The real curse of Strictly: As women turn their back on the show in its ‘worst lineup ever’, a drugs probe is launched and an ex-star is arrested for rape, how scandals continue to plague the BBC show

For years it’s been viewed as one of the glitziest shows on TV, where celebrities push themselves to the limit learning a string of difficult routines.

But Strictly Come Dancing’s scandal-plagued run has taken a shocking new turn in recent weeks, with claims two of its stars are being investigated for using drugs, while another historic name has been arrested on suspicion of rape.

These are just the tip of the iceberg in what’s been months of turmoil for the series, in the wake of Wynne Evans‘ controversial axe and allegations of abusive behaviour aimed at pros Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima.

In the past, Strictly fans also quipped about show’s famous ‘curse,’ which saw some stars engage in romances with their professional partners during or after the show.

And while it’s a term that bosses would rather forget, it seems that the show could truly be under a dark cloud, as its list of controversies continues to grow. 

The cloud seems to have taken a toll on the new series, with fans berating this year’s lineup, featuring significantly less women than men, as its worst yet.  

And these don’t even touch on past scandals that hit the show, including voting gaffes, ageism rows, and controversial exits.

For BBC bosses it may be full steam ahead for Strictly’s return next month, but for viewers, it will be hard to forget these dramas that have dominated the headlines…

Rape allegations 

Last week it was reported that a male star who previously competed on Strictly was arrested on suspicion of rape. 

The male suspect is reportedly being ‘quizzed by police over allegations involving non-consensual intimate image abuse’.

According to The Mirror, bosses are confident the dance show, including training sessions, can carry on. They also reported that a police investigation is continuing.

The Met Police said the alleged rape victim is being supported by specialist officers.

A Met spokesman told Daily Mail: ‘On Friday, August 22, officers arrested a man on suspicion of rape and non-consensual intimate image abuse.

‘This is a joint investigation with Hertfordshire Constabulary and while the investigation is in its early stages, we urge anyone with any information to come forward to us.

‘The arrest follows a third party allegation of sexual and drug-related offences. Enquiries are ongoing.’

The Met Police also added the alleged rape victim is being supported by specialist officers.

Cocaine use probe 

Lawyers launched an external probe into the family-friendly show earlier this month amid claims two of its stars had used cocaine. 

It was reported by The Sun On Sunday that detectives from the Met Police were allegedly examining other allegations.

Sources said: ‘It’s a significant new development in the BBC’s recent string of crises that they have now got the police involved in investigating allegations surrounding Strictly. This is a very dramatic turn of events.

‘Despite all the show and its team have been through over recent months, it’s hugely controversial that you’ve now got Scotland Yard detectives probing Strictly.

‘This is their biggest prime-time family entertainment show, so it’s not a good look for the BBC.’

One of the stars involved in the drugs probe was also suspected of drinking while working on the show after crew smelt alcohol on their breath.

The Sun alleged that it was widely known that the pair, who have not been named, took the Class A substance, and that one of these Strictly performers was known for being a drinker.

The publication reported that junior members of the team were asked to keep an eye on them during last year’s show and to look for signs that they may have been boozing during work hours.

Last week, a staffer also claimed they were offered cocaine by one of the show’s stars.

He went on to claim that drug use was so common on the show, that when he found a suspicious bag of white powder, an unfazed senior producer told him to ‘leave it on my desk’ as the incident failed to raise even an eyebrow. 

It was also reported that the two stars who took cocaine on the show have been offered professional support.

Lack of interest from women

This year’s Strictly lineup has already earned a mixed reaction from fans, with this year’s cast including several former reality stars such as Love Island winner Dani Dyer, ex-Geordie Shore star Vicky Pattison and Apprentice candidate Tom Skinner.

It also appears that female celebrities are too terrified to sign up, with six women appearing on the cast this year compared to nine males, and bosses have certainly lowered the previously high bar with who they allow to take part. 

Strictly bosses previously banned influencers and reality stars from taking part, with now the likes of former Apprentice contestant Tom, who was fired by Lord Sugar in 2019, deemed famous enough to compete, with one Daily Mail reader saying: ‘More than half are not celebrities.’

The disappointing line-up hasn’t gone unnoticed as thousands of Strictly fans took to platform X to voice their criticisms.

A TV source added: ‘Strictly isn’t the show it used to be. It has been hit by scandal after scandal and now it’s impossible for it to recover.

‘Bosses used to be very particular about the lineup but now celebrities who have previously been on a host of shows, even winning I’m A Celeb in Vicky’s case, have been recruited.

‘The lack of women in the cast this year says it all, females are afraid to take part due to the controversies of recent years while few changes have been made to ensure safety in the training rooms.

‘It’s sad because the show was once so loved by viewers of all ages but there’s an unavoidable darkness now and insiders even believe this could be the last ever series.’

This year’s cast also includes EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal, Game of Thrones star Kristian Nairn, Lioness Karen Carney, Lorraine Showbiz correspondent Ross King and influencer Ellie Goldstein, who made history when she became the first model with Down syndrome to cover British Vogue magazine.  

Rugby player Chris Robshaw, Neighbours actor Stefan Dennis, YouTuber George Clarke, Doctor Who actress Alex Kingston, and sportsman Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink will also be taking to the Strictly ballroom next month.  

Wynne Evans’ axe

Wynne, who used to front the Go Compare ads, appeared on Strictly Come Dancing last year when he was partnered with Katya Jones.

However, his time on the show was mired in controversy. 

Wynne was filmed using the vile term ‘spit roast’ – a three-way sex act – to his co-star Jamie Borthwick in relation to professional dancer Janette Manrara during the launch of the Strictly Live Tour.

An apology was released on the singer’s behalf and he was subsequently suspended from Strictly Come Dancing’s live tour.

Evans has claimed he did not see the statement before it was put out. It read: ‘My language was inappropriate and unacceptable for which I sincerely apologise.’

He explained his initial reaction to finding out he had offended someone was ‘Oh God, I’m so sorry’ but this was taken as a formal apology by the press team. Evans said the apology ‘validated the story’ and ‘made it look worse’.

Evans said he was placed on 24/7 suicide watch by a crisis team after the saga which has completely derailed his career.

Wynne denied it was a sexual jibe about a female presenter and insisted he used the term ‘spit roast’ as a nickname for fellow contestant Jamie Borthwick.

During his time on the main show, Wynne found himself caught up in a ‘wandering hand’ incident with his Strictly professional dance partner, Katya Jones.

Wynne appeared to slide his hand across Katya’s waist, before she pushed him off. Later in the show, he offered his partner a high five, which she ignored before turning back to the camera, stone-faced.

The opera singer confirmed in May the BBC will not be renewing his one-year rolling contract, meaning he wouldn’t be returning to his radio show, following a four-month investigation in the wake of inappropriate comments made during his time on Strictly.

Graziano Di Prima’s sacking

Graziano was fired by BBC bosses in July last year, after it was claimed he’d been ‘physically and verbally abusive’ towards his celebrity dance partner Zara.

Addressing his exit from the show, a ‘devastated’ Graziano wrote on Instagram over the weekend: ‘I deeply regret the events that led to my departure from Strictly. My intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime. 

‘While respecting the BBC HR process, I acknowledge it’s only right for the sake of the show that I step away. I am saddened that I wasn’t allowed to offer a quote to the online news stories, and I take on board the sensitivity of the situation. 

‘There’s more to this story that I am unable to discuss at this time, but I am committed to being strong for my family and friends. I wish the Strictly family nothing but success in the future.’

Daily Mail revealed that Strictly production staff raised concerns about Graziano’s conduct last year, but bosses only went as far as to issue quiet warnings to him.

The group expected him to be sacked instantly. They are said to be furious that their complaints were ignored, meaning the abuse towards Zara was allowed to continue. Graziano was even signed on for Strictly’s 2024 series.

A source from the show said: ‘There were multiple occasions where both physical and verbal attacks were made. It was more physical than verbal, but all of it was dreadful.’

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. 

Previously, his fans and famous friends had rallied behind him, including fellow Strictly stars Katya Jones, Susannah Constantine and Catherine Tyldesley, who liked and commented on his Instagram post announcing his departure.  

However, Catherine – who was partnered with Johannes Radebe in the show in 2019 – has now removed one of her more supportive comments.

Zara broke her silence on Graziano’s sacking in a lengthy statement, writing on Instagram that while much of her time on Strictly ‘was everything I could have dreamt of’ inside the training room with Graziano, there were ‘particular incidents which are incredibly distressing’.

She explained that she didn’t report the incidents at the time as she was ‘scared’ of backlash. 

Instead it was junior production staff who came forward to share what they had witnessed as the investigation into pro dancer Giovanni Pernice was taking place.

Graziano later admitted he ‘crossed the line’, but denied spitting at Zara, and insisted his behaviour was one-off incident.

In response Zara’s spokesperson said: ‘It’s a matter of public record that the BBC deemed the conduct to be so severe that they removed him from the show immediately.

‘Zara has already confirmed in a statement released on her social media earlier this week that the reported conduct was not a singular incident.’

Graziano has continued to insist he would never deliberately hurt anyone. ‘These vile, false allegations ruined my life in a matter of minutes — professionally, financially, psychologically and reputationally,’ he said. 

Following his sacking it was reported that Graziano has now ‘called in top lawyers to sue the BBC ‘ in a bid to clear his name.

Barristers from Whitestone Chambers have ‘already read thousands of text and WhatsApp messages’ and believe the Italian ‘could sue for unfair dismissal’.

A source said: ‘Graziano feels he wasn’t allowed a fair opportunity to give his side of the story so has been heartened to hear the legal team think he has a case for unfair dismissal.’

They added: ‘They’ve also looked at his BBC contract and believe there are grounds to sue. He is weighing up his options but remains hopeful he can clear his name.’ 

Giovanni’s ‘bullying’ row 

In May, it was revealed that longtime Strictly professional Giovanni Pernice had quit the BBC series, after he was accused of ‘bullying’ his celebrity partner Amanda Abbington.

Giovanni faced a wave of scrutiny after his dance partner Amanda, who he was partnered with during the last series, dramatically quit the competition last year due to ‘personal reasons’. 

The actress is said to have demanded footage of their rehearsals after struggling with Giovanni’s ‘militant approach to training’. She was later diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Amanda is then said to have met with Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh for an ’emotional summit’, with the trio apparently speaking about their ‘difficult’ experiences with him.

Giovanni rejected the claims immediately, and a BBC investigation ruled in September that her claims of physical aggression and threatening behaviour were not upheld.

When BBC bosses published their report into Giovanni’s behaviour, it cleared him of the most serious allegations of physical aggression, but upheld verbal bullying and harassment.

Complaints of verbal bullying and harassment meant the BBC issued an apology to Amanda, but Giovanni said he was ‘pleased the report has not found any evidence of threatening or abusive behaviour‘.

The famous Strictly ‘curse’ 

Since its very first series, Strictly Come Dancing has famously been dogged by its ‘romance’ curse, which has spanned 20 scandalous years. 

The curse – which has claimed several marriages – is at odds with the show’s family-friendly image, with bosses attempting to play down its significance, despite leaving viewers gripped thanks to some couples’ sizzling chemistry. 

Strictly hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons during season one, when viewers were transfixed by the apparent close bond between newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky and her hunky partner Brendan Cole.

Although the pair went on to win the show, their success was blighted by affair rumours.

BBC presenter Natasha soon split from long-term partner Mike Barnard while Brendan dumped his fiancée and fellow dancer Camilla Dallerup.

However, Natasha has always denied any wrongdoing, saying: ‘There was chemistry, of course, and I certainly fell in love with dancing, but I did not fall in love with Brendan.’ 

In 2013, professional dancer Kristina Rihanoff was forced to defend her romance with her rugby player partner Ben Cohen, insisting their romance only began after the end of his marriage to wife Abby. 

‘He left his wife a year ago,’ she told the Daily Mirror. ‘Recently we started dating but we’re allowed to see each other as two single people.’

She said: ‘Ben’s said it many times and I’ll say it again – I wasn’t involved in the breaking up of his marriage.’

Meanwhile Abby described the split and resultant divorce as ‘the most traumatic thing to ever happen to me’.

Ben, 37, met Abby in 1995 at the age of 17, and the couple married in 2003 before welcoming their daughters in 2008. 

Ben and Kristina, who share daughter Milena, nine, split in March after 12 years together. 

On the same series, Countdown’s Rachel Riley’s relationship with Pasha Kovalev ended her marriage to husband Jamie Gilbert, to whom she had been married for just one year. 

In 2015, Georgia May Foote announced her split from Coronation Street co-star Sean Ward after she came runner-up in the show, and was later spotted kissing her dance partner Giovanni Pernice. 

And 2018 saw romances emerge between Kevin Clifton and Stacey Dooley, as well as Dianne Buswell and Joe Sugg. 

Four months after the 2018 series concluded, filmmaker and journalist Stacey and her partner Sam Tucknott announced they were separating.

The couple had been together for five years before the split – but the separation was far from a clean break.

In 2019, Sam accused Stacey of having an affair with Kevin Clifton while she was still in a relationship – however they have both denied this.

He told The Sun he discovered Stacey and Kevin’s romance when he was leaving their shared home after the break-up and he saw a message from the professional dancer flash up on her phone, which he claims said: ‘I love you.’

According to Sam’s version of events, they argued before Sam left the flat they shared in Brighton, before Stacey sent him a message later that evening explaining she had fallen for her dance partner.

The newspaper reports she wrote: ‘I didn’t start entertaining and texting him (Kevin) until I split up with you. I was not with you when we started it all. I did fall for him but when we were done. I will tell you anything you want to know.’

One of Strictly’s most controversial ‘curses’ was the end of Seann Walsh’s relationship with Rebecca Humphries after he was snapped kissing his then-dance partner Katya Jones – on Rebecca’s birthday.

At the time, Katya was also married to fellow professional dancer from the series, Neil Jones.

Following the revelation, Rebecca released a scathing statement on her X/Twitter account in which she accused Seann of ‘aggressive’ behaviour, and claimed he called her a ‘psycho’ when she expressed suspicion about cheating.

Former Eternal singer Louise Redknapp, who was married to Jamie Redknapp when she starred in the show in 2016, has revealed she believes the show contributed to the breakdown of her marriage.

Writing in her memoir You’ve Got This, she said: ‘If I’d done the show four years earlier, this wouldn’t have happened. I wouldn’t have walked away from my marriage.’

She said that, previously, she would have been ‘too scared’ to leave her husband, with whom she shares two children, but that taking part in Strictly, which saw her reach the final, set her on a ‘new path’ and proved she could ‘find work again’. 

Ageism row 

Strictly’s found itself embroiled in an ageism row in 2009, when it was revealed that Arlene Phillips, who was 66 at the time, had been dropped from the judging panel in favour of singer Alesha Dixon.

Arlene later said that she only found out she’d been sacked from Strictly Come Dancing when a journalist called her for comment on a radio show. 

The dancer and choreographer was axed from Strictly in 2008 after four years as a judge.

She was the only judge on the panel – which at the time also comprised of Bruno Tonioli, Craig Revel Horwood and Len Goodman – not to have her contract renewed. 

When Phillips was replaced by Alesha Dixon, who was 26 years younger, the show was accused of ageism. 

The axing caused uproar among fans and calls of sexism while Harriet Harman, the minister for women and equality, blamed ageism when the debate reached the House of Commons.

Anton’s ‘racism’ claims 

In 2009 professional dancer – and now judge – Anton Du Buke used a racial slur to describe his partner Laila Rouass, which he said was ‘backstage banter’. 

Former host Sir Bruce Forsyth came to his defence, but this only made the situation worse. 

Sir Bruce said: ‘We used to have a sense of humour about this. You go back 25, 30, 40 years and there has always been a bit of humour about the whole thing.’

But he was later forced to issue a statement saying: ‘To be absolutely clear, the use of racially offensive language is never either funny or acceptable.’ 

At the time, a BBC source described Anton as a ‘dead man dancing’ and calls rose for him to be sacked from the show. 

But Rouass defended him after he apologised and when asked if she wanted him axed from the series, the Footballers Wives star said: ‘Absolutely not. Anton has apologised and I’ve accepted it. 

‘This happened a couple of weeks ago now and we are having a good time.

She added: ‘We just want to move on from it.’

Meanwhile Anton quickly released an apologetic statement, reading: ‘I must say immediately and categorically that I am not a racist and that I do not use racist language.

‘There was no racist intent whatsoever but I accept that it is a term which causes offence and I regret my use of it, which was done without thought or consideration of how others would react.’

Strictly veteran Anton since recovered from the incident and in 2021 even joined the judging panel. 

John Sergeant’s controversial exit 

In 2008, former political journalist John Sergeant won over millions of viewers when he competed on Strictly with Kristina Rihanoff.

He delivered a now-iconic Paso Doble which saw him drag dance partner Kristina across the floor, and judge Arlene Phillips quipped that he would ‘sit and read The Guardian’ instead of rehearsing.

Despite clearly struggling with the steps, and receiving a low score from the judges week after week, viewers voted to keep him in the competition, sparking fears that he could go all the way and be crowned series champion.

Fans were stunned when John publicly announced that he would quitting the competition in week 10, meaning the BBC had to offer refunds to viewers who voted for him.

He said at the time: ‘The trouble is that there is now a real danger that I might win the competition. Even for me that would be a joke too far.’

James Jordan’s ‘sacking’ 

Outspoken dance pro James Jordan was sacked from the main line-up of the show in 2014, despite offering to continue on the show as a backing dancer, while his wife Ola Jordan remained a part of the main lineup.

James later appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, where he accused the rest of the professionals of being ‘beige’ and ‘not massive characters’. 

At the time, a Strictly spokesperson said: ‘James Jordan was offered a role still on [Strictly Come Dancing].

‘It wasn’t to be partnered with a celebrity, but it was to be involved in specials such as Children in Need, that sort of thing.

‘But he declined that. He was offered a reduced role on the show.’

James responded on Twitter: ‘Yes, it’s true I WILL NOT be retuning to ‘BURN THE FLOOR’…. Sorry, I mean ‘Strictly Come Dancing’. 

He added: ‘….do not believe everything the BBC have written in their statement.’

Seann and Katya’s drunken kiss 

In 2018, comedian Seann Walsh and his dance partner Katya Jones sparked a social media firestorm, when they were pictured sharing a steamy kiss on a night out.

It occurred just three weeks into the series, and proved to be the most seismic hit of the famous ‘curse’ yet. 

At the time, Katya was also married to fellow professional dancer from the series, Neil Jones.

Following the revelation, Rebecca released a scathing statement on her X/Twitter account in which she accused Seann of ‘aggressive’ behaviour, and claimed he called her a ‘psycho’ when she expressed suspicion about cheating.

She said: ‘It’s more than lying, it’s controlling.’

At the end of her statement, she revealed she had taken their cat in the split.

Following the scandal, Seann appeared on The Jonathan Ross Show where he cut a sombre figure and admitted: ‘I think everything she said in that statement is right.’ 

He continued: ‘And I think if you lie and cheat on the person that you’re meant to care for and be in a relationship with, then that is a form of abuse, of course it is. All I can be is as sorry as I am. I hope one day that she’ll forgive me.’ 

Seann went onto reveal he felt traumatised even when he sees a ‘Strictly no parking sign’ and that he’ll never dance again due to the intense fallout from the kiss.

Voting gaffes 

Typically Strictly Come Dancing’s voting system is a well-run machine, allowing viewers to call in and back their favourite couples, or vote for free online.

However, in 2008 the system was hit by a huge gaffe in the semi-finals, as viewers noted that it would be literally impossible to save Holby City star Tom Chambers from the dance-off.

Rachel Stevens and Lisa Snowdon had received exactly the same score from the judging panel – and both scores were so high that Tom would be in the dance-off even if every single viewer watching voted for him.

Hours after the issue emerged, the BBC announced that all three contestants would be going through to the final, with all the votes carried over into the following week. 

The drama sparked nearly 300 complaints to media watchdog, however they opted against sanctioning the BBC, as it had ‘resulted from an oversight’. 

Craig’s awkward apology 

Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton now share daughter Minnie together, but they first came together after winning the 2018 series of Strictly Come Dancing. 

Ahead of the following series in 2019, Craig – who has often been known as the ‘nasty’ judge over the series – joked to host Tess Daly while giving advice to the new contestants: ‘Of course, if you sleep with your dance partner that helps.’

While the comment wasn’t broadcast during the launch show, with bosses demanding Craig re-film the moment, the judge was slammed over the comments and he was forced to issue an apology.  

‘I’m deeply sorry for the offence caused to Kevin and Stacey and everyone who works on the show,’ he said.

‘I recognise that what I said was hurtful, cruel and incredibly disrespectful. It was a huge error of judgment that I very much regret.’

Shirley’s ‘sexism’ row 

Head judge Shirley Ballas found herself at the centre of a sexism row after she was accused of favouring the male contestants over the females during the 2022 series. 

The series judge was also been accused of having ‘favourites whether they have ability or not’, with some viewers calling for her to be sacked on Twitter as they claimed she has ‘no credibility as a judge’.

It came after the twinkle-toed star called for the television audience at home to have ‘respect’ after she received a flurry of ‘hurtful messages’ on social media.

In August 2022, Shirley revealed how she was forced to seek counselling after receiving a torrent of vile abuse during the last series of Strictly Come Dancing.

Though Shirley eventually returned to the 2023 series, she previously told how she even toyed with the idea of not coming back.