Will Bayley has hit out at BBC Strictly over the pressure felt in training
By Alex Davies
Published: 22/07/2024
Updated: 22/07/2024
Paralympian Will Bayley was paired with Janette Manrara back in 2019
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Former Strictly Come Dancing competitor Will Bayley has become the latest celeb to launch a scathing attack on the BBC dance competition.
The Paralympian has claimed that intense training pressures led to him performing a move that has left him with pain he'll be dealing with for the rest of his life.
Bayley's public complaint comes amid an ongoing saga at the show which recently saw Graziano Di Prima axed as a professional in the cast.
Di Prima "kicked" 2023 partner Zara McDermott and after the footage was reviewed, he was axed from the show.
Meanwhile, an investigation is ongoing into the behaviour of Giovanni Perniceanother who's left the showover "misconduct" complaints during his time working with Amanda Abbington.
On top of Di Prima and Pernice's exits, the BBC show is also reportedly facing a row surrounding resurfaced Anton Du Beke remarks and a "female pro" is also reportedly at the centre of another storm.
With complaints of a similar ilk surrounding the show at the moment, Bayley admitted he felt it was "the right time" to come forward with his own experience.
When paired with Manrara half a decade ago, Bayley claimed he was injured in rehearsals after feeling pressured to jump from a table as part of a routine.
Bayley says Manrara described his first attempt as "rubbish" and despite living with arthrogryposis which limits the range of motion in his joints, Bayley felt forced to try again.
"I hope what I went through never happens to anyone else," Bayley said as he delved into his time on the show.
"I think the show thought they were being inclusive by casting me, but I actually felt pressured.
"I have got a serious disability and I don’t think anyone was really looking out for me when I injured myself, leaving me with injuries that still affect me to this day.
"No one has ever contacted me from the BBC or said sorry. There was no duty of care — I should have been taken to hospital as soon as I had the accident, but all they cared about was trying to get me to dance."
Bayley had to leave his Strictly stint early when he tore knee ligaments, something he claimed was made to feel like was his fault.
The Paralympian also says he'd made bosses aware of the limitations he had due to his disability.
A BBC spokesperson told GB News in response to Bayley's claims" "We have longstanding protocols for dealing with injuries if they occur and that includes contestants receiving all necessary treatment and support as required."
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The long-running BBC staple had been hoping to enjoy positive press ahead of its 20th-anniversary special series later this year.
The investigations and scandals that have emerged have raised question marks about its future on the BBC, something long-serving judge Craig Revel Horwood has had to address recently.
When asked if he was worried about the show's future amid the ongoing sagas, he told BBC Radio Wales: "I don't think so because it’s one of those shows that belongs in the people's hearts that are at home who love dancing, and there's nothing better than seeing someone come from nothing and work hard and move up to being absolutely phenomenal."
The BBC has implemented a series of new measures for the upcoming series of Strictly, including chaperones during rehearsals as well as new dedicated welfare producers.
