BBC responds as two Strictly Come Dancing stars accused of taking cocaine

The BBC has responded after it was reported that two Strictly Come Dancing stars have been accused of taking cocaine.

The broadcaster is said to have hired an external law firm to probe the drug-taking allegations, which a source said were "well-known" on the show, The Sun on Sunday reports. The claims were reportedly made on behalf of celebrity contestant Wynne Evans in a legal submission to the BBC in March.

In response, a BBC spokesperson told Sky News: "We have clear protocols and policies in place for dealing with any serious complaint raised with us. We would always encourage people to speak to us if they have concerns.

"It would not be appropriate for us to comment further." Sky News understands that it is not unusual for the BBC to engage an external individual to provide additional expert resource to help deliver a BBC-led investigation. In these cases, they would report to an established BBC team.

The allegations published in The Sun on Sunday include a source saying that one Strictly star had told another about a third celebrity on the show: "Have you seen their pupils... they're off their face." "The BBC have known about these allegations for some time, and acknowledged receiving them.

Now they are taking firm action," the source reportedly said. The two individuals accused of drug taking have not been named.

It is the latest crisis to hit the BBC and Strictly. In July last year, Amanda Abbington accused Strictly dancer Giovanni Pernice of "abusive or threatening behaviour".

The actress, who was paired with Pernice, withdrew from the show in 2023. The BBC upheld "some, but not all" of the allegations, with Abbington describing an apology from the corporation as a "vindication.