Katie Hind

The Sicilian dancer, 30, was axed from the show last week over reports he verbally and physically abused his celebrity partner Zara McDermott during last year's series.

It's at this time of year that Strictly's casting boss normally puts the finishing touches to her star-studded line-up. This time round, however, it's been quite a struggle.

The clip, which was filmed during the fourth series back in 2006, shows him rehearsing with actress Georgina Bouzova.

Strictly was thrown into further chaos today after Nadiya Bychkova complained to its bosses over ex-boyfriend Kai Widdrington 's conduct.

On Wednesday afternoon at the BBC's stately HQ, Broadcasting House, a meeting was convened to discuss whether or not Strictly Come Dancing could be saved.

Sources close to Smith, who played a young Prince Philip in The Crown, are said to be 'embarrassed' that he was to appear alongside Kieran Hayler.

She stepped into the shoes of the late Sir Bruce Forsyth when he bowed out of hosting Strictly Come Dancing a decade ago.

Lauryn Goodman has hired the same PR as Rebekah Vardy used in her battle with Coleen Rooney, instructing former News of the World journalist Ian Edmondson to do her public relations.

For 20 years it has been the weekly glitzy Saturday night extravaganza which warms the hearts of its viewers. But in recent weeks it has become clear there is more to Strictly than sequins and stardust.

When Amanda Abbington told how she suffered 'behaviour of a sexual nature' at the hands of her Strictly partner Giovanni in an interview this week, his lawyers were watching.