Ex-BBC commissioner makes Strictly prediction after ‘unacceptable’ scandal

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Reflecting on the controversy on BBC Radio 4, Heggessey described the alleged behind-the-scenes abuse as “sad” and “unacceptable” – but predicted: “I think Strictly can get over this.” “I think it’s very sad that these things have happened and clearly a line has been crossed by some of the professional dancers, but I think that what’s important is the BBC is dealing with it swiftly and putting in place measures to make sure these things don’t happen again,” Heggessey said on Wednesday. open image in gallery Graziano Di Prima has left ‘Strictly’ after alleged mistreatment of Zara McDermott Heggessey, who was BBC One’s controller for the first five series, added: “Everybody has always thrown themselves into the training from the very first series – all the contestants take it incredibly seriously and realise they have to work incredibly hard to be able to perform on the show, and certainly bruises on their feet and that kind of thing were not unusual just from the rigours of training. “But any abuse in the training room is not acceptable.” Heggessey defended the BBC from claims it should have been aware of what was happening, asking: “If it’s happening behind closed doors, how are you supposed to know about it if nobody raises it with you?” Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free She continued: “I‘m sure the production team really cared about the welfare of all the contestants and I guess – I don’t know, I’m not close to the show now – but it seems that once it’s come to their attention, they’re doing something about it.” open image in gallery ‘Strictly’ stars Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice Heggessey said “the important thing now is to move on and make sure it never happens again” and believes “having somebody in the training room at all times will be to the benefit for everybody”.