Left to face the music

Pros' fury at lack of support over abuse claims, as BBC boss apologises to stars

- TOM BRYANT and MARK JEFFERIES

FURIOUS Strictly dancers fear they are being hung out to dry by former celebrity partners amid a wave of allegations about their behaviour on the show.

The pros do not believe they are being protected over the abuse claims and have called on BBC bosses to vet new contestants before they are put through the rigorous training for such a demanding contest.

Director general Tim Davie yesterday apologised to the stars who have complained about bullying and mistreatment on Strictly, just hours after Paralympian Will Bayley claimed on TV that his treatment left him with a lifelong injury.

But he also warned the under-fire dancers, "there are limits and the line should never be crossed... we will never tolerate unacceptable behaviour of any kind".

Stars such as Amanda Abbington, Steve Backshall and Zara McDermott made allegations about the behaviour of pros. Two, Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima, have left Strictly over claims of clashes with their partners.

It has been reported the BBC is facing a potential £1million personal injury bill with "more and more" celebs speaking to lawyers.

But a source said: "It's causing untold stress and mental anguish to so many of them as every day there are new accusations.

"Yes, one or two of the celebs in the last 20 years might have had a bad experience but they are in a tiny minority. The whole thing smacks of ambulance chasing."

Many of the dancers have urged BBC bosses to follow ITV, which vets contestants for reality shows.

Love Island offers "psychological and medical assessments and reports from each Islander's GP to check medical history".