Peter Andre blasted after posting video of support for Strictly pros facing investigation

Peter Andrehas been slammed after coming to the defence of Strictly Come Dancing professionals.

The 51-year-old appeared on the long-running BBC series in 2015, where he was paired with Janette Manrara, although that season was eventually won by The Wanted’s Jay McGuiness and dancer Aliona Vilani.

Nearly a decade on, Peter has rushed to the defence of his former dance partner, as well as several others, including one who is currently under investigation.

Sharing a video on social media on Wednesday, Peter said it ‘wasn’t fair’ so many people’s names were getting dragged into the ongoing scandal engulfing the show, singling out Janette, 40, as well as Anton Du Beke, Aljaž Škorjanec and Giovanni Pernice.

‘You know what, I do feel as someone that was on Strictly, I should stick up for some of these people because I was there,’ he began.

‘And I know it was only one series that I was on but people like Janette Manrara who are the nicest, most beautiful people and they’re getting dragged into things like this.

‘Of course, if someone did something bad and someone hurt somebody, I can understand that, of course that’s unacceptable. ‘

He continued: ‘But because I was there and people like Giovanni, they were always a gentleman to me, and Anton – they were lovely to me and not just me, but the way I saw them with people.

‘And I think that when Janette’s name got dragged in too, I’m like come on guys she’s beautiful and Aljaž… I don’t know know.’

Peter concluded the video saying that ‘of course’ any misconduct had to be investigated, but he was worried at people’s names ‘being dragged in’ and he ‘just don’t think it’s fair’.

‘That’s just my personal opinion. I think that some of them just need to be cut a break.’

The performer and reality star captioned his post: ‘My thoughts on @bbcstrictly @jmanrara @aljazskorjanec @giovannipernice @mrantondubeke.

‘Although I don’t know what happens in everybody’s training room, I can only speak about what I saw and experienced.

‘It is however important that people speak up if they feel that something was wrong and important that they are heard. When Janette and others got dragged into it too, I couldn’t help but wonder if this is going too far before any investigation.’

A grateful Janette commented on Peter’s video, writing: ‘Love you so much.’

However, his post was flooded with criticism by many others.

‘Come on Pete don’t invalidate someone else’s experience by your nice experience! This is why people don’t speak up about their experiences. Not everyone has the same experiences. Let those who are investigating do their job. It’s good they are your friends but that doesn’t make them nice to everyone,’ Kim commented.

‘Ah this is not a good look. Nice that you had experience but that does not erase someone else negative experience, especially saying the person was always a good guy to you…’ Marianne shared.

‘I’m sorry but this…. this is exactly why women don’t come out and disclose what has happened to them. Fear of not being believed, belittled and other men saying, “they were always such a gentleman, there a good guy” yeah they were to you and that doesn’t stop them from not being different to someone else,’ Meg added.

The Strictly scandal first kicked off when Giovanni, 33, was suspended as the national broadcaster launched a probe after claims were made about his behaviour and conduct by former partners including Amanda Abbington, 50, who later called him ‘nasty’ and ‘cruel’. He has denied the claims.

Then, earlier this month, fellow Italian dancer Graziano Di Prima was axed from the show after claims he’d ‘kicked and hit’ Zara McDermott, 27, during rehearsals last year. He has since apologised.

Janette also found herself embroiled in the crisis after her former celeb partner Will Bayley revealed he couldn’t walk for six months after becoming injured on the show in 2019.

The Paralympian, 36, explained Janette had made him redo a jump from a table in studio rehearsals after saying his first was ‘rubbish’, causing his leg to ‘crack’ and a lifelong injury.

Although he called the incident ‘traumatic’, he didn’t blame Janette ‘at all’ and called her ‘so supportive, very professional and so talented’.