Strictly star defends Anton Du Beke and lashes out at ‘witch hunt’

Strictly Come Dancing star Laila Rouass has addressed a historic remark made about her by her former partner Anton Du Beke, while hitting out at ‘witch-hunts’.

The BBC dance programme has been the TV show on everyone’s lips recently after the broadcaster launched a probe into the behaviour of Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima during rehearsals.

Both Italian pros have since been let go from the show and will not be returning, with actress Amanda Abbington making a series of allegations of controlling behaviour against Giovanni, which he has denied.

It later emerged that Graziano allegedly ‘hit and kicked’ his partner, reality TV star and documentary maker Zara McDermott, with the dancer saying in a statement that he had ‘deep regret’ for his past actions.

In another development, comments that current Strictly judge Anton, 58, made about Holby City star Laila, 53, resurfaced 15 years after they competed on the BBC series together.

At the time, the professional dancer apologised after using a four-letter slur for people of Pakistani origin.

After it was alleged that Laila stormed out of training when the derogatory remark was made, Anton said on It Takes Two: ‘I feel embarrassed. I feel stupid as well. It was a stupid thing to do, stupid thing to say.

‘I am mortified about it completely and, you know, Laila has been quite remarkably wonderful.’

In a new lengthy statement posted on Instagram, the actress has addressed the resurfaced comment that Anton made about her, saying that she felt that it was ‘necessary’ that she speak out following ‘false accusations, online abuse and harassment aimed at me and my family’.

‘Strictly is a show I have always loved so when I was offered the opportunity to compete, I was ecstatic. When I was paired with Anton, I knew I was in safe hands. The show demands much of your time and energy. Anton and I rehearsed 7 days a week for approx 6/7 hours a day. This was on my insistence and Anton made himself available at these times. At no point did I feel pressured by Anton or the producers to add more time to rehearsals,’ she wrote.

‘Unfortunately my time on the show was scarred by a handful of incidents, some of which were discussed in the press at the time.’

Laila then addressed said incidents, stating that Anton ‘used derogatory words and it was unacceptable’.

She continued: ‘Yes Anton publicly apologised to me. Above all this and, most importantly, I do not believe Anton is racist or Islamophobic. If I believed he was, I would have refused to dance with him.’

https://www.instagram.com/p/C99odZRoMFs/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Laila then stressed that ‘apart from the situation mentioned above, which was dealt with, at absolutely no point was I physically, emotionally, sexually or verbally abused by Anton’.

‘At no point did Anton use manipulation or cruelty towards me during rehearsals. At no point did I feel vulnerable in Anton’s presence. Anton was generous, patient and hard working,’ she outlined.

The former Strictly star then paid homage to other people who have spoken out about maltreatment during their time on the show.

‘I am making this statement because I do not want to take the focus away from those who
have bravely spoken about the alleged abuse they experienced on the show. I do not want my experience to be merged in with extremely serious and disturbing allegations from other contestants,’ she said.

‘The focus should remain with them and their stories, because their stories matter. Their stories must be addressed and investigated.’

The actress added that ‘it would be morally reprehensible if I allowed speculation about Anton to continue’.

‘It would be unfair for Anton to lose his livelihood, his reputation and his credibility because of an incident that happened 15 years ago and to the best of my knowledge has not happened again since. Witch-hunts have consequences that are far reaching and long lasting,’ she wrote.

‘I cannot in good faith allow this guesswork to continue.’

Concluding her message, Laila emphasised that it is important to ‘talk things through’, as well as to be ‘honest’ and have ‘sometimes uncomfortable conversations (provided you feel safe to do so) in order to learn and grow’.

‘I believe those willing to accept their misjudgment and change their behaviour mustn’t be condemn[ed] forever for their past mistakes,’ she shared.

‘However, the experiences I have personally heard, from other contestants, are incredibly concerning and far eclipse my own.’

Laila ended her message by making it clear that she has ‘not made an official complaint to the BBC regarding Anton and I do not intend to’.

‘I do however welcome conversations with the BBC about their duty of care,’ she said.

This isn’t the first time that Laila has spoken out in defence of Anton following the controversy, saying in a 2011 interview: ‘The story had been blown out of proportion. Anton didn’t mean to be offensive. I wouldn’t have danced with him if he was racist.’

Laila even backed him again in 2016, championing him to become a permanent judge.

‘I think Anton would be a fabulous judge,’ she said at the time. ‘He’s so funny, I can’t tell you. I was so lucky to be paired with that man.’

A source previously told The Sun: ‘His comment was dealt with at the time and he wants to move on.’

When contacted, a BBC spokesperson told Metro.co.uk: ‘We will not be commenting on individuals or engaging with speculation. However, as we have said previously we will always listen if people want to make us aware of something or raise it with us directly and we have appropriate procedures and processes in place to manage this.’

Earlier this year, Rachel Riley, who took part in 2013, told a podcast that she wants free therapy for all who appear.

‘I’d never danced a step before in my life and it was absolutely terrifying,’ she said on the High Performance podcast.

The Countdown star explained: ‘You go in there on a Sunday to learn a new dance and on the Saturday you’re dancing in front of 10 million people.’

‘Then you get the judges’ comments and it would be like the end of the world. I think I was in the dance-off, which is like a dance for your life to be voted off or stay on.

‘And the next week I was on the floor doing the dance and Pasha [Kovalev], my partner, said, “You’re not there” and said that I go and see Michael [the psychotherapist].’

Rachel added that she developed post-traumatic stress disorder from her time on the show.

Meanwhile, Fern Britton has said she was ‘kicked and shoved’ when competing on Strictly in 2012, where she was paired with Russian pro Artem Chigvintsev.

Speaking in 2015, the TV star said Artem would ‘look at my feet and just kick me or shove me’.

Soon after, Artem responded to her claims, telling the Daily Express: ‘I believe I treated Fern with respect and genuine care and these claims about me are the opposite of everything I believe in and the person I am. I cannot imagine what has prompted such statements which come as a shock to me.’

Footage has also since emerged of former pro Brendan Cole slapping the backside of Fiona Phillips three times in rehearsals during the 2005 series, with clips available on YouTube.

The TV presenter did reveal in 2017 that Brendan ‘was a real bugger’ and described him as someone who ‘wasn’t very nice. He was really naughty.’

Regarding recent allegations, the BBC announced it was taking measures to introduce ‘practical steps’ to support the welfare of contestants.

Dance rehearsals will now be monitored, with a production team member set to be present during all training room rehearsals.

‘Concerns that have arisen in recent months have been fundamentally about training and rehearsals. The actions we announce today are designed to address that,’ the statement from bosses began.

Strictly will also be welcoming two new welfare workers to the show, a Celebrity Welfare Producer and a Professional Dancer Welfare Producer.

Additionally, it was added that ‘further training’ will be given to the production team and crew.

Representatives for Anton Du Beke and Laila Rouass were previously contacted for comment.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.