Former Strictly star claims show pros ‘bully each other’ and accuses dancer of mistreating her

, admitting that she had: "experienced bullying from other pros towards other pros".

She added: "We are dancers. We're in that environment.

"Dancers can be brutal towards each other, but I guess we're used to it."

The star also opened up about her experience with being paired with Artem Chigvinstev as part of the professional performances.

Katya said: "On my first season, the professional partner that I danced with, was definitely spoke and the way he treated me was not what I expected it to be.

"It was a really hard atmosphere to go into.

"You don't feel like you're good enough and you have the pressure of a professional dancer to look a certain way on the show and to be a certain way.

"So you expect a camaraderie from the other professionals, which on the first season was not so great.

"As the show progressed, by the third season when I partnered with Pasha it was a better atmosphere for me as a professional."

The Sun has contacted Artem's rep for comment.

Russian dancer Artem was on the show between 2010 and 2013.

He was paired with Kara Tointon, Holly Valance, Fern Britton and Natalie Gumede.

Fern Britton previously claimed that Artem ‘shoved and manhandled’ her and said ‘shut your face'.

Meanwhile Katya danced with Phil Tufnell, Gavin Henson and Dan Lobb.

Katya relocated to Hong Kong wit her husband Klaus Kongsdal and they run their own dance school Ballroom Bees.

Last night The Sun revealed that Zara McDermott had broke a leg bone in tough training last year.

Her partner Graziano Di Prima was sacked earlier this month from the BBC show after allegations that he had kicked her during training.

Earlier this year Giovanni Pernice left the show in May.

He's under investigation by the BBC over misconduct after complaints were filed by several of his former celebrity dance partners.

Giovanni denies all claims.