STRICTLY COME DANCING: BBC TAKES ACTION TO STRENGTHEN WELFARE AND SUPPORT OF CAST

The BBC has today announced additional steps to strengthen welfare and support on Strictly Come Dancing. 

The BBC say: "Concerns that have arisen in recent months have been fundamentally about training and rehearsals. The actions we announce today are designed to address that. We have taken the decision to introduce the following additional practical steps"

The BBC say they will:

1. have a production team member present during training room rehearsals at all times;

2. increase existing support with the addition of two new roles on the show dedicated to welfare support – a Celebrity Welfare Producer and a Professional Dancer Welfare Producer; and,

3. deliver further training for the production team and crew.

"As a matter of course, the BBC and BBC Studios takes duty of care extremely seriously and our processes on the show are updated every year, and we will continue to keep this under constant review. It is always important to look at whether there is more we should do."

Kate Phillips, BBC’s Director of Unscripted, says: "Whilst we know our shows have been positive experiences for the vast majority of those who have taken part, if issues are raised with us, or we’re made aware of inappropriate behaviour, we will always take that seriously and act.

"Concerns that have arisen have been fundamentally related to training and rehearsals. The decisive steps we have taken and are announced today, act to further strengthen the welfare and support in place for everyone involved with this production."

Strictly Come Dancing returns this September on BBC One.