The BBC will ensure a member of the Strictly Come Dancing production staff is present during all future rehearsals following complaints about two professional dancers.
Last week, it was confirmed that Graziano Di Prima would not be returning as part of the 2024 professional line-up over unspecified claims of “gross misconduct”, which he denies.
On Tuesday, Love Island star Zara McDermott, who partnered with Di Prima in last year’s series, revealed that she was involved in incidents in the Strictly training room that she now finds “incredibly distressing” to watch back.
The BBC said it was announcing “additional steps to strengthen welfare and support” on Strictly.
“Concerns that have arisen in recent months have been fundamentally about training and rehearsals. The actions we announce today are designed to address that,” a spokesperson added.
Going forwards, the BBC said a production team member would be present during training room rehearsals at all times.
The corporation said it would appoint a celebrity welfare producer and a professional dancer welfare producer and also deliver further training for the production team and crew.
Kate Phillips, BBC’s director of unscripted, said: “Whilst we know our shows have been positive experiences for the vast majority of those who have taken part, if issues are raised with us, or we’re made aware of inappropriate behaviour, we will always take that seriously and act.
“Concerns that have arisen have been fundamentally related to training and rehearsals.
“The decisive steps we have taken and are announced today, act to further strengthen the welfare and support in place for everyone involved with this production.”
In June, another professional dancer, Giovanni Pernice, was dropped from the programme after his celebrity partner, Sherlock actor Amanda Abbington, left the 2023 series early.
She subsequently requested BBC footage of their “tense” training sessions, saying she had suffered mild PTSD and was seeking legal advice. Pernice has denied any wrongdoing.
McDermott, 27, opened up about her time on the BBC One programme following Di Prima’s exit from the show.
On Instagram she wrote in response to reports about her “treatment on the show” and said: “I have wrestled with the fear of opening up – I was scared about public backlash, I was scared about my future, I was scared of victim shaming.
“But after a lot of conversations with those I love, I’ve gained the strength to face these fears, and when I was asked to speak to the BBC, I spoke candidly about my time on the show.”
It was confirmed at the weekend that the Italian dancer is no longer part of the 2024 professional line-up and Di Prima has said his “intense passion and determination to win might have affected” his training regime.
In a statement he said: “I deeply regret the events that led to my departure from Strictly.”
“I wish the Strictly family and the BBC nothing but success in the future”, he added.
Last month it was announced that Pernice will not be part of the 2024 line-up of professionals amid allegations about his teaching methods, which he rejects.
Pernice previously said in a statement he is co-operating fully with an ongoing BBC investigation and that he looks “forward to clearing my name”.