Peter Andre defends 'beautiful' former Strictly partner Janette Manrara and 'gentleman' Giovanni Pernice in the wake of bullying and abuse claims - and insists scandal is 'going too far'
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Peter Andre has come to the defense of the dancers on Strictly Come Dancing in the wake of the ongoing show scandal, insisting it is 'going too far'.
The BBC series has been engulfed in a growing crisis in recent weeks, with multiple star accusing their professional partners of abuse and bullying during their time on the show.
Peter, 51, appeared on the show in 2015 with Janette Manrara as his partner, and took to his Instagram on Wednesday to weigh in on the scandal, claiming it wasn't 'fair' to the dancers, and they should be 'cut a break'.
Filming a video from his garden, the emotional father-of-five singled out Janette, 40, as well as Anton Du Beke, Aljaž Škorjanec and Giovanni Pernice for praise, calling the latter a 'gentleman'.
He said: 'You know what, I do feel as someone that was on Strictly I should stick up for some of these people because I was there.
Peter Andre has come to the defense of the dancers on Strictly Come Dancing in the wake of the ongoing show scandal, insisting it is 'going too far'
Peter, 51, appeared on the show in 2015 with Janette Manrara (pictured) as his partner, and took to his Instagram on Wednesday to weigh in on the scandal, claiming it wasn't 'fair' to the dancers, and they should be 'cut a break'
Filming a video from his garden, the emotional father-of-five singled out Janette, 40, as well as Anton Du Beke , Aljaž Škorjanec and Giovanni Pernice (pictured last month) for praise, calling the latter a 'gentleman'
'And I know it was only one series that I was on but people like Janette Manrara who are the nicest, most beautiful people and they're getting dragged into things like this.'
Peter continued: 'Of course if someone did something bad and someone hurt somebody, I can understand that, of course that's unacceptable.
'But because I was there and people like Giovanni, they were always a gentleman to me , and Anton - they were lovely to me and not just me, but the way I saw them with people.
'And I think that when Janette's name got dragged in too, I'm like come on guys she's beautiful and Aljaž... I don't know know.'
He concluded: 'Yes of course if there's any misconduct that they have to find out, but I just think they're dragging everyone's names in and I just don't think it's fair. That's just my personal opinion. I think that some of them just need to be cut a break.'
In the caption of his post, he added: 'My thoughts on @bbcstrictly @jmanrara @aljazskorjanec @giovannipernice @mrantondubeke.
'Although I don’t know what happens in everybody’s training room I can only speak about what I saw and experienced.
'It is however important that people speak up if they feel that something was wrong and important that they are heard. When Janette and others got dragged into it too, I couldn’t help but wonder if this is going too far before any investigation.'
The BBC series has been engulfed in a growing crisis in recent weeks, with multiple star accusing their professional partners of abuse and bullying during their time on the show
In the caption of his post, he added: 'My thoughts on @bbcstrictly @jmanrara @aljazskorjanec @giovannipernice @mrantondubeke'
A grateful Janette commented on Peter's video, writing: 'Love you so much @peterandre' as he replied: '@jmanrara love you too ❤️'
A grateful Janette commented on Peter's video, writing: 'Love you so much @peterandre' as he replied: '@jmanrara love you too ❤️'.
However, Peter's followers took to comments of his post to criticise him for defending the dancers without knowing others' experiences and accused him of making it harder for people to come forward and speak out.
One person wrote: 'It's great that Giovanni was nice to you, or seems polite but we also need to believe women when they speak out about behaviour that makes them uncomfortable.'
Peter replied: 'yes agreed. And as I say, I can only speak on my experience. Also too remember, I’m sticking up for @jmanrara who was my partner. She too has been dragged into this. ❤️'
Another added: 'I’m sorry but this…. this is exactly why women don’t come out and disclose what has happened to them. Fear of not being believed, belittled and other men saying “they were always such a gentleman, there a good guy” yeah they were to you and that doesn’t stop them from not being different to someone else.'
But Peter responded: 'Jeanette is a woman and I’m totally sticking up for her as she was my partner and I saw how she worked. Confused by your comment ❤️'.
A third person declared that they were confused by Peter's defense after some dancers like Graziano had admitted to abusive behaviour.
They wrote: 'Everyone is entitled to an opinion of this sorry situation. What I don't understand is that people are coming out in support of these named professionals. Graziano has actually admitted to assaulting Zara McDermott by means of kicking her. Why would anyone support someone who is capable of assault when they should be there to encourage the non dancer to learn and feel safe in the environment they are in'.
However, Peter's followers took to comments of his post to criticise him for defending the dancers without knowing others' experiences and accused him of making it harder for people to come forward and speak out
Peter responded by declaring Graziano's actions as 'disgusting' and calling Zara a 'beautiful person'.
He wrote: 'yes, and I definitely am not in support of that. It’s disgusting. I’m talking about others who’s names have just been dragged in to this without any evidence ❤️'
'I will 100% NOT support that. It’s beyond terrible. @zara_mcdermott is a beautiful person and I’m glad she spoke out. But @jmanrara ? That made me anxious to say something'.
The scandal first erupted when Giovanni, 33, was suspended while a BBC probe was launched over claims of off-camera misconduct made by Amanda Abbington, 50, and two of his other former celeb partners, which he has vehemently denied.
Amanda quit the show last year citing 'personal issues' and in an interview with The Sun on Sunday, Amanda said: 'I found Giovanni's behaviour unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean. I couldn't sit back and let him do that to other people.'
Then fellow Italian dancer Graziano Di Prima was sacked from the programme earlier this month following claims he allegedly hit and spat at his dancing partner Zara McDermott, 27, during rehearsals.
In allegations reported on Sunday he was also accused of 'chasing' after her while 'screaming abuse,' leaving her so frightened that she 'locked herself in a toilet.'
Zara broke her silence on the scandal, explaining that while much of her time on Strictly 'was everything I could have dreamt of' inside the training room with Graziano there were 'particular incidents which are incredibly distressing'.
The scandal first erupted when Giovanni, 33, was suspended while a BBC probe was launched over claims of off-camera misconduct made by Amanda Abbington, 50, and two of his other former celeb partners, which he has vehemently denied (pictured together)
Amanda quit the show last year citing 'personal issues' and i n an interview with The Sun on Sunday, Amanda said: 'I found Giovanni's behaviour unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean. I couldn't sit back and let him do that to other people'
The dancer, 30, admitted to kicking his former partner, but added other allegations do not align with 'how he remembers it.'
In the wake of the allegations, more celebrities have come forward with stories of negative experience and treatment on the show, including James and Ola Jordan.
Janette found herself embroiled in the crisis after her former celeb partner Will Bayley revealed he couldn't walk for six months after becoming injured on the show.
The Paralympian, 36, explained Janette had made him redo a jump from a table in studio rehearsals after saying his first was 'rubbish', causing his leg to 'crack' and a lifelong injury.
Calling the ordeal 'traumatic', he called for huge changes on the show, but was insistent that he didn't blame Janette 'at all', calling her 'so supportive, very professional and so talented.'
A representative for Janette subsequently told the BBC: 'Janette had a great time dancing with Will and one of her favourite moments on the show was doing their contemporary couples choice.
'Her celebrity partner's safety and enjoyment was always the priority throughout her time on Strictly. Janette has never received any complaints and has maintained friendships with all her partners, including Will.'
Peter previously waded into the growing controversy this week, saying he had only positive experiences and insisting the investigation shouldn't happen 'behind closed doors'.
Then fellow Italian dancer Graziano Di Prima was sacked from the programme earlier this month following claims he allegedly hit and spat at his dancing partner Zara McDermott, 27, during rehearsals (pictured together)
In allegations reported on Sunday he was also accused of 'chasing' after her while 'screaming abuse,' leaving her so frightened that she 'locked herself in a toilet'
Writing in his OK! column, he said: 'I've been reading a lot about what's going on with Strictly at the moment but I can really only comment about my own experience on the show.
'I was surrounded by a great bunch of people. We don't know what is true but accusations are still only accusations until they're proven.
'On the other hand, things like this just shouldn't be happening behind closed doors. It's going to be a difficult time for Strictly and for all those involved.
'The show could be in the spotlight for a different reason this year.'
James Jordan also poured fuel on the flames of the Strictly bullying row after Steve Backshall complained that his dancing partner and James' wife Ola 'bullied' him while on the programme in 2014.
The former Strictly pro took to social media to make a jibe at the seasoned television explorer after it emerged that he lodged a complaint with the BBC over professional dancer Ola's 'rude and impatient manner'.
Responding to a Strictly fan's mocking disbelief that the hardened explorer - who has dived with Great White sharks and wrestled poisonous snakes in his career - could be 'reduced to tears' by the 5ft 4in dancer, James controversially joked: 'Please help me!!'
While there are claims a host of Strictly celeb contestants have set up a 'secret support group' where they have shared their own horror stories and corroborated one another's claims.
In the wake of the allegations, more celebrities have come forward with stories of negative experience and treatment on the show, including James (pictured with Geordina Bouzova) and Ola Jordan
Janette found herself embroiled in the crisis after her former celeb partner Will Bayley revealed he couldn't walk for six months after becoming injured on the show (pictured)
The Paralympian, 36, explained Janette had made him redo a jump from a table in studio rehearsals after saying his first was 'rubbish', causing his leg to 'crack' and a lifelong injury
MailOnline has revealed the show's hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman could begin the new series with an apology for alleged abusive behaviour suffered by celebs in a desperate attempt to save the show.
BBC bosses are said to be desperate to draw 'an immediate line' under the scandal when it begins in September and sources have said it 'can't start quick enough'.
They said the presenters may be asked to address it at the start of the first show and could even say sorry after complaints from Amanda, Zara and Steve.
The insider told us: 'This year's Strictly is the 20th anniversary and it will be a celebration of the show and its history.
'The BBC will want to draw an immediate line under what has happened. The show can't start soon enough.'
James Jordan also poured fuel on the flames of the Strictly bullying row after Steve Backshall complained that his dancing partner and James' wife Ola 'bullied' him while on the programme in 2014 (pictured)