Claudia Winkleman admits she's 'terrified' as Strictly returns after scandal (original) (raw)

Strictly Come Dancing is ready to grace the small screen once again for the latest series of the hit BBC dance contest, but host Claudia Winkleman has confessed she is nervous

Claudia is ready to host Strictly again

As fans eagerly await the latest series of Strictly Come Dancing, host Claudia Winkleman has admitted she is feeling "terrified".

The long-time presenter of the hit BBC contest is ready to take up her role at the side of the dancefloor alongside Tess Daly once more. However, she has confessed to feeling the nerves ahead of Saturday's opener.

The show is welcoming a fresh batch of famous faces to the line-up, with the likes of former footballer Paul Merson and Love Island star Tasha Ghouri ready to be put through their paces. The show will also welcomes its first ever blind competitor as comedian Chris McCausland gets ready to learn new moves.

Claudia and Tess will once again be hosting the Strictly shows (

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PA)

Strictly won an award at this year's NTAs (

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PA)

Speaking of her feelings when she first hears the iconic theme tune belt out, however, Claudia admitted she too feels the nerves that contestants often refer to. She admitted: "I’m absolutely terrified and I squeeze Tess on the arm and I love her because she lets me."

This year will see celebrities and the professional dancing partners, including Gorka Marquez and Diane Buswell, once again compete in a number of special themed weeks, including movies, halloween and musicals.

The return of the show, however, comes as a dark cloud hovered over the production following a number of bullying complaints by past celebrities. Producers were forced to investigate the claims after both Amanda Abbington and Zoe McDermott lodged complaints over the behaviour of their professional partners.

Opening up about her complaint regarding Giovanni Pernice, Amanda previously said: "I found Giovanni's behaviour unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean. I couldn't sit back and let him do that to other people. I had to think long and hard about making a complaint because I knew the backlash I would get. But I would not have been able to live with myself for future people going on that show."

Giovani has vehemently denied all accusations and, following his exit from the show, has since linked up with an Italian version of the contest.

Graziano Di Prima, however, expressed his regret over his actions towards Zara after footage inappropriate behaviour towards his dance partner. In an Instagram post just moments after the news that he had been dropped from the Strictly line-up was announced in the summer, Graziano addressed his fans: "While respecting the BBC HR process, I acknowledge it's only right for the sake of the show that I step away."

BBC had released a statement saying: "We can confirm that Graziano Di Prima is no longer a part of the line-up of professional dancers for the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing. While we would never comment on individual cases, it is well-known that the BBC has established and robust duty of care procedures, and if issues are raised we will always take them seriously and act swiftly as appropriate."

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