Jenny Eclair has taken to social media to comment on the recent allegations faced by Strictly Come Dancing.
The BBC show has been forced to make drastic changes to the show following allegations of bullying and mistreatment of the celebrity participants.
While many former contestants have lent their support to the professional dancers who have departed from the show and expressed their shock, one comedian has said she’s ‘not surprised’.
The beloved comedian, 64, best known for her work on comedy panel shows and Grumpy Old Women, revealed that she was ‘upset’ after competing on another BBC show.
Jenny said on X: ‘I’ve always wanted to do Strictly so much even though I know I would be awful as I have zero musicality – I’m shocked by the bullying accusations but not surprised- many years ago I did BBC Fame academy for comic relief and was made to feel like a lazy idiot and I was upset by it.’
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The actress appeared on Fame Academy in 2005 as part of the celebrity lineup for Red Nose Day.
She competed on the show against other celebrities including Reggie Yates, Nick Knowles, and Al Murray.
Other celebrities have spoken about this crisis faced by Strictly. Alison Hammond who appeared on Strictly in 2014, has commented on the new change that will see chaperones placed in dance rehearsals.
The This Morning presenter said: ‘I don’t want a chaperone, because you just want to enjoy yourself.
‘To be fair, there were always people present because there was always a camera.’
She also praised her dance partner Aljaž Škorjanec: ‘I had Alijaz, he made me feel safe and secure, he was a brilliant teacher, I loved working with him, I never had any issues whatsoever.’
Susanna Constantine also commented on Graziano’s post announcing he was leaving. On Instagram Susanna commented: ‘What the hell??? You were always so sweet, kind, funny and thoughtful to me Graziano. Be true to yourself. Cream always rises to the top. Loads of love xxxx.’ She has since deleted this comment.
It was reported that Graziano Di Prima, 30, left the BBC series following claims of ‘physical incidents’, including allegations he ‘kicked and hit’ his 2023 partner, Zara McDermott.
Di Prima is the second dancer to leave Strictly after reports of backstage conduct. Di Prima has said he ‘deeply regrets’ his behaviour.
Giovanni Pernice is under investigation after his most recent partner Amanda Abbington quit Strictly after five weeks in 2023 and claimed to have been left with PTSD. Pernice denies any wrongdoing.
Metro.co.uk has reached out to the BBC for comment.
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