Strictly star admits last four weeks have been 'hard' during rehearsals for next series

Virgin Radio

19 Aug 2024, 15:35

Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Katya Jones has admitted the past few weeks of rehearsals for the show have been tough.

The popular reality TV series recently announced its 20th anniversary series' cast, and the show’s professional dancers have now been rehearsing for the show’s various pro routines for just under a month.

Amongst celebrations for the new series, however, there has also been a lot of uncertainty behind the scenes as the show has seen several controversies surrounding the behaviour of some of its former professional dancers.

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Taking to her Instagram stories recently, current professional dancer Katya Jones steered clear of mentioning any of the show’s recent controversies, but did share rehearsals for Strictly’s 12 pre-recorded dances had “been very hard physically. But so rewarding.

“I can’t wait for you all to see them,” she added, reflecting on the past four weeks of rehearsals with enthusiasm.

Other members of the Strictly team are looking ahead to 2024’s series of the show with excitement too.

Judge Craig Revel Horwood shared his joy that the show would be back to bring joy to our screens in a recent interview, during which he also shared that he believes calls for the show to be cancelled due to its recent controversies are “ridiculous”. The judge did make it clear that he welcomes the ongoing investigation into the behaviour of the show's former dancers, however.

Amanda Abbington was the first star to complain about “bullying behaviour” in the rehearsal room, and her claims led to an investigation and the eventual firing of her professional partner Giovanni Pernice, who still denies any wrongdoing.

Graziano Di Prima was also axed from the show after allegations emerged suggesting he’d kicked his 2023 celeb partner Zara McDermott during a rehearsal. 

Speaking about the incident recently, Di Prima shared that he “deeply regrets” the events which led to his departure.

The dancer revealed that he’s spent time “going back and forward to think of something that happened,” admitting that he believes he kicked his foot on the floor out of “frustration” and accidentally touched Zara. 

“My intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime,” his statement also said.

As well as confirming Strictly Come Dancing will be continuing this year with its next 15 stars, the BBC have also released statements explaining how changes are being made behind-the-scenes of the show to ”strengthen welfare and support” for all of its stars.

Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this Autumn.