BBC boss says sorry for bad experiences on Strictly

The boss of the BBC - the director general - has said sorry to some of the celebs who appeared on Strictly Come Dancing.

It's after several contestants complained about the way their dance partners treated them in rehearsals, which they say included abusive behaviour.

Tim Davie said he was "disappointed" to hear about the complaints and warned it was important that the show's professionals shouldn't cross the line between being competitive and "unacceptable behaviour".

He also said the show would return later this year.

BBC boss "very sorry"

Tim Davie is the boss of the BBC

Mr Davie said he was "very sorry that anyone has had an experience that hasn’t been wholly positive".

"There will be a degree of competitiveness... but there are limits and the line should never be crossed," he said.

"We never tolerate unacceptable behaviour of any kind."

Last week, the BBC announced that a member of Strictly production staff will be in all rehearsals in future series to watch how people behave.

Changes to pro dancer line-up

Graziano Di Prima dancing with Zara McDermott

Strictly professionals Graziano Di Prima and Giovanni Pernice have both left the show after claims about their behaviour in training.

Giovanni denied "any accusations of abusive or threatening behaviour".

Graziano's spokesman admitted the dancer kicked his partner Zara McDermott during rehearsals last year and said he deeply regrets the events that led to his departure.

He said his "intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime".

Mr Davie described Strictly as a "wonderful show that brings a lot of joy to a lot of people for 20 years".

"To those involved and millions at home, hundreds of people - be they pros, contestants or crew - have had a brilliant experience.

"At the same time, if someone feels something is wrong and they want to talk, we want them to raise it of course, and be in no doubt that we will take it seriously and deal with it appropriately."

This year's celebrity participants are expected to be revealed in August.