Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood said allegations of abusive behavior on the show came as a “shock”.
Last weekend, professional dancer Graziano Di Prima said he was leaving the BBC show following allegations about his treatment of reality TV star Zara McDermott – including confirmed reports that he kicked her during a rehearsal.
There have also been allegations about professional dancer Giovanni Pernice’s teaching methods, which he rejected as “simply false”.
Speaking to radio presenter Lucy Owen on BBC Radio Wales, Revel Horwood said he only learned of the allegations “through the press”.
“For me it’s a shock and a first for me because the judges are never present at any of the classes, we literally show up on Saturday and just judge what we see in front of us.
“So we are kept very, very separate from the rest of the company.
“For us it’s complete news. Every day I read about something I think ‘This can’t be right’ so I’ll wait and see what happens with the investigations, but we certainly have nothing to do with it.”
Asked if he was worried about the future of Strictly, he added: “I don’t think so because it’s one of those shows that belongs to the hearts of people at home who love to dance, and there’s nothing better than seeing someone come from nothing and work. hard and become absolutely phenomenal.”
The BBC said it will introduce companions from the production team in all future trials.
The corporation said it will also add two dedicated wellness producers to the show’s team and offer more training to the production team.
Revel Horwood said he thought it was a good idea.
“When I was in (the musical) Annie, we had chaperones everywhere, because of the kids and the laws and all that stuff,” he said.
The 59-year-old actor is currently starring in the UK tour of The Wizard of Oz.
“I realized that in the theater world we have chaperones and people we can talk to if you’re having a bad day,” he said.
“We have psychologists in the programs now and everything, so I think it’s just a normal progression of what’s going on in life right now.”
He added, “I think it’s good. I think it’s good to have.”
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On Friday, former Strictly pros Ian Waite and Vincent Simone said they were “surprised” by the allegations.
Speaking on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Waite said he had not seen anyone being aggressive during his time on the show, but condemned any physical action as “inappropriate”.
Di Prima said that “deeply” regrets the events that led to his departurebut that there are “aspects” of the story that he cannot “discuss at this time”.
Kate Phillips, director of unscripted at the BBC, said that although “the vast majority of those who have taken part” in BBC programs have had positive experiences, when the corporation is made aware of inappropriate behavior “we will always take it seriously and act”.
A BBC investigation is ongoing.
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