Strictly Come Dancing star reveals who should ‘own up to’ bullying scandal

A Strictly Come Dancing star has addressed the bullying scandal that has embroiled the BBC show (Picture: PA)

A former Strictly Come Dancing pro has revealed who is to blame for the intense demands exerted on the dancers as she addressed the bullying scandal.

Oti Mabuse, 34, who was on the BBC show from 2015 until 2021, said there was no pressure created by producers and instead it originated from the professional dancers.

As she was asked about the furore that sparked the departures of Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima  she told The Guardian: ‘It’s something that comes from us, and that’s something that we have to own up to.’

Last year, Pernice, 34, exited the BBC show after his partner Amanda Abbington, 51, accused him of ‘inappropriate, mean, nasty bullying’ and claimed she was subjected to a ‘toxic environment’.

Following an investigation, the dancer was cleared of serious allegations regarding his behaviour, while six bullying complaints were upheld.

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Di Prima, 30, also left Strictly after allegations of ‘physical incidents’ during his training with Zara McDermott, 28.

Oti said dancers need to ‘own up’ to applying too much pressure (Picture: PA)