backstage swipe
Strictly’s Kevin Clifton hinted at show drama as he slammed pro for ‘making it obvious’ they didn’t like their partner
It comes as the director general of the BBC apologised for the controversy
KEVIN Clifton previously hinted at drama behind-the-scenes on Strictly Come Dancing as he slammed a pro dancer.
The 41-year-old choreographer took aim at at a fellow dancer in an interview from 2021.
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Kevin was asked by a fan whether off camera attitudes change between a celebrity and pro partner pairing.
He famously brought up when singer Lulu was paired with now axed Brendan Cole in 2011 - and admitted publicly she didn't want to be paired with him.
Kevin said: "Well there was a famous one before I was on the show when LuLu was paired with Brendan and she basically said on the show, 'Oh no, I didn't want to get paired with him.'
"And everybody was like, 'Oh, great!'"
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But Kevin continued by revealing a Strictly pro dancer had been very vocal off stage about their celeb pairing.
Kevin told his sister during an episode of his podcast series: "It doesn't happen very often, [but] I have seen it."
He added: "I won't name names, but I have seen it from someone who was not happy with their pairing and they made it quite obvious."
Kevin and Stacey Dooley met on - and won - Strictly back in 2018 and later became a couple.
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It recently emerged how Graziano Di Prima kicked his dance partner Zara McDermott in rehearsals.
Strictly's Will Bayley says BBC has ‘a lot to learn’ from training injury as he details ‘traumatic’ time on This Morning
He was fired for gross misconduct when the claims emerged in the inquiry into fellow pro Giovanni Pernice.
Graziano has since admitted kicking Zara during rehearsals and is now working on a farm in Italy for £6 an hour.
Investigations continue as more celebrities come forward with complaints.
How might Strictly's scandal affect the show's future?
By PR expert, Nick Ede
THE Strictly Glitterball has been tarnished by the revelations about Graziano and Gio and there is no going back for the show.
With other celebrities making their feelings known daily, this is not how the BBC saw their flagship show going into its next season, celebrating its 20th anniversary.
This dark cloud will forever change the show and all eyes will be on the dancers, the celebrities, their relationships and dynamics.
I am sure, with precautions being made, there will be less spark with the stars and this will, too, be a shame as the chemistry is something the audiences love and talk about.
Strictly is a bright star and one of the biggest shows on the planet. Not only does it bring families together, it has an effect that can be felt UK-wide with people up and down the country tuning in to enjoy it.
Also, it's important not to tarsnish everyone on the show with the same brush.
Most of the professional dancers have had an impeccable record and it’s a shame to bring up past stars, who are no longer on the show, as well as the current stars who put their life and soul into performing each week.
The BBC has a responsibility and duty of care and, with new infrastructures in place, hopefully the brand will get beyond this and continue giving joy to so many millions of people who view it religiously.
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