Kate Garraway has weighed in on the ongoing Strictly Come Dancing controversy, describing the alleged treatment of the show's stars as "quite abusive."
The Good Morning Britain presenter, 57, who competed on the BBC dance show in 2007, shared her thoughts on Tuesday's broadcast, questioning whether "it's time the series called it quits."
This follows the recent dismissal of professional dancer Graziano Di Prima, 30, from the show amid allegations that he verbally and physically abused his celebrity partner, Zara McDermott, 27, during last year's series.
During Tuesday’s GMB, Garraway and her co-host Richard Madeley, 68, heard opinions from ITV viewers, before weighing in with some of their own comments.
The broadcaster first asked: “Generally with all these allegations going on and the departure of several dancers, has Strictly had its last dance? Is it a show in trouble?”
Madeley then read out a viewer’s comment, which suggested the celebrities need to understand that the show involves intense training: “Look, professional dancers are used from childhood to this kind of hard, hard training. Do not enter something called Strictly if you can't take it.”
To which Garraway responded: “The difference is, with these allegations, it's quite abusive it's not just working physically hard.
“We don't know and some of the people accused have absolutely denied it. Maybe there's a line or maybe there isn't, depends on what you think, let us know!”
The ITV star’s remarks comes after McDermott broke her silence following reports that Di Prima verbally and physically abused her.
The former Love Island star said she “wrestled with the fear of opening up” about her time on Strictly because she feared “public backlash” and “victim shaming”, following her former professional partner’s exit from the show.
It was confirmed at the weekend that the Italian dancer is no longer part of the 2024 professional line-up and Di Prima has said his “intense passion and determination to win might have affected” his training regime.
The documentary maker, who was paired with Di Prima in the most recent series, said in a statement she feared the public’s response when talking about her time on the show amid allegations of verbal and physical abuse towards her.
Di Prima announced his departure from the programme on Saturday, initially without providing a reason for his exit before the next series.
Then on Sunday, Di Prima, 30, issued a statement addressing the allegations: "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."
“Respecting the BBC HR process, I understand it's best for the show that I step away. While there are aspects of this story involving external influences that I can't discuss at this time, I remain committed to being strong for my family and friends.
“I wish the Strictly family and the BBC nothing but success in the future. I also want to thank everyone who has supported my career, both professionally and personally. When the time is right, I will share my story.”
Made in Chelsea star McDermott was eliminated alongside Di Prima in the fifth week of the show last year.
He joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2018 and has also been partnered with radio DJ Vick Hope, Loose Women panellist Judi Love and TV presenter Kym Marsh.
The broadcaster is said to have cast Di Prima in this year’s series but has now taken steps to line up a replacement.
A BBC spokesperson said at the time: “We can confirm that Graziano Di Prima is no longer a part of the line-up of professional dancers for the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing.
“While we would never comment on individual cases, it is well-known that the BBC has established robust duty of care procedures, and if issues are raised we will always take them seriously and act swiftly as appropriate.”
It comes after it was confirmed Giovanni Pernice will not be part of the 2024 line-up of professionals amid allegations about his teaching methods, which he rejects.
Pernice previously said in a statement he is co-operating fully with an ongoing BBC investigation and that he looks “forward to clearing my name”.
