Island star Zara during training last Autumn.

But there have been accusations of a massive cover-up by the BBC over claims crew members complained about Graziano’s behaviour during the series but no action was taken.

When a group of Strictly production staff witnessed the way Graziano treated Zara in last year’s series, they reported their concerns to their superiors. But, instead of sacking him, senior execs ignored their worries and have Graziano ‘quiet warnings’.

It was only when staff backed up their allegations with video evidence last week – including a clip of Graziano hitting Zara – that bosses were galvanised into action and sacked him . But this was nine months after they had first raised the alarm.

One BBC insider told the Mail’s Katie Hind: ‘There is absolutely no doubt that those very high up on Strictly, and wider at the BBC, knew about Graziano’s behaviour – but they allowed him still to appear on screen.’

The BBC’s official response was: ‘While we would never comment on individual cases, it is well known that the BBC has established robust duty of care procedures and if issues are raised we will always take them seriously and act swiftly as appropriate.’

But Strictly sources told the Mail they believe there was a ‘cover-up’ of Graziano’s behaviour, which ‘bosses hoped would save fan-favourite Di Prima from being ousted’.

Zara herself admitted in her statement shared on Tuesday that she was too worried about coming forward to complain about Graziano’s behaviour, in a sign that she too didn’t want to tarnish the show’s wholesome reputation as well as her own career prospects.

 Graziano Di Prima , 30, was axed from the show last week over reports he verbally and physically abused his celebrity partner Zara McDermott , 27, during last year’s series

It came just weeks after Giovanni Pernice , 33, was suspended while a BBC probe is conducted over claims of off-camera misconduct made by Amanda Abbington, 50 

‘I have wrested with the fear of opening up – I was scared about public backlash, I was scared about my future, I was scared of victim shaming,’ Zara wrote on Instagram.

With news this week that a third professional dancer – who is no longer on the show – is also part of the probe into the BBC series, insiders have told The Sun that it is ‘becoming clear is that there appears to be a more widespread issue over the conduct of some of the professionals in training.’

‘The more people who come forward, the clearer the picture is becoming.’

And all this is threatening the show’s major 20th anniversary series.

By now Stefania Aleksander, the show’s long-serving booker, has usually signed up at least six celebrities, whose names inevitably find their way into the public domain.

This time last year – Zara, Angela Rippon and Angela Scanlon had already signed up for the show. Finalist Layton Williams had also agreed to appear and Les Dennis was on the verge of doing so, with all of those names leaked to the public.

This time round though there has been no leaks suggesting a crisis at the earliest stage of the series.

Insiders at the Corporation say they are having problems recruiting female celebs in particular, especially high-profile ones.

There have been accusations of a massive cover-up by the BBC over claims crew members complained about Graziano’s behaviour during the series

Executives at the BBC are said to be ‘deeply worried’ that the fans will stop watching as scandal continues to surround their their flagship show

‘Usually it is the women who are more keen,’ says a television executive connected to the series. ‘Not only is it an opportunity to get dressed up but appearing on Strictly is also much more fortuitous for females’ careers than men’s.

‘But word has got around that it isn’t exactly a walk in the park, so getting them has a been a lot more challenging.’ 

The show, according to inside sources, is in ‘meltdown’ and the upper echelons of both Strictly and the wider BBC have been locked in meetings over the weekend as they attempt to work out how they can survive the scandal.

One said: ‘There have been many conversations about how this is dealt with but the immediate problem is this year’s cast… There has been lots of swearing and frustration.’

Executives at the BBC are said to be ‘deeply worried’ that the fans will stop watching  as scandal continues to surround their their flagship show.

‘The last nine months have been a disaster,’ says a well-informed source. ‘With no idea where it is going to end, the anxiety amongst the upper echelons of the BBC is through the roof.’