Bobby Brazier has spoken out about the Strictly scandal and admitted to having “an argument” with BBC Strictly Come Dancing champion Dianne Buswell
Strictly runner-up Bobby Brazier has admitted to ‘bickering’ with pro partner Dianne Buswell, as internal investigations about bullying continue at the BBC dancing show.
The actor, 21, who rose to fame as Freddy Slater on EastEnders, made it to the final of Strictly Come Dancing 2023, alongside Dianne Buswell. Strictly bosses are investigating claims made by former contestants about ‘abusive behaviour’ and bullying, after allegations were brought against former professional dancers Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima.
Bobby has now opened up about his time on the show, admitting that he Dianne would “bicker”, but overall his experience on the show exceeded his expectations.
Bobby admitted he and Dianne would sometimes ‘bicker’
Speaking to the Mail, Bobby said his time on the show was better than he had expected. He admitted although he would quarrel with Dianne, 35, the pair had a “real balance” and would laugh about it afterwards.
He added: “It was real, you spend so much time with someone doing something you’ve never done, that’s really hard in a competition… so it’s never going to be completely one thing. I was so grateful it was everything to such an intense extent.”
Bobby also shared some advice on dealing with the professionals to the new crop of dancers including ex EastEnders co-star Jamie Borthwick. He said: “Take your lunch breaks and when your professional doesn’t want to stop and you do, take that nap.
“And request, humbly request, politely request that they wake you up nicely so you’re in a good mood ready to dance instead of tired and angry.”
Bobby spoke out as an internal investigation into Giovanni Pernice’s conduct on the show remains ongoing.
Head Judge Shirley Ballas has come forward in support of Giovanni amid allegations of ‘bullying’ partner Amanda Abbington, who quit the show midway through last year’s run. In July, she told the Mirror : “All I can say is that we have got some of the best professionals in the world on our show. They’re caring, and they’re kind, and they’re loving, and they give all of themselves because they are actually quite competitive as well.”
“They want the very best for their students, and they give absolutely everything that they can to the show. I’ve known Giovanni for 10 years, I can say that, and he’s been very, very good to me. Very, very good to me.” It is believed BBC bosses advised her to keep quiet about the scandal.
With Giovanni firmly denying the allegations against him, Graziano recalled a time when he accidentally brushed his celeb partner, Zara McDermott, with his foot after being frustrated during one of their training sessions.
And while Giovanni has denied the allegations weighing against him, Graziano Di Prima looked back on his own axing from the show with regret as he recalled kicking the floor in “frustration” one time, after hours of training. He told the Mail: “It wasn’t easy but that’s the pressure of the show. I wasn’t meaning to kick her. I’d never, never do that. My foot brushed her after I kicked the floor. Afterwards, I hugged her and said I was sorry. There was no problem. We carried on.”
He added that he wasn’t sure if the allegation of being kicked came from that incident, or from moving her leg with his foot while performing certain dance moves.