Note: The following article contains discussion of rape and sexual misconduct allegations.
A star from Strictly Come Dancing has been arrested on suspicion of rape, Hertfordshire Police has confirmed. The unnamed individual has been released on bail, though the investigation continues.
As per The Sun, the man is alleged to have raped a woman following a BBC event, with the pair meeting due to his participation in the long-running BBC reality series. It is understood that the allegation is not related to the current season of the show.
The publication states that the woman was neither a contestant nor a professional dancer on the series, with the alleged incident said to have taken place in 2024.
"A man was released on police bail under investigation having been arrested in London on Monday 13 October on suspicion of rape," said Hertfordshire Police in a statement (via BBC News).
"Meanwhile, inquiries by officers from Hertfordshire Constabulary's Public Protection team will continue. Given the nature of the allegations, it would be inappropriate to make any further comment at this time."
The BBC also released a statement in response to the development, with a spokesperson telling BBC News: "It would not be appropriate to comment on an ongoing police investigation."
The news comes just under three months after a separate star from the series was arrested following allegations of rape and intimate image abuse, with Hertfordshire Police also handling that investigation.
"On Friday August 22, officers arrested a man on suspicion of rape and non-consensual intimate image abuse," read a statement regarding the previous allegation.
"This is a joint investigation with Hertfordshire Constabulary and while the investigation is in its early stages, we urge anyone with any information to come forward to us."
Related: Strictly Come Dancing announces brand new challenge for the next live show – here's how it will work
A spokesperson for the BBC also released a statement for this inquiry, telling Digital Spy: "It would not be appropriate to comment on an ongoing police investigation."
The BBC series, which debuted in 2004, is currently in the middle of its 23rd season, with the remaining contestants set to take to the dancefloor at the iconic Tower Ballroom in Blackpool during Saturday's (22 November) episode.
If you've been affected by the issues raised in this story, you can access more information from Rape Crisis England and Wales, which works towards the elimination of all forms of sexual violence and sexual misconduct, on its website or by calling the National Rape Crisis Helpline on 0808 802 9999. Rape Crisis Scotland’s helpline number is 08088 01 03 02.
Readers in the US are encouraged to contact RAINN, or the National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800-656-4673.
Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in Movies and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media. His film tastes vary from blockbusters like Mission: Impossible and John Wick to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.
