‘Frustrating’ and ‘pressurised’

Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Kristina Rihanoff has welcomed the BBC’s decision to give stars chaperones during rehearsals, after complaints about two fellow dancers on the show.

Speaking to BBC News, she said she thought celebrities would now “be feeling a little bit more comfortable” to sign up to the show.

Rehearsals were often “frustrating” and “pressurised,” she said, adding that celebrities would feel “at ease that there will be somebody watching and observing the situations”.

Strictly has been hit by a string of damaging allegations concerning former dancers Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima.

Pernice has denied “any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour”. On Thursday, Di Prima’s spokesman admitted he made a “mistake” by kicking celebrity partner Zara McDermott once during rehearsals.

Earlier this week, as more revelations came to light, the BBC announced it would put a member of the Strictly production staff in all future rehearsals, and that there would also be two new dedicated welfare producers.

It insisted it would always take any issues seriously and act when made aware of inappropriate behaviour.