Strictly Update.

Anniebach

Frustration is no reason for abuse, fault is with the abuser

Absolutly agree, the non proffesionals signed up for hard work, that's to be expected. They did not sign up for abuse.

Anniebach and rafichagran I hope you're not misreading my post. I did make a point of saying that there's absolutely no excuse for people being hit and kicked. I thought I'd made that VERY clear.

Callistemon213

Joseann

I'm Strictly's biggest fan, but I do agree with the comments on here. I would happily get rid of all the training session stuff from the show, and the slushy relationship clips. It's not necessary for tv audiences. I'm watching for the dancing, the costumes, the lighting, the music etc. There's no need for all this adoration of the pros, even though they can bring out the best in lots of competitors. That's not to say I want bullying brushed under the carpet, and the BBC needs to carefully monitor this.

What I would say as an aside, from my own rigorous training in ballet, is that it can be brutal. Our teachers used to pull and push our bodies all over, stopping just short of abuse. The better you got, the harder they pushed.

My DD did ballet and when older DD was about 6 or 7 she went to a teacher who was Rambert trained. When she started crying before lessons I knew something was wrong, then found out the teacher (and her elderly mother) were both dreadful bullies.
We moved, she joined another very popular school and spent many happy years dancing. A couple of the children DD knew went on to the Royal Ballet School where I'm sure the regime was far stricter.

This is a tv show, yes, they are getting paid but there's no excuse for abuse.

My sister trained in ballet.

It was brutal, her feet have never recovered from being en pointe and it took her a while to regain a healthy relationship with food. (This was in mainland Europe, not U.K.)

I can still remember my piano teacher rapping my knuckles with a long cane when I played a wrong note. I enjoyed playing but not the lessons, she ruined music for me 🥲

Remember how Brendan Cole was awful to some of his celeb partners, if they weren’t very good?

Not saying he was physically abusive or anything, but he said some rather nasty things to them, basically just telling them how hopeless they were.

I bet anyone who wasn’t a natural dancer hoped they wouldn’t get him as their pro.

GrannyGravy13

Callistemon213

Joseann

I'm Strictly's biggest fan, but I do agree with the comments on here. I would happily get rid of all the training session stuff from the show, and the slushy relationship clips. It's not necessary for tv audiences. I'm watching for the dancing, the costumes, the lighting, the music etc. There's no need for all this adoration of the pros, even though they can bring out the best in lots of competitors. That's not to say I want bullying brushed under the carpet, and the BBC needs to carefully monitor this.

What I would say as an aside, from my own rigorous training in ballet, is that it can be brutal. Our teachers used to pull and push our bodies all over, stopping just short of abuse. The better you got, the harder they pushed.

My DD did ballet and when older DD was about 6 or 7 she went to a teacher who was Rambert trained. When she started crying before lessons I knew something was wrong, then found out the teacher (and her elderly mother) were both dreadful bullies.
We moved, she joined another very popular school and spent many happy years dancing. A couple of the children DD knew went on to the Royal Ballet School where I'm sure the regime was far stricter.

This is a tv show, yes, they are getting paid but there's no excuse for abuse.

My sister trained in ballet.

It was brutal, her feet have never recovered from being en pointe and it took her a while to regain a healthy relationship with food. (This was in mainland Europe, not U.K.)

I can still remember my piano teacher rapping my knuckles with a long cane when I played a wrong note. I enjoyed playing but not the lessons, she ruined music for me 🥲

My driving instructor used to push my left foot down extremely firmly with his walking stick on to the clutch pedal.

My sister-in-law apparently vomited every week before her horseriding lesson but didn't want to give it up - or even go somewhere else.

I remember having my toes kicked into position in ballet, being made to hold positions for extended periods of time and my body being unceremoniously shoved into the correct shape/attitude. I was never intending to be a professional dancer.

I think professionals have endured many and various brutal regimes and only survived because they had a passion. We do know better ways now of getting results - but these professionals are not trained in teaching and they trained in older systems where it was very much sink or swim.

I think having people on hand to talk to is reassuring. There ate probably some prospective competitors who are anxious now and need the safety blanket of someone being there for them. They may have people who won't sign up if they don't address the issue fully.

You made it VERY clear, Sparklefizz, as did I and others. Don't worry.
I guess the BBC will now put a Junior Production Assistant in with the couples in order to note any untoward behaviour. Not that that is simple either.
I agree that dance/gymnastic/sport training is gruelling. However, there has to be discipline and correction for the pupil to improve their performance. It's a fine line. There is no place for abuse.

I wonder if the sports celebrities find it easier, as they are used to training relentlessly, and often have coaches who can be quite brutal.

Sara, my husband and I wondered about this last autumn. I'd forgotten about that discussion.

Yes, I've mentioned before that any athletes who take part will take constructive criticism from the judges and work with it.

An athlete would surely be competing for him/herself ?

rafichagran

If Graz has admitted he was physical and verbal then he is a bully and the decisions to for him not to be In the show was correct.

If it is all true, that’s assault, where’s the court case?

As a Strictly fan I'm sorry to read of possible abuses in the training room. Unfortunately issues of misconduct/abuse seem to crop up a lot in physical/competitive training regimes (e.g. gymnastics, ballet). I hope Strictly can find a way through this that eliminates the problem.

You do realise you’re victim blaming ?
Not everyone is able to speak up and given the vitriol Amanda Abington had to contend with it’s not that surprising that Zara chose to stay quiet .

Isn’t there a difference between sports training and Strictly? The latter is entertainment so surely it should be enjoyable for all concerned. That they might need counselling seems crazy to me. Full disclosure - I stopped watching Strictly two seasons ago because I hated all the extraneous fluff that went on as well as the two night nonsense. I would watch again if it were about the dancing and absolutely no possibility of bullying.

Will Strictly continue? Perhaps it’s time to put it to bed.
Bullying, physical or mental is inexcusable and like some on here have mentioned, what used to go on in the past in ballet, gymnastics and piano would definitely be seen as bullying now.

Having someone else in training sessions will be good for both partners and professionals.

If Strictly continues, I’d like to see those who find it too much, drop out as soon as they feel like that, not keep on because of the money, then tell all at the end.

Yes, Lizzie44, the BBC has their work cut out for them.
The problem as I see it, is that in their quest for adoration and idiolisation, both the contestants and the pros have become too far up themselves to realise that it is first and foremost an entertainment show. They need to loosen up and not take themselves so seriously.

Ann Widecombe has plenty to say about all this!! ( In the Telegraph today) She points out that these women are adults not children. Why on earth can’t they cope with whatever happened? Why on earth do adults need a chaperone? It’s mad. What is the matter with these women? You never hear of any sporting contestants complaining about a tough regime- they’re used to training hard for success. I’m afraid I agree with Ann - it’s ridiculous.

Mollietwoknees

You do realise you’re victim blaming ?
Not everyone is able to speak up and given the vitriol Amanda Abington had to contend with it’s not that surprising that Zara chose to stay quiet .

Well then, we should be looking at ways to empower people to do just that.

montymops

Ann Widecombe has plenty to say about all this!! ( In the Telegraph today) She points out that these women are adults not children. Why on earth can’t they cope with whatever happened? Why on earth do adults need a chaperone? It’s mad. What is the matter with these women? You never hear of any sporting contestants complaining about a tough regime- they’re used to training hard for success. I’m afraid I agree with Ann - it’s ridiculous.

I agree with Ann in as far as times were probably different in her era. It's all got out of control.

How come no politician has been fired for misconduct during covid?
There is something very weird with this strictly business?
Maybe the ‘celebs’ are too entitled to go on these kind of shows! Can’t take the heat?

What I do not understand is why those girls put up with abuse, clearly, fame and dosh were top of the list.

I think it would help if the BBC cut out all this business lies about celebrities having no dance/stage experience before they come to Strictly. The majority of the performers have been on stage and know exactly how to milk an audience. To be fair, the athletes have purely their physical prowess and bravery.

Oh dear
Telegraph reading Widdicombe lovers.
Time to leave Gransnet.

These professional dancers have been dancing for years and have been through rigorous training sessions practically from the cradle. What the celebrities are 'complaining' about is probably no more than what the pros have been used to, no excuse for bullying I know but surely celebrities who genuinely have absolutely no experience of dance must surely understand that the pro is really only trying to get the best from them. Both sides should cut each other some slack and accept the limitations on both sides. Some of the newer tranche of pros are probably trying too hard to prove themselves whereas the old guard like Anton tended more to try and work to the lack of experience of their celebrity.