Strictly Come Dancing chaos as pro quits rehearsals and stars struggle to train in intense heat
It came as extra security has been drafted in for training amid recent claims of ex-strictly contestants
STRICTLY Come Dancing rehearsals have been thrown into chaos courtesy of the sizzling temperatures in the UK capital.
The BBC show’s professionals were captured looking exhausted outside their London training venue – with four air conditioning units being wheeled in to cool things down on Monday.
Karen Hauer, who wore all-black, told her Instagram fans she was: “Leaving rehearsals like… so darn hot!”
She was struggling to combine their intense routines with the searing summer heat alongside Luba Mushtuk and Nikita Kuzmin.
Fellow Strictly dancers Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Kai Widdrington and Lauren Oakley were also seen taking a cooling break outside.
Jowita – who was seen looking cheery in rehearsals with TOWIE’s Pete Wicks last week – covered up from the direct sunlight with a bandana.
Luba donned a black crop top and leggings for her day of training, which came after she was seen practising with DIY SOS star Nick Knowles.
Inside the venue, Gorka Marquez was seen topless as he perched on a stage.
The bunch had gathered to celebrate backing dancer Joshua Keefe’s birthday, with Lauren then filmed presenting him with a Colin Caterpillar cake.
They all looked glad of the break as they stuck it out in the sweaty venue.
Strictly’s 2024 celebrity lineup has now been confirmed – yet it is unclear which pro is paired with which famous face.
They looked upbeat as they began rehearsals last month.
Meanwhile, show bosses have made sure the dance experts also have access to extra security during their training.
The Sun exclusively told how the move had reassured dancers “worried about the backlash” over the recent show scandals.
Insiders told The Sun how Katya Jones was among the professionals who were pleased to see the hired heavies on hand at the dance studio in London, revealing she was “worried.”
A source told us at the time: “The BBC clearly didn’t want to take any chances though and had security there with them.
Who's confirmed for Strictly 2024?
WITH Strictly's 20th anniversary special airing in September, The Sun takes a look at which celebs have been confirmed for the new series:
- EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick.
- Athlete Tom Dean is is a three-time Olympic champion.
- X Factor winner and former Corrie star Shayne Ward.
- Miranda star Sarah Hadland.
- Gladiators star Montell Douglas AKA Fire.
- Football pundit Paul Merson.
- DIY SOS sat Nick Knowles.
- Olympic hero Sam Quek.
- Towie legend Pete Wicks.
- Love Island star Tasha Ghouri.
- Morning Live star Dr Punam Krishan.
- 80s legend and singer Toyah Willcox.
- Opera singer Wynne Evans.
- JLS singer JB Gill.
- Comedian Chris McCausland.
“They kept a low-key presence but were keeping an eye out.
“Katya remarked that she was pleased they were there because she had been worried about a possible backlash.
“It has been a difficult time for many of the professional dancers recently.
“There has been a lot of uncertainty and coming together as a group has been great for team unity.”
This summer Strictly pro Graziano Di Prima, 30, was fired by the BBC following claims he hit, spat at and kicked former celebrity partner Zara McDermott, 27, during rehearsals.
Graziano, who started his Strictly journey in 2018, was accused of “physical incidents” towards the Love Island alumni.
The allegations against Graziano came to light during the inquiry into claims that Strictly pro-Giovanni Pernice, 33, bullied his celebrity partner Amanda Abbington, 50, on the last series – which he has strenuously denied.
Despite the bolstering of security, the team were then still subject to a terrifying intruder “scare”.
