Strictly star arrested on suspicion of rape as BBC show is hit with fresh crisis

Strictly Come Dancing has been thrown into a new crisis after one of its stars was reportedly arrested on suspicion of rape.

The male suspect, who has not been named for legal reasons, is also reportedly being questioned by police over allegations involving "non-consensual intimate image abuse".

The BBC confirmed to The Mirror tonight that there is an "ongoing police investigation".

The Met Police investigation follows a BBC-led inquiry into claims of drug abuse by stars on the show. A Met spokesman told The Sun on Sunday: "On Friday, August 22, officers arrested a man on suspicion of rape and non-consensual intimate image abuse.

"This is a joint investigation... and while the investigation is in its early stages, we urge anyone with any information to come forward to us. The arrest follows a third party ­allegation of sexual and drug-related offences. Enquiries are ongoing."

The alleged rape victim is being supported by specialist officers, he added. The dramatic development - separate from the upcoming series - is one of the biggest crises to be faced by the BBC since newsreader Huw Edwards dodged jail last year for possessing indecent images of children.

A BBC spokesperson has told The Mirror: “It would not be appropriate to comment on an ongoing police investigation.”

Strictly has been hit by a string of storms recently. Last year, dancer Giovanni Pernice quit after being accused of bullying and harassing 2023 partner Abbington. Some complaints against him were upheld but he was cleared of the most serious ones in a probe.

In the same series, the BBC pro Graziano Di Prima was removed over claims of misconduct towards partner Zara McDermott during training. And this year, Welsh opera singer Evans left the dance tour after being accused of making inappropriate remarks.

This week Kristian Nairn quit the show after just one week into rehearsals. He will be replaced by Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope as BBC bosses scrambled to find a last-minute stand-in. Northern Ireland-born Kristian revealed he had quit in an emotional Instagram video.

The 49-year-old said: "Like so many people at the minute, I have been dealing with a high level of stress and a little bit of grief, if I'm going to be really real. I've always been my mother's son and I have always powered through things like this in the past and any other time of my life actually. Honestly, I think I've got a pretty healthy attitude towards stuff like this.

"I thought I did, at least. For the first time it's manifested physically and it's caused a spike in my vitals. It's entered an area of concern.”

If you've been the victim of sexual assault, you can access help and resources via www.rapecrisis.org.uk or calling the national telephone helpline on 0808 802 9999

Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .