EXCLUSIVEIs this Strictly's #MeToo? Male professional dancers are reportedly 'very concerned' about how recent abuse allegations could impact them

The Strictly Come Dancing crisis has deepened in recent days, with other male dancers now expressing concerns about how they could be impacted.

Graziano Di Prima, 30, was axed from the upcoming series over reports he verbally and physically abused his celebrity partner Zara McDermott, 27, during last year's competition.

This came after Giovanni Pernice, 33, was suspended from the show last month over claims of off-camera misconduct - which he denies - made by Amanda Abbington, 50, and two other former celeb partners. 

It's now been revealed that the allegations have left some male professionals from the BBC show concerned about how or if they will be affected. 

A source told MailOnline on Thursday that the male dancers are 'very concerned and worried how this is going to affect them' and are said to be 'feeling like it's the new #MeToo'. 

Giovanni Pernice
Graziano Di Prima

The Strictly Come Dancing crisis has deepened in recent days, with it revealed on Thursday that other male dancers now expressing concerns about how they could be impacted (Pictured are Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima)

MailOnline has contacted the BBC for comment. 

Richard Madeley weighed in on the scandals on Thursday, admitting he wasn't surprised by the allegations. 

Hosting Good Morning Britain alongside Charlotte Hawkins, Richard confessed he knows lots of people who have been involved in the hit dance show and they have been talking about these issues for years. 

'I have to say the people that I know involved in that programme all talk about these issues and they say they've all known for years and years and years but the lid has been kept on it and now that lid is coming off,' he said.   

On Tuesday night it was revealed that a third professional dancer on the show has been named as a 'person of interest' in the wake of the abuse and bullying allegations. 

It was said that the name had been given to Carter-Ruck, the law firm representing Amanda Abbington. 

Little more is known about the person's identity, and the BBC are said to be unaware of who or what they are accused of. 

Strictly sources say that they suspect that the story is being 'whipped up' by former Sherlock star Ms Abbington who is awaiting the outcome of an internal investigation by the BBC after accusing her partner Giovanni Pernice of bullying her during rehearsals.

Graziano was  sacked after five years on Strictly in the wake of claims that he hit and kicked his celebrity partner Zara McDermott

Graziano was  sacked after five years on Strictly in the wake of claims that he hit and kicked his celebrity partner Zara McDermott

The scandal came on the heels of Amanda Abbington's allegations that Giovanni Pernice bullied her during rehearsals

The scandal came on the heels of Amanda Abbington's allegations that Giovanni Pernice bullied her during rehearsals

There have also been accusations of a massive cover-up by the BBC over claims crew members complained about Graziano's behaviour during the series but no action was taken. 

Insiders have told The Sun that it is 'becoming clear is that there appears to be a more widespread issue over the conduct of some of the professionals in training.'

'The more people who come forward, the clearer the picture is becoming.' 

Then on Wednesday the scandal deepened after unearthed footage revealed former professional dancer James Jordan telling his partner he would 'drag her across the floor and scream at her' if she forgot her moves. 

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

He also says to her 'kill you' as he demands she stands on one leg and insists that unless she has physically broken a rib he doesn't care what pain she is in. He is also seen throwing a chair across the training studio. 

James, who left Strictly in 2012 after appearing on eight series, also banned Georgina, who formerly starred on BBC medical drama Casualty, from eating sweets and chocolate and would only allow her to buy pineapple and ham when they visited a supermarket together.

Former Strictly Come Dancing professional James Jordan has furiously hit back after unearthed footage emerged of him telling his partner he would 'drag her across the floor and scream at her' if she forgot her moves

Former Strictly Come Dancing professional James Jordan has furiously hit back after unearthed footage emerged of him telling his partner he would 'drag her across the floor and scream at her' if she forgot her moves 

However James has furiously hit back after the clip from Strictly's spin-off show It Takes Two resurfaced. 

The ballroom dancer and choreographer, 46, has slammed the BBC saying most of the footage 'was not related to Georgina at all'.

Sharing a raging statement on Instagram he said that the footage was 'edited for entertainment' and was 'highly produced and exaggerated'.

He said there 'is no comparison to be drawn between those awful allegations and the VT' - while insisting none of his celebrity partners ever complained about him during his eight years on the show.