BBC CHIEF 'VERY SORRY' FOR STRICTLY BULLYING SCANDAL

BBC boss Tim Davie has offered a heartfelt apology for the bullying crisis engulfing Strictly Come Dancing, but insisted the show must go on.

- Giles Sheldrick and Mark Jefferies

The director general, below, was forced to intervene personally over allegations which threaten to overshadow the 20th anniversary series.

Strictly is the BBC's jewel in the crown but its reputation as a familyfriendly prime-time show has been tarnished after a string of former contestants claimed they had been mistreated while learning to dance in a toxic environment.

Mr Davie said: "I'm very sorry that anyone has had an experience on Strictly that hasn't been wholly positive." He insisted the show, the most popular series on the BBC, would go ahead with a "brilliant" line-up later this year.

But, in a warning over future conduct by the under-pressure professional dancers, he continued: "There are limits and the line should never be crossed. We will never tolerate unacceptable behaviour of any kind."

His stance came as accounts revealed that disgraced ex-News at Ten presenter Huw Edwards was one of the broadcaster's biggest earners last year despite being suspended amid a sex scandal.

The BBC faces a rash of allegations over bullying on Strictly. Pro dancers Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima have left Strictly in recent weeks.

Disturbing claims surfaced after contestant Amanda Abbington, 50, claimed Pernice, 33, was "abusive, cruel and mean" causing the Sherlock actress to withdraw.

He will not be joining this year's line-up but has denied any accusations of abusive or threatening behaviour.