Strictly Come Dancing bosses 'struggle to sign up female stars' amid Giovanni Pernice controversy

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Strictly Come Dancing is facing a significant challenge in recruiting female celebrities for this year's show due to the controversy surrounding professional dancer Giovanni Pernice.

The 33 year old Italian star, who is currently embroiled in a legal dispute with three of his previous dance partners over allegations of misconduct, which he vehemently denies, has reportedly caused a ripple effect on the upcoming BBC series.An insider revealed: "Strictly bosses have been left reeling by the backlash against Giovanni.

One problem it has caused is that the booking team are struggling to recruit female celebrities for 2024."Previously, some women have been hesitant to participate due to the infamous 'Strictly curse' and others have found it difficult to commit to the demanding schedule. "However, this situation has made the booking process more challenging than ever before.

There are concerns about potential treatment, while others are reluctant to associate with the show while it's under scrutiny."Last year, Giovanni was paired with Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington, 52, who withdrew from the competition during the fifth week, the Mirror reports.The BBC dance show is now confronting the most severe crisis in its two-decade history as lawyers investigate the allegations regarding Giovanni's behaviour during rehearsals.