A former star has admitted that the BBC show’s bullying scandal, which emerged earlier this year, was somewhat “blown out of proportion”. defended the star-studded glitzy programme as she said that most people involved in the competition are “fabulous”.
The 80-year-old broadcaster competed on the show last year and was saddened to see the controversy that erupted from .
After an investigation, the apologised to the actress and upheld verbal bullying and harassment complaints against Pernice – however, the broadcasters cleared him of the most serious allegations of physical aggression.
Angela told the Daily Telegraph newspaper: “The whole thing was blown out of proportion in some aspects online. It was unpleasant for everyone that was involved.
“But the programme is bigger than that. You may have one or two stories that are negative, but you have 2,000 stories that are positive. It doesn’t mean that everybody who works on Strictly has those same kinds of accusations made against them.”
Angela Rippon performed on Strictly last year (Image: Getty)
The Rip Off Britain host continued: “The majority of people who work on Strictly are fabulous. It’s unfortunate that there have been negative stories, but the negative stories are in the minority compared to what happens with the programme as a whole. And it’s the programme as a whole that will survive.”
Angela – who presented the show’s forerunner Come Dancing from 1988 until 1991 – made it to Blackpool on last year’s series with her professional partner Kai Widdrington.
She shared that she wholeheartedly adored her time on the programme as she said: “I just loved it.
Don’t miss… [UPDATE]
Giovanni Pernice was involved in a bullying probe by the BBC (Image: Getty)
“I had the best time, and I had the best possible partner. It is a joyous programme. I don’t know of any other television programme that brings such joy and happiness to people.”
Angela celebrated her 80th birthday in October and has no intention of slowing down.
The former newsreader said: “I’ve made it to 80. Did I assume that I would? I don’t know that I did, except that my parents lived until they were very old. In my mind, I’m still 30.”