The boss of the BBC has apologized for the Strictly Come Dancing scandal, saying “with the advantage of hindsight we must always have completed extra” however positing that this yr’s contestants are “itching to get going.”
Tim Davie was requested mounds of questions by journalists in regards to the scandal, the present evaluation into allegations, responsibility of care procedures and the upcoming season throughout the Q&A session of at the moment’s BBC Annual Report.
“I’m very sorry that anybody has had an expertise on Strictly that hasn’t been wholly constructive,” he stated. “That’s one thing we do replicate on and I’m sorry about that.”
Two dancers have exited Strictly in latest weeks amid its largest disaster within the juggernaut’s 20-year historical past, which has brought about a tightening of protocols that can now see all rehearsals policed by a member of manufacturing workers. Graziano Di Prima left after it was reported that he had kicked former companion Zara McDermott. Giovanni Pernice, in the meantime, won’t participate on this yr’s present after allegations of inappropriate conduct from Sherlock star Amanda Abbington, which he denies. The Solar reported final week {that a} third dancer is being probed, whereas one other former contestant, British Paralympian desk tennis participant Will Bayley, has been talking out a few “horrific” harm he sustained on the present.
Davie stated he was “dissatisfied” when he heard in regards to the allegations. “I’m editor in chief of this group,” he added. “We care about responsibility of care and need individuals to have a constructive expertise. Total we’re very pleased with the BBC and our groups care deeply about these points so once you hear about these items you’re inevitably dissatisfied.”
To keep away from being a “hostage to fortune,” Davie wouldn’t be drawn on when the BBC’s evaluation into the allegations will probably be revealed however stated “I hope it will likely be resolved quickly and I need it to be resolved quickly.”
With the “advantage of hindsight,” Davie stated the BBC might have completed extra, “however the important thing right here is to deal with the state of affairs.” Questioned on Strictly responsibility of care by quite a few journalists, he stated “the measures we now have taken I imagine are acceptable and honest by way of coaching rooms having oversight and that individuals can have a constructive expertise.”
“Itching to get going”
Davie needed to repeatedly verify that this yr’s twentieth anniversary season will happen as deliberate, with the present revealed lineup of dancers all set to characteristic as deliberate.
“I’m assured by strong actions we now have made that we’re in a constructive place to ship an excellent season this yr and that has been my focus,” he added. “We have now a superb lineup this yr who I’m positive are itching to get going and you can be listening to extra about this within the coming weeks.”
Davie addressed journalists on the subject previous to the Q&A session, saying “there are limits and the road ought to by no means be crossed” earlier than including: “We are going to by no means tolerate unacceptable habits of any variety.” Amid the present probe, he urged anybody who “feels there’s something incorrect or needs to speak about their expertise” to “elevate it with us.”
The BBC’s Annual Report revealed 500 workers will probably be laid off over the following 20 months because it grapples with a hefty monetary deficit.
