EX-STRICTLY pros James Jordan and Brendan Cole have mocked accusations of bullying on the scandal-hit show.
James – whose wife Ola was a professional dancer accused of bullying – made fun of celebrities who came forward during a BBC investigation into the series.
James, 4, filmed a rehearsal with some former Strictly stars, and said: “This is what happens when you don’t have chaperones…”
The camera revealed Brendan, 48, with blood pouring from his nose, as former Strictly pro Ian Waite apologised and Vincent Simone collapsed into laughter.
Brendan hobbled away and James continued: “So it’s happened already, Ian, Ian has hit Brendan on the nose, split his nose open, possibly broken.”
The camera panned to a group of female dancers, and James contnued: “This ladies and gentleman is what happens when you don’t have chaperones with you to make sure everything is OK.
“The girls are laughing, as if Brendan’s nose wasn’t big enough already, the blood is dripping.”
Brendan replied in a wining voice: “Help me, help me!”
And Ian said: “Terrible, I feel so terrible, I’ve just broken Brendan’s nose! I feel so bad!”
Strictly Come Dancing’s bullying crisis was sparked earlier this year when Amanda Abbington complained about axed Giovanni Pernice.
And professional Graziano Di Prima, 30, was fired following claims he hit, spat at and kicked former celebrity partner Zara McDermott, 27, during rehearsals.
It is understood that Steve Backshall complained directly to a Strictly producer about Ola Jordan after their Halloween-themed Charleston.
Following this, bosses called Ola in for a meeting and agreed that she and Steve would be accompanied at all times while they remained in the competition.
Chaperones will now accompany all Strictly pairings in the 2024 series.
The dancers will be monitored during rehearsals and multiple new dedicated welfare roles will be given to dependable producers.
At the time, Steve spoke about the physical demands of the series.
He said he was unable to point the toes of his left foot due to a fused ankle from a climbing accident.
The action star revealed he was in “constant pain” during Strictly training and took painkillers every day.
He said: “It has absolutely broken me. You are training all day long on hard wooden floors wearing dance shoes that have no give in them at all, and no cushioning.
“The impact travels straight all the way through my body and I’m just falling apart.”
Meanwhile, Strictly’s Janette Manrara has broken her silence over the show’s bullying probe as husband Aljaz Skorjanec came under fire.
Janette, 40, has also hit back at claims Will Bayley suffered life changing injuries when dancing with her.
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Source: USA Today
