In the wake of the ongoing Strictly Come Dancing bullying scandal former Strictly professional Ian Waite has controversially suggested that Italian dancers should be banned from the competition. Giovanni Pernice, 34, exited the show in April following allegations of bullying from his dance partner, Amanda Abbington, which he has strongly denied. Meanwhile fellow Italian Graziano Di Prima, 30, was dismissed after admitting to kicking his partner Zara McDermott.
"Well there's a link. They're both Italian. And a little bit of advice – don't book Italians anymore," Ian recommended on the Stripping Off With Matt Haycox podcast. "Unless it's all filmed it's your word against theirs. One of the problems is that, as pro dancers, we weren't given any safeguarding rules or guidance on how we should behave with our celebrity partners. What's offensive or abusive if there are no clear guidelines? We had to figure it out ourselves."
Amid the ongoing bullying claims the 53-year-old dancer, who recently triumphed in Dancing with the Stars Australia, said rehearsals can often become heated. Ian admitted: "There were times when I fell out with my partner yes. And there were even times when there were a lot of shouting matches going on but it was for a good reason."
