Strictly should take a break after rape accusation, says PR expert

The BBC should “rest” Strictly Come Dancing after one of the show’s male stars was accused of rape, a public relations expert has said.

Mark Borkowski, an agent who also writes about PR, said the programme would benefit from taking a break to prepare for the departure of the hosts, Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly.

The BBC must also cope with the resignation of its director-general, Tim Davie. “Strictly is performing really well on screen,” Borkowski said. “But off screen it threatens to provide more chaos for the new director-general.

“The sensible thing to do with new presenters starting is to rest it. They need to put all the controversies behind them, make people realise what they are missing out on and start again.”

The latest scandal comes less than three months after another male Strictly member was held over a rape charge.

The arrest this week involves an alleged incident in Hertfordshire last year. The complainant is not a dancer or contestant but the pair are understood to have met through the show.

Hertfordshire police said the man was arrested in London on October 13 on suspicion of rape and released on bail while inquiries continued.

Ten days later, the long-serving hosts Winkleman and Daly announced their departure from the programme.

Hertfordshire police said: “Inquiries by officers from Hertfordshire constabulary’s public protection team will continue.Given the nature of the allegations, it would be inappropriate to make any further comment at this time.”

The BBC’s flagship Saturday-night show has suffered a number of recent scandals. In August another man was arrested on suspicion of rape and nonconsensual intimate image abuse, as well as drug offences.

That month the BBC opened an inquiry into alleged class A drug use by two cast members.

In July last year, Graziano Di Prima, 31, the professional dancer from Sicily, was dismissed after a video emerged showing him kicking Zara McDermott, his celebrity partner.

In response to the controversies, the BBC has introduced safeguarding guidelines. Davie told the culture, media and sport committee in September: “We may see more things coming out because in some ways I’m asking for it and being transparent.”

A source told The Sun: “This is an absolute nightmare for the BBC. Bosses have done their utmost to steady the ship and make the show as scandal free as possible and yet this has happened.”