Strictly pro dancer Nadiya Bychkova has reportedly issued a complaint (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock)
The Strictly Come Dancing crisis is said to be ‘worsening by the day’ as a professional dancer has reportedly now issued a complaint.
The BBC programme has been thrown into turmoil, following an investigation after allegations made by Amanda Abbington against Giovanni Pernice – which he has denied.
Months later, despite being a part of the 2024 pro line-up, Graziano Di Prima was dropped from Strictly, and later released a statement saying he ‘deeply regrets’ his actions after allegations he ‘kicked and hit’ his partner Zara McDermott.
It was confirmed yesterday by a spokesperson that he did kick his former dance partner, while reports have emerged that a third pro dancer who used to be on the show has been named as a ‘person of interest’.
It’s now been claimed that one of the show’s most loved female dancers, Nadiya Bychkova, met BBC bosses to complain about the show.
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She is said to be ‘upset’ about certain matters relating to the programme, which she has been a part of since 2017.
Show sources are now saying the crisis is ‘worsening by the day’, with one insider adding: ‘Nadiya got in touch out of the blue and wanted to talk to the bosses.
Giovanni Pernice has denied the allegations, after accusations made by Amanda Abbington (Picture: PA)
It’s been confirmed that Graziano Di Prima kicked his former dance partner Zara McDermott (Picture: BBC/Guy Levy)
‘They are taking every single murmur of a complaint seriously now so she was immediately asked in.
‘She has been on the show for some years so will have seen and lot and possibly also experienced unpleasant behaviour, she will have worked with many people.
‘Things really are getting serious now, it is a mess and it is getting worse by the day.’
The source added to Mail Online: ‘This is now the third complaint about some kind of issue on the programme.
‘It came as a surprise but now the inquiry into Giovanni Pernice is ongoing it has opened the opportunity for others to complain when perhaps they wouldn’t have done before.
Nadiya reportedly wanted to speak to BBC bosses (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
‘There appears to be some very unhappy people on Strictly. Now there are fears about where this will end, literally nobody knows.’
This comes hours after unconnected reports emerged that Nadiya had split from fellow pro dancer Kai Widdrington, after two years of dating.
The former couple were on tour together last month, but it appears ‘pressures’ have forced them apart, with a source claiming they were ‘blissfully in love’ until the ‘stress’ of performing the show reportedly got to them.
No third party was said to be involved, as a source told The Sun: ‘It’s heartbreaking’.
They continued: ‘Kai and Nadiya seemed like the most perfect couple and have been so, so blissfully in love.
This comes after reports Nadiya and fellow pro dancer Kai Widdrington have split after two years of dating (Picture: Shutterstock)
‘But the pressures of touring – being in each other’s space 24/7, and the stress of performing a sell-out show eventually took its toll.
‘After a tough few weeks, they sat down together and decided to call it quits. They remain incredibly close and are determined their split will not have any impact on the next series of Strictly – they remain consummate professionals, and nothing will change that.’
Kai, 28, and Nadiya, 34, met on the dancing show and confirmed their relationship in 2022.
They also previously opened up on how it was ‘magic’ when they met, with Nadiya explaining: ‘We met, obviously, as Kai joined Strictly. We became friends, and then magic happened! Can’t help it.’
Kai, who was partnered with Angela Rippon on last year’s series, and Nadiya who has previously been partnered with Lee Ryan and Dan Walker, are both a part of the pro line-up this year, which also sees Amy Dowden return.
Metro.co.uk has approached the BBC and Nadiya’s reps for comment.
Strictly Come Dancing returns to the BBC and iPlayer later this year.
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