Alison Hammond warns ‘that needs to stop’ as she demands Strictly Come Dancing change amid scandal

Alison Hammond has warned a change needs to be made to Strictly Come Dancing, as the beloved BBC One programme continues to be embroiled in scandal.

Months after an investigation was launched, following allegations made by Amanda Abbington against Giovanni Pernice, Graziano Di Prima was dropped from the 2024 line-up.

The 30-year-old Italian dancer later said he ‘deeply regrets’ his actions, while Love Island star Zara McDermott broke her silence on Tuesday, following claims of ‘physical incidents’, including allegations he ‘kicked and hit’ her.

She spoke of her experience training with him, saying: ‘Reports have been made about my treatment on the show and there were witnesses to some events, as well as videos of particular incidents which are incredibly distressing to watch.

‘I have wrestled with the fear of opening up – I was scared about public backlash, I was scared about my future, I was scared of victim shaming. But after a lot of conversations with those I love, I’ve gained the strength to face these fears, and when I was asked to speak to the BBC, I spoke candidly about my time on the show.’

Graziano Di Prima has been dropped from the 2024 Strictly line-up after allegations he ‘kicked and hit’ Zara McDermott (Picture: PA)

An investigation launched after Amanda Abbington made allegations over Giovanni Pernice’s behaviour (Picture: PA)

This Morning star Alison, who appeared on Strictly in 2014, has now spoken out about her time on the show, but urged for a change to be a made regarding another aspect of the competition.

Speaking on Tuesday’s ITV programme, she addressed claims those taking part in Strictly could be accompanied by chaperones, saying she ‘obviously’ wouldn’t have wanted one.

She added to co-host Dermot O’Leary: ‘I don’t want a chaperone, because you just want to enjoy yourself.

‘To be fair, there were always people present because there were always a camera.’

Alison insisted she felt ‘safe and secure’ on Strictly (Picture: BBC/Guy Levy)

The This Morning star appeared on Strictly in 2014 (Picture: David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)

She said that she was only really alone with her dance partner for two days a week, because camera crew were present during training on the other days, and suggested that chaperones could be a good idea for safeguarding.

Alison was partnered with Aljaž Škorjanec – who is returning to the programme for this series, two years after quitting – and became the sixth celebrity eliminated, with Caroline Flack going on to win.

Gushing over her former dance partner, Alison went on to say she ‘absolutely’ felt safe and secure.

She said: ‘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.’

However, Alison urged for more change to be made when it comes to the show’s notorious curse.

Alison gushed over her former dance partner Aljaz Skorjanec (Picture: PA)

Alison has urged for a change on Strictly when it comes to the show’s notorious curse (Picture: BBC/Ray Burmiston)

After numerous couples have found love on Strictly, some of whom were already in relationships, Alison said: ‘We say it all the time about the Strictly curse and it’s kind of laughed upon, but I think there needs to probably be a change with regards to that, and maybe them getting together with certain people who go on Strictly.’

She added: ‘That needs to stop, that whole Strictly curse situation.’

One of the most significant cases of the Strictly curse occurred in 2018 when comedian Seann Walsh was photographed kissing his professional partner Katya Jones, while she was married to fellow dancer Neil Jones and he was in a relationship with actor Rebecca Humphries.

Meanwhile, in 2018, television presenter Stacey Dooley won the sixteenth series of Strictly Come Dancing with her partner, Kevin Clifton, and confirmed they were in a relationship the following year.

Katya Jones and Seann Walsh were embroiled in scandal in 2018 (Picture: PA)

Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton confirmed their relationship a year after winning the BBC One competition (Picture: PA)

Elsewhere, after ending Strictly as runners-up in 2018, Joe Sugg and Dianne Buswell confirmed their relationship after much speculation.

Alison’s comments come after pro dancer Karen Hauer hinted there may be even more victims of the curse.

She teased: ‘I’ve seen things. I’m not gonna talk about them. It exists. It’s there.

‘Whoever wants to go and play, that’s there on them.’

This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1.

Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and iPlayer later this year.

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