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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Two teens arrested after stabbing of 14-year-old boy in Manchester city centre
Emily Sergeant
Two teenagers have been arrested following the stabbing of a 14-year-old boy in Manchester city centre over the weekend.
In case you need bringing up to speed first, at around 3:15pm this past Saturday afternoon (17 October 2026), officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were called out to reports of a stabbing on the ninth floor of the Arndale carpark in Manchester city centre.
Emergency services attended the scene, and a 14-year-old boy was taken to hospital with injuries consistent with a stab wound.
Thankfully, the victim’s injuries are not believed to be life-threatening or life changing, but an investigation and enquiries are ongoing.
Police conceded that this will ‘understandably’ cause concern in the community, but has assured the public that they believe this to be an ‘isolated incident.
And now, it has been confirmed that two teenage boys, also aged 14, were arrested on Sunday night (18 October) on suspicion of grievous bodily harm, and tat this time, they are currently in custody for questioning.
“We’d like to thank the local community for their support during our investigation as well as the passersby who helped the victim following this incident,” commented Detective Inspector Sean McFadden, of GMP’s City of Manchester district.
“Your quick-thinking undoubtedly saved the victim from potentially life-threatening injuries.
“We appreciate that incidents of this nature can cause concern and we’d like to reassure the public that we understand this was an isolated incident and there is no wider threat to the community.
“Officers worked quickly and arrested two juveniles on Sunday, and they currently remain in custody for questioning.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting log 2050 of 17/10/2026, or via the LiveChat function. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – GMP
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UK Government announces £100 fines for ‘antisocial behaviour’ on public transport
Emily Sergeant
The Government has today announced plans to tackle antisocial behaviour on public transport.
In a bid to crackdown on loud music, littering, vaping, and other threatening behaviour on buses and trains, guidance was issued by the Government today for local authorities to prosecute and even issue fines of up to £100.
For many, playing audio out loud on public transport – also known as ‘loudcasting’ – has become one of modern life’s most irritating parts of the daily commute, but now, a new national campaign is aiming to encourage rail passengers, in particular, to ‘share the carriage, not the noise’ to improve the journey experience for all.
This will include reminders of the rules in place on the rail network and, if a passenger refuses to stop when asked by authorised rail staff, they can be removed from the train at the next station or face fines up to £1,000.
On buses, however, the powers for authorities were already made possible by the Bus Services Act 2025, meaning all local transport authorities in England are able to set and enforce their own rules.
Authorised officers – including transport safety officers and the police – will be responsible for enforcement, rather than bus drivers themselves, and they will be tasked with a three-step approach to deal with incidents. They will need to:
Engage with the person
Explain the rules and their impact on other passengers
Take enforcement action if they refuse to comply
“We’ve all been on the train when someone starts blasting music or videos from their phone,” commented Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
“It gets on your nerves and can quickly spoil the journey, so we’re launching a nationwide campaign reminding passengers to use headphones on trains. On top of that, we’re giving local leaders new powers to tackle loud music, vaping and littering on buses.
“It’s a simple thing, but one that will make journeys that little bit better for all of us.”
Ben Plowden, Chief Executive at the Campaign for Better Transport, added: “Antisocial behaviour is not just irritating, it can be a real deterrent to people using public transport – especially people with different accessibility requirements.
“If these new powers are properly and visibly enforced, they should help everyone feel safe and comfortable on public transport and enjoy the ride.”
Emily Sergeant -
17th July 2024 
