BBC bosses have slashed Strictly’s budget for the upcoming 20th series amid a series of scandals which could lead to payouts for former stars.
The casting budget on the flagship show was cut in the wake of the Strictly bullying scandal, according to Corporation sources.
Instead funding has been diverted to increased welfare measures on the dance show.
There are concerns among bosses of further financial strain as former stars line up to make claims for being mistreated during their time on the show.
The current scandal has seen numerous allegations of misbehaviour and forced professional dancers Graziano Di Prima and Giovanni Pernice to exit the long-running Saturday night programme.
A source said: ‘Money had to be found to pay for chaperones and welfare producers, and we still don’t know how much all these allegations are going to cost the show. It is not going to be cheap. A decision was made to make cuts to the cast.’
The reduced casting budget was noticeable with scores of Strictly fans underwhelmed when this year’s celebrity lineup was unveiled earlier this month.
Audiences were left scratching their heads as they struggled to recognise little-known TV doctor Punam Krishnan and former Love Island contestant Tasha Ghouri.
The source said that the only contestants on big money among this year’s cast are DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles and football pundit Paul Merson.
They added: ‘The line-up is one of our cheapest ever. We know audiences are disappointed, especially given the quality of our celebrities in the last five years.’
It is a further blow for Strictly bosses who had high hopes for the 20th anniversary series, which launches on September 14.
Working on the latest series will be a team of new production staff to chaperone the celebrity stars. They will be present in rehearsal room training at all times to monitor any signs of inappropriate behaviour.
BBC bosses were forced to take ‘decisive steps’ to improve the show’s protection for celebrities after allegations of abuse were made by contestants including actress Amanda Abbington and former reality TV star Zara McDermott.
Pernice, Strictly’s longest-serving male pro, was accused of bullying by Abbington in rehearsals last year and a BBC investigation is still ongoing. The 33-year-old Sicilian has strongly denied any wrongdoing.
The Mail on Sunday yesterday revealed Pernice was to be exonerated after Abbington’s accusations. BBC insiders told the newspaper there was no evidence that Pernice had bullied her.
But the actress is said to be so determined to win her case that she is having what friends of Pernice describe as ‘one last throw of the dice’ by telling the BBC about a short video clip he sent to her on WhatsApp.
Sources within the Corporation say it is ‘sex-related’ but in its nature was ‘very much banter’.
A source said: ‘This is literally the last thing that Amanda has got, so, of course, she will be hoping that it sticks. It’s the only thing that is in any way tangible against Giovanni.’
The report’s findings are not expected until next month.
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Source: Tampa Bay Times
