Strictly silenced! Dance show returns to the BBC with NO mention of Amanda Abbington's bullying claims or Graziano Di Prima's sacking as Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman 'act like nothing had happened'

The months since the last series of Strictly ended have been somewhat tumultuous. First there were Amanda Abbington's claims that Giovanni Pernice bullied her during training, then BBC bosses sacked Graziano Di Prima for kicking his partner Zara McDermott as she lay on the floor. The show's millions of fans were anticipating hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman to address the issues but instead they introduced the new series - Strictly's 20th anniversary - without mentioning any of the fall out. From left to right: Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke Hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly did not address the Strictly scandals in the first episode of the show, an audience member told the Mail On Sunday Neither was there any sign of the report of the investigation into Ms Abbington's accusations that Mr Pernice was 'abusive, cruel and mean' - which he profusely denies. Actress Amanda Abbington accused Giovanni Pernice of being 'abusive, cruel and mean' - which he profusely denies It was recently revealed that the Italian dancer had signed up to Ballando con le Stelle after leaving the UK show amid bullying claims made by former dance partner Amanda Abbington Giovanni Pernice was all smiles on Saturday as he posed for playful snaps with his dance partner Bianca Guaccero after beginning rehearsals for the Italian version of Strictly Come Dancing Graziano Di Prima was also sacked from the BBC show for kicking his partner Zara McDermott as she lay on the floor It was not until staff got hold of a video allegedly showing Graziano repeatedly hitting Zara– nine months after their initial complaint – that he was fired Graziano has continued to insist he would never deliberately hurt anyone Friends say that he is 'hopeful' of winning the Italian glitterball in what would be revenge for the BBC and Ms Abbington.