Strictly Come Dancing faces fresh scandal as ‘married male contestant passionately kisses female pro dancer in 12-second dressing room clip’

Strictly Come Dancing has been embroiled in a new scandal after a video emerged of a former married contestant passionately kissing a professional woman.

The show has already been thrust into the spotlight amid a star rollout, sex scandals, an internal drugs investigation and accusations from contestants that they were harassed and bullied by the dancers.

Now TV insiders claim the 12-second clip, filmed at Elstree Studios, could ‘shake the foundations’ of the popular BBC show made infamous by Strictly Curse.

Locker room video, apparently shot by a production member, is said to show the family man from a recently released series leaning in for a kiss with the professional dancer sitting on his knee.

Sources say the video was shared on WhatsApp and if it surfaced online it could destroy his long-standing marriage to his “lovely and kind wife” and his family-friendly brand.

‘This incident has been a hot topic on Must Know for the last few years. A TV insider said the kiss lasted only a few seconds, but would likely end his marriage and destroy his carefully cultivated image of a family man. Sun.

‘It was shared on WhatsApp as everyone was a bit annoyed by this couple’s hypocrisy, especially since they always quash abusive romance rumors.

‘If this video were to emerge it would be a complete PR crisis for both the BBC and the two stars involved. ‘It will shake the foundations of Strictly.’

Strictly Come Dancing representatives declined to comment when contacted by the Daily Mail.

BBC bosses are trying desperately to keep the show free of drama after it has been plagued by a series of scandals.

The show was marred by controversy over how some professional dancers were training celebrities, and numerous accusations of bullying and abusive behavior emerged.

Actress Amanda Abbington unexpectedly left the show in October 2023 before claiming her partner Giovanni Pernice was abusive towards her.

A BBC investigation later revealed that the 35-year-old former Strictly professional was cleared of most of the allegations made against him by the star, with a further six upheld and he is now continuing with his career plans.

The competition was rocked by a new wave of scandal when Graziano Di Prima was sacked for ‘kicking’ his partner, Love Island star Zara McDermott.

The BBC has introduced new anti-bullying measures, including a dedicated helpline for stars and chaperones in rehearsals.

It comes after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced they were quitting as Strictly presenters

At the center of the scandals was Amanda Abbington’s accusation of harassment by pro Giovanni Pernice. He was later cleared of most of the charges against him

Elsewhere, professional Graziano Di Prima has been sacked by the BBC following gross misconduct allegations against former partner Zara McDermott.

Later in August, it was reported that the BBC had launched an investigation into cocaine use by two of the show’s stars.

Accordingly SunThe broadcaster has hired a law firm to investigate allegations of drug use by two people said to be ‘well-known’ drug users on the programme.

The allegations were reportedly contained in a legal application made to the BBC by law firm Russells in March on behalf of former contestant Wynne Evans.

The publication also understands others have also reported allegations of drug use at the dance show to the BBC.

The Daily Mail contacted BBC representatives for comment and a spokesperson stated: ‘We have clear protocols and policies for dealing with any serious complaints made to us.

‘We always encourage people to talk to us if they have concerns. ‘It would not be appropriate for us to comment further.’

Also that month, a Strictly star was arrested on suspicion of rape.

It was reported that the male suspect was ‘interrogated by the police due to allegations regarding the misuse of non-consensual intimate images’.

A Met spokesman told the Daily Mail: ‘On Friday 22 August police officers arrested a man on suspicion of rape and non-consensual misuse of intimate image.

‘This is a joint investigation with Hertfordshire Constabulary and although the investigation is in its early stages we would appeal to anyone with any information to come forward.

‘The arrest follows allegations from a third party of sexual and drug-related offences. Investigations continue.”

The Met Police also added that the alleged rape victim was being supported by specialist officers.

The latest series comes after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced they were stepping down as presenters of Strictly.

Tess and Claudia’s joint announcement on Instagram shocked fans and left pundits wondering whether Claudia and Tess had escaped a ‘sinking ship’ at the end of series 23.

They will appear together for the last time on the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special, which airs on December 25.

The joint announcement on Instagram shocked fans and left experts scratching their heads. Claudia and Tess are escaping a ‘sinking ship’ at the end of series 23, which has already had a very bumpy start.

BBC bosses are planning many more ‘major changes’ next year to win back those who abandoned the Saturday night programme, which launched in its current format in 2004, a source told the Daily Mail.

Approximately 5.6 million viewers watched the launch show this year; this number was more than 8 million just five years ago.

Another insider said today’s announcement also raises questions about the futures of judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke.

PR guru Mark Borkowski said the UK was now watching the ‘slow death’ of Strictly with the departure of Tess and Claudia within a few months, with presenters fleeing the ‘dying format’ to protect their own careers.

‘This is the slow death of Strictly,’ he said.

‘ITV can hear the death growl. Stars are being cautious after recent headlines. Have people seen the writing on the wall about who wants to be the last performer on a long-running variety show, thanking the studio audience who have already gone to bed?

‘Claudia and Tess’ release is a protection of the brand. ‘Timing is everything and nothing kills a career faster than adherence to a dying format’.

He added: ‘When faced with a juggernaut that is beginning to creak under its own sequins, the wisest move is to waltz while the music still sounds halfway decent.’