The BBC has reportedly launched a probe to investigate claims of cocaine use by two stars of Strictly Come Dancing, with a fresh claim one of the stars involved was also drinking on the show.
According to The Sun, a celebrity has alleged that it was ‘well known on the show that two stars took cocaine.’
In response to the allegations, BBC bosses are said to have launched an enquiry using external lawyers.
The claims were reportedly made in March by law firm Russells, on behalf of former contestant and opera singer Wynne Evans.
According to the tabloid, other sources have also reported allegations of drug use to the BBC.
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The publication has since reported that one of the stars involved in the probe was also suspected of drinking, after other cast and crew smelled alcohol on their breath.
A TV insider told the tabloid: ‘The person in question is renowned for loving to party.
‘On a very physical show like Strictly, with lots of sets and moving parts, the idea of someone being intoxicated in any way is wholly unacceptable.’
The publication also claimed that the BBC was set to offer the two stars involved in the drugs probe the opportunity to attend rehab.
A BBC spokesperson previously told Metro: ‘We have clear protocols and policies in place for dealing with any serious complaint raised with us.’
Of the claims, the BBC’s spokesperson continued: ‘We would always encourage people to speak to us if they have concerns.
‘It would not be appropriate for us to comment further.’
As a part of the probe, former contestants, cast and crew alike will all be given the opportunity to speak to law firm Pinsent Masons about their concerns.
This comes as a celebrity source told The Sun that it is ‘well known on the show that two stars took cocaine…it was talked about widely among the cast’.
Meanwhile, one Strictly star allegedly described another person on the show as being ‘off their face.’
The Sun has not named the stars who have been accused of taking cocaine.
This comes at a fraught time for the BBC – and less than a year after its investigation into allegations of bullying on the Strictly set concluded.
A probe was launched into claims of misconduct by professional Giovanni Pernice, who was forced to step down amid claims that he had bullied actress Amanda Abbington during their rehearsals together.
After months of investigating, the BBC upheld two moments of ‘inappropriate behaviour of sexual banter in the workplace’
The investigation uncovered no findings relating to physical aggression, but complaints of verbal bullying and harassment were upheld, according to the PA news agency.
More recently, the BBC dropped former Strictly contestant Wynne Evans from his BBC Wales rolling contract after a series of controversies.
The singer sparked furore when his professional dance partner Katya Jones appeared to move his hand from her waist – which he said was .just a body language experiment that was picked up on’.
The pair maintained that this was a ‘silly joke’ which had simply misfired, but the opera singer was struck with more controversy when reports emerged that he’d made an ‘unacceptable joke’ about Strictly Live host Janette Manrara.
Evans subsequently apologised, describing himself as ‘deeply sorry for the pain my inappropriate action caused’ and would take a break from the public eye for ‘self-reflection’ and to ‘prioritise my wellbeing’.
Metro contacted the BBC for comment on this story.
A version of this story was originally published on August 3.
Strictly Come Dancing returns to the BBC this autumn.
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