Pressure is no excuse Strictly has to act now

PRO dancer Pasha Kovalev firmly believes it should not be the last waltz for scandal-hit Strictly Come Dancing.

- ASHLEIGH RAINBIRD

There are calls to rest it next year after so much furore but former Strictly favourite Pasha thinks, with the right steps, the show can, and must, go on.

He said: "People absolutely love it, it brings so much joy and happiness to people it's escapism. It's positive, beautiful, challenging and immersive.

We need more shows like that." He believes the BBC needs to re-establish rules about workplace behaviour, and not let "bad apples" spoil the Saturday night hit show.

His remarks come as the BBC prepares to reveal the conclusion of its probe into alleged bullying by pro dancer Giovanni Pernice of actress Amanda Abbington, who was invited for a second interview last week.

The show has also been marred by Graziano Di Prima's exit from the show in the wake of video footage of his rehearsals with Zara McDermott, which she found "incredibly distressing" to watch back.

Both deny wrongdoing, though Graziano said that his "intense passion and determination to win" might have affected his training methods.

Russian dancer Pasha, a Strictly champ with the late Caroline Flack in 2014, felt "very upset" to hear the allegations.

"There are no excuses for such behaviour.