Strictly AXE annual Blackpool wrap party after string of scandals – so cast & crew take over hotel bars instead
STRICTLY bosses tried to clamp down on the traditional revelry after the Blackpool show – even going so far as to deny any kind of wrap party had taken place.
Yet there were over 100 people drinking inside the entertaining areas of the Holiday Inn hotel where celebrities, pros and crew were staying.
The fun went on until the early hours, with those taking part included JLS star JB Gill who briefly went onto the street outside for air, and looked like he was holding a glass of bubbly and a take away.
Meanwhile, the ground floor windows of the hotel where the celebrities and dancers were staying were obscured with special film so the public couldn’t see inside.
The DJ who was laid on at the bar was also hurriedly asked to step down before the guests returned in a bid to keep noise to a minimum.
An insider said: “The BBC were clearly concerned that being seen to throw a big shindig following the events of recent months would be a bad move.
“Particularly as many of the claims were about bad behaviour between pros and celebrities taking place in behind-the-scenes scenarios.
“So officially no Strictly knees-up happened at Blackpool, it was just a large group of people from the show, drinking and socialising with alcohol into the small hours.”
A BBC spokeswoman confirmed: “For the avoidance of doubt, there was no party after the show.”
But they also admitted that the many guests returning from the Blackpool Tower had full access to the large bar in the 144-room hotel.
Strictly was rocked this year when it was alleged Giovanni Pernice had acted inappropriately towards his then celeb partner Amanda Abbington.
An investigation by the BBC upheld some of the complaints, but dismissed the more serious allegations of physical abuse.
Strictly also sacked Graziano di Prima after video footage was revealed which showed him kicking his 2023 partner, Zara McDermott, during rehearsals.
This series, the show was also rocked by complaints about “gropegate” where singer Wynne Evans was seen to slide his hand across the stomach of his pro partner, Katya Jones, prompting a backlash among viewers.