The BBC has announced plans to introduce rehearsal chaperones on Strictly Come Dancing after complaints from former contestants.
Following the news that professional dancers, Graziano Di Prima and Giovanni Pernice, are stepping down from their roles and will not be returning to the cast of the ever-popular BBC reality competition show when it returns later this year, the BBC has now announced some additional steps to strengthen welfare and support on the show.
These new measures follow complaints made about training and rehearsal expectations from some of the professional dancers, as well as their treatment of contestants and overall conduct.
Former Love Island star and documentary maker, Zara McDermott – who competed on Strictly Come Dancing last year, and was partnered with Graziano Di Prima – is the first former contestant to publicly speak out against her professional dance partner’s conduct on the show.
The media personality notably took to social media this week to share her personal account.
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BBC to introduce Strictly Come Dancing rehearsal chaperones following ex-contestant complaints / Credit: BBC iPlayer
The 27-year-old said she had “wrestled with the fear of opening up” about her time and experiences on the show because she feared the “public backlash” and “victim shaming” that could come with it.
Ultimately though, McDermott said she gained strength to “face those fears” and speak out.
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“So much of my Strictly experience was everything I could have dreamt of,” McDermott wrote in her statement shared to her Instagram Stories yesterday (16 July).
“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.”
Zara McDermott is the first ex-contestant to publicly speak about her experiences and treatment on the show / Credit: BBC | Zara McDermott (via Instagram)
The BBC says that, due to the concerns having arisen in recent months being “fundamentally” about training and rehearsals, the actions and additional “practical” steps it has announced this week are “designed to address that”, for the most part.
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The broadcaster says that, as “a matter of course”, it takes duty of care “extremely seriously”, and its processes on Strictly Come Dancing updated every year to reflect this – with its intentions being to continue to keep this under “constant review”.
So, from this upcoming series of the show onwards, the BBC has confirmed that there will be a production team member present during training room rehearsals “at all times”.
On top of this, the broadcaster says it intends to increase existing support with the addition of two new roles on the show dedicated to welfare support – a ‘Celebrity Welfare Producer’ and a ‘Professional Dancer Welfare Producer’.
Further training will also be delivered to the wider production team and crew.
Kate Phillips, who is the BBC’s Director of Unscripted, admitted that while the broadcaster knows its shows have been positive experiences “for the vast majority” of those who have taken part, she said that “if issues are raised with us, or we’re made aware of inappropriate behaviour, we will always take that seriously and act.”
Featured Image – BBC
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There’s a farm in Greater Manchester where you can meet Lilo and Stitch
Thomas Melia
Any fans of the Disney classic Lilo and Stitch are in luck because there’s a farm in Greater Manchester which is hosting a special meet and greet event.
Who doesn’t love a sci-fi comedy drama film, especially one where the lead character’s sidekick is none other than the adorable little blue experiment with a voice we still imitate to this day?
Originally released in 2002, the Lilo and Stitch film is receiving a live-action version in 2025 and we’re sure to fall in love with Lilo and her little blue fur ball pal over again, 23 years later.
Ahead of the new live adaptation, Cockfields Farm in Greater Manchester is hosting a meet and greet event dedicated to this huge Disney film.
This is the perfect opportunity for little ones and grown-ups alike to come and meet two of their favourite Disney characters while also getting a chance to venture around the farmland as well.
As the event is taking place at a farm, this means that the Lilo and Stitch experience won’t be the only event guests will be able to take part in; there’s also a handful of fun farm-based activities to try your hand at too.
There are tractor rides, a giant bouncy pillow and a carousel running all throughout the day for any kids looking to let off some steam.
And those after a quieter and less energetic itinerary can head on over to the cuddling corner, feed meerkats and handle some reptiles too, this farm is catering for all.
With the meet and greet experience occurring during May, meaning more chance of that gorgeous sunshine, anyone attending is also advised to come dressed in their ‘Hawaiian best’.
Lilo and Stitch are coming for a special meet and greet at Cockfields Farm in Ashton-under-Lyne on 17 and 18 May, with tickets already live HERE.
Local Olympian Keely Hodgkinson named as official starter of the 2025 Great Manchester Run
Danny Jones
One of our very own is getting ready to get thousands of racers underway as local Olympian, Keely Hodgkinson MBE, has been named as the official starter for the 2025 Great Manchester Run.
Atherton’s very own generational trackstar, who picked up gold at Paris 2024 and has earned several other medals, not to mention smashing multiple British records, will be leading the hordes of runners taking on the annual AJ Bell challenge through central Manchester next month.
We couldn’t think of anyone better suited to fly the flag for Greater Manchester.
HUGE NEWS incoming… 👀🔥
We’re super excited to announce that Olympic champion @keelyhodgkinson will be the official race starter for this year’s AJ Bell Great Manchester Run! 🏃♀️💥👏🐝 pic.twitter.com/aHHxeaMQ9p
Hyping up the news on social media, the Great Run company went on to add: “A true hometown hero, an Olympic champion, and now, kicking off Manchester’s best running party of the year – the BIGGEST in a decade! We’re proper BUZZZZZING! Let’s have it, Manchester!”
Safe to say they’re pretty ecstatic with the news, and so are we, as Keely Hodgkinson becomes the latest Team GB member to bring their pedigree to the event, following in the very fast footsteps of Sir Mo Farah, Kelly Holmes, Amir Khan and many more.
Although the 800m specialist is yet to comment on the announcement directly, the magic of getting to put the hard yards in front of a home crowd won’t be lost on her, and it goes without saying that she’ll get an unreal reception from the Manc spectators – of which there are expected to be more than 100,000.
Better yet, over 35,000 participants are set to take on the Great Manchester Run this year, therefore teeing potentially record-breaking crowds for the event.
2025 marks the 22nd edition of the event, and the atmosphere throughout the city centre, as well as out into East Manchester and Trafford, is always spectacular. There are still places left if you’re tempted…
Undoubtedly one of the very best athletes to ever come out of the underdog borough that is Wigan, whether you argue the case for old Lancashire or not, surely we can all be proud to call her a Greater Mancunian this spring, just as we did back in the summer?
Once again, it isn’t long before the annual race day kicks off as the Great Manchester Run arrives on Sunday, 18 May, with Keely Hodgkinson beckoning everyone towards their own hero moments.
There are still places left for both the 10k and half marathon distances, and now we’ve seen the medal design for this year, we might just have to sign up again ourselves.
You can find out more and decide for yourself HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
17th July 2024 
