Everything always comes out in the end however much goes on behind the scenes to keep it quiet.

Celebrations of 20 years of glitz, glamour and elegance on prime-time Saturday night BBC look certain to be put on ice as Strictly Come Dancing, the jewel in the broadcaster’s crown, is at the centre of abuse claims about male professional dancers to their celebrity partners.

When this season is postponed, which it surely will be soon, parents are going to face a nasty task.

They will have to explain to disappointed children that their favourite dancing competition has been cancelled because professional male teachers had been accused, in one case so far, of physically and verbally abusing their female students. 

Children will learn quickly about how people paint on smiles in public while putting up with horrendous unacceptable behaviour in private because they are too afraid to speak out in fear of the backlash on them where they are made the villain.

Smoke and mirrors. Anything that looks as good as Strictly rarely is.

Intensive twelve-hour training days with competitive passionate perfectionist peacocks desperate to win the crown might be a legitimate excuse for tetchiness, but what we heard this week when Zara McDermott reportedly accused Graziano Di Prima of hitting, kicking and spitting at her during training sessions, was horrific.

Video footage of one training incident apparently “reduced those who have seen it to tears”, it was reported.

Di Prima’s sacking came after the departure of fellow pro Giovanni Pernice, who actor Amanda Abbington made serious complaints about, accusing him of “threatening and abusive behaviour” which left her with post-traumatic stress disorder. She quit the contest and sought legal advice. Three of his previous dance partners backed her up.

A third male dancer no longer with the show is now a ‘person of interest.’

What is bewildering in the whole sorry tale - and stinks of blind eye syndrome - is the existence of video footage from the training rooms. Like McDermott, Abingdon gained access to the training footage for their evidence. 

If film evidence exists, who has watched them?  Why has no one called foul?

Someone knew. Perhaps many people knew. But was the Strictly glitter ball too lucrative to risk tarnishing by tackling what was on the footage?

It’s not that Strictly has had no scandal in its two decades. The Curse of Strictly with cheating, divorces and new relationships is legendary.

But these allegations from 2023 are a whole new level. The 2024 series must be postponed. The show can never be the same again, especially if people knew what had been going on and said nothing. 

The BBC has now announced new welfare precautions, slamming the gate shut once the horse has bolted.

At the time, McDermott made no formal complaint about her treatment. In a climate where women aren’t believed or become the outcast when they speak out, is that surprising? 
When Amanda Abingdon left we all wondered.

That Zara stayed just makes the situation sadder and more serious because it implies a put up and shut up attitude exists.

But then the show doesn’t abide by normal rules of practice. One of judging panel is allowed to humiliate, derogate and ridicule dancers in a manner outlawed long ago in the workplace for family entertainment.

Comments are about as far from constructive criticism as you can get and designed to make his victims smart and squirm, but Craig Revell Horwood is portrayed as a pantomime villain rather than a bully.

The public response on social media has been uncomfortable, to say the least. Strictly fans condemning the ‘celebrity’ divas for not being able to take the heat is not a good look, given the accusations. 

Comments that they are trying to spoil the show and that ambition and a fierce competitive spirit makes people act with passion and fire are helpful. We are talking about abuse not a temper tantrum.

Then, it must be said, so far, all the complaints have been about male professionals against female partners. Where do the female professionals come in this? Have they been aware? Do they witness and endure this when they dance with the professionals?

Have there been the same complaints about the female professionals?

It’s time for the curtain to come down on Strictly as we know it to leave time for a proper investigation and have a rethink.

Shocking rape charge figures
Talking of women feeling fearful to speak out and report abuse...

Figures revealed this week showed that just one of almost 80 rapes in public places reported in Great Yarmouth had led to someone being charged.

It made my blood run cold. No wonder women don’t go to the police faced with these statistics.

Between January 1, 2022, and April 22, 2024, Norfolk police received 78 reports of rape in public places in the Great Yarmouth area.

While only one case led to someone receiving a charge, summons or postal requisition, figures reveal no arrests were made following 50 of the reports.

What picture does this paint for men? 

 And what does it tell women?