Sophie Ellis-Bextor called Strictly a ‘cult’ with ‘no help’ years before investigation claims

Former contestant Sophie Ellis-Bextor called Strictly Come Dancing a “cult” with “no emotional care” three years before the investigation recently, which has uncovered footage of Zara McDermott and her partner, Graziano Di Prima.

Right now, the BBC and lawyers are investigating the show, following claims of bullying made against pro dancer, Giovanni Pernice. He has always denied claims made against him, but whilst trawling through footage of pros and their celeb partners, bosses found “distressing” clips of Graziano and Zara in rehearsals.

Graziano has since been fired from the show for gross misconduct, and has been accused of kicking, hitting and spitting at Zara during their training sessions. A third Strictly pro has also been named “a person of interest” as the investigation continues.

But now, it’s come to light that Sophie Ellis-Bextor made her feelings about the show clear years ago, and said there are a number of things wrong with it behind the scenes. She competed on the show in 2013, and was partnered with Brendan Cole.

via BBC

On her podcast, Spinning Plates, Sophie opened up about how she felt competing on Strictly really was for her, given it is billed to celebs as a glitzy experience, that they will remember for life.

She said: “We were asked questions such as: ‘Is this the best thing you’ve ever done?’ ‘How incredible has your dance partner been?’ ‘What will you do to fill the hole after Strictly?’ And I had the epiphany that, oh my God – it’s like a cult! Trigger words and the constant repetition of how much it must mean to you.”

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She also spoke about the lack of care offered to people who take part. “At Strictly Towers there was no one to help. There’s no emotional care at all – aside from the wisdom and make-up-chair counsel of the folk working backstage,” she claimed.

“For the dancers, too, they have to be choreographer, dancer and occasional psychiatrists. It starts off with you just being keen to show you can do the right heel or toe footwork for the chief judge, then your confidence in your ability to act or be sexy gets tested, and that is more emotionally challenging. I do think they should have a counsellor, just to check in with the contestants.”

Sophie’s words resonate with those of Zara McDermott, who in a statement after Graziano’s firing said her “experience inside the training room was very different” to the glitz and glamour the show looks like.

via BBC

Zara said: “I felt it was right that I post something regarding the recent media reports. Strictly is one of the most magical shows on TV and one that I dreamt of being on since I was a little girl.

“When I was invited to be a contestant on the show it really was a childhood dream come true. I fully understood the level of commitment and hard work that Strictly was going to be and I dedicated everything to it. I am a resilient person and I was fully prepared to put in whatever it took.

“And so much of my Strictly experience was everything I could have dreamt of. The entire production team and everyone behind the scenes as well as my fellow contestants were so amazing to work with. However, my experience inside the training room was very different. 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.”

The BBC has insisted it has robust duty of care procedures, and since the recent investigation has added new measures, including giving celebs chaperones in rehearsals.

Related stories recommended by this writer:

• A third Strictly professional named ‘person of interest’ in investigation into the show

• Zara spoke of gruelling Strictly days with Graziano that ‘put her through pain again and again’

• Graziano to ‘sue the BBC’ as he ‘flees the UK’ amid Zara McDermott and Strictly claims