Strictly's Greg Rutherford makes worrying claim about rehearsal room conduct (original) (raw)

Strictly Come Dancing star, Greg Rutherford, has spoken out about his appearance on the show in 2016 with professional partner, Natalie Lowe, ahead of the new series' launch

Greg Rutherford has urged Strictly Come Dancing contestants not to believe what they're told about the show's rehearsals

Greg Rutherford has urged Strictly Come Dancing contestants not to believe what they're told about the show's rehearsals.

The Olympian, 37, who appeared on the show in 2016 with professional partner, Natalie Lowe, has spoken out about his experience on the BBC series after it was revealed chaperones would be in all training sessions.

Following allegations of 'abuse' made by Amanda Abbington against dancer, Giovanni Pernice, which the Italain denies, the broadcaster has brought in the rule for the safety of 'everyone on the show'.

However, Greg reckons the show's contestants need to know the truth about what happens in the rehearsal rooms. Speaking in a new interview, the athlete alluded to the brutal training hours, which were "both mentally and physically tough" as he shared his advice for contestants.

Strictly Come Dancing star, Greg Rutherford, has spoken out about his appearance on the show in 2016 with professional partner, Natalie Lowe (

Image:

PA)

He told MailOnline: "I'll tell you what surprised me. What they love to do on that show is tell you, 'you're only needed for a few hours a day and then you're free'. It was way more!" The Olympian continued: "I was in that training room for 10 to 12 hours a day. If you asked me for my advice I would say: 'Don't listen to what they say about timings.'"

Praising his dance partner, Natalie, whose series in 2016 was her last, Greg said: "I was fortunate that I had a very experienced dancer in Natalie. We just tried to have as much fun as we could because it was her last season."

Reflecting on the recent furore surrounding the professional dancers, which has marred the star-studded series, he concluded: "It works both ways. It's a very intense show and you have dancers that have a very different view of the world to others."

The BBC is reported to be in "panic" mode ahead of the release of a report examining bullying allegations on its primetime hit show, with bosses at the corporation worried about potential costly legal action when its findings are published.

Strictly's longest-serving professional dancer Giovanni has found himself at the centre of bullying allegations, after his celebrity dance partner Amanda came forward with testimony earlier this year. The Sicilian vehemently denies the allegations made by his former partner. He has since left the show and joined the Italian version of Strictly, Ballando con le stelle.

Bosses at the BBC are said to be weighing their options ahead of the report's publication, with the possibility of either Giovanni or Amanda taking them to court if they are disappointed with its findings. With excitement building for the start of the new series of Strictly on Saturday, the corporation will also want to avoid tarnishing its star-studded start.

The BBC declined to comment on this story when contacted by the Mirror.

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