Shayne Ward has lifted the lid on working with the newly-introduced chaperones on Strictly Come Dancing, amid the ongoing bullying and abuse allegations that have engulfed the show.

The Coronation Street star, 39, shared insight into the BBC’s new duty of care protocols, as the celebrities and pros prepare for the 20th series, which kicks off on September 14.

Detailing how chaperones have been present during the training sessions, Shayne told MailOnline: ‘You can’t see them, but they’re there. If you ever need them, just call and they’re there.’

‘If you need that duty of care or if you feel like you need anything, something on your mind or worried about anything, or just have a chat, they’re there.’

The singer added: ‘They’re not on your shoulder, just sat away in a corner.’

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Shayne Ward has lifted the lid on working with the newly-introduced chaperones on Strictly Come Dancing, amid the ongoing bullying and abuse allegations that have engulfed the show

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The Coronation Street star, 39, shared insight into the BBC’s new duty of care protocols, as the celebrities and pros prepare for the 20th series, which kicks off on September 14

In July BBC bosses announced plans to introduce chaperones during training in all future rehearsals to ‘strengthen welfare and support on Strictly Come Dancing’.

It came along with the appointment of also two new welfare producers, after Graziano Di Prima’s shock sacking from the show.

A statement from the corporation said: ‘Concerns that have arisen in recent months have been fundamentally about training and rehearsals. The actions we announce today are designed to address that.’

The new measures include a member of the production team being present during training room rehearsals at all times, and increased support for both celebrity contestants and the professional dancers.

A Celebrity Welfare Producer and a Professional Dancer Welfare Producer have both been appointed to fulfil these added duties, and further training will also be delivered for the production team and crew.

Kate Phillips, BBC’s Director of Unscripted, said: ‘Whilst we know our shows have been positive experiences for the vast majority of those who have taken part, if issues are raised with us, or we’re made aware of inappropriate behaviour, we will always take that seriously and act.

‘Concerns that have arisen have been fundamentally related to training and rehearsals. The decisive steps we have taken and are announced today, act to further strengthen the welfare and support in place for everyone involved with this production.’

It comes after the dancing contest has been plunged into chaos in recent months as a number of allegations of abuse from professionals have come to light – as both pro dancers Graziano Di Prima and Giovanni Pernice both being accused of misconduct.

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‘If you need that duty of care or if you feel like you need anything, something on your mind or worried about anything, or just have a chat, they’re there,’ the singer told MailOnline

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In July BBC bosses announced plans to introduce chaperones during training in all future rehearsals as well as two new welfare producers, after Graziano Di Prima’s shock sacking from the show (Graziano and Zara McDermott pictured on last year’s series)

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It comes after the dancing contest has been plunged into chaos as a number of allegations of abuse from professionals have come to light – as both pro dancers Giovanni Pernice (pictured) and Graziano both being accused of misconduct

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Giovanni, 33, was suspended while a BBC probe is conducted over claims of off-camera misconduct made by Amanda Abbington, 50, and two other former celeb partners (pictured together on the show)

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Meanwhile Graziano, 30, was axed from the show in July over reports he verbally and physically abused his celebrity partner Zara McDermott, 27, during last year’s series (pictured together on the show)

Giovanni, 33, was suspended while a BBC probe is conducted over claims of off-camera misconduct made by Amanda Abbington, 50, and two other former celeb partners.

Meanwhile Graziano, 30, was axed from the show in July over reports he verbally and physically abused his celebrity partner Zara McDermott, 27, during last year’s series.

Adding further tension as the beginning of a fresh season looms in, it also emerged that cast and crew were reportedly furious over the return of professional dancer Aljaž Škorjanec, as it’s claimed he was involved in backstage row with a female dancer.

The Slovenian dancer, 34, is set to return to the BBC show for its new series, two years after an altercation on the 2022 live tour, according to The Sun.

Two years after his exit, it’s reported that Aljez departed the show after an alleged ‘shocking’ incident with a fellow female professional dancer on the nationwide tour.

The decision to bring back the star to the BBC show has reportedly raised eyebrows, especially given a string of scandals that have beset the show in recent weeks.

A source told the publication: ‘Has the BBC learned nothing from the past ten months?

Amid ongoing furore around the behaviour of its male pros, they actively recruited a dancer who left under a cloud.

‘Aljaž was touted as an unproblematic, returning legend but that couldn’t be further from the truth.’

The source claimed the crew and cast were ‘relieved’ to see his departure two years ago and are now ‘aghast’ to see him back on the show

They revealed he allegedly got ‘very drunk’ on a night out on tour two years ago which led him being involved in a ‘very serious, pretty shocking altercation’ with a female.

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It’s also reported that cast and crew were furious over the return of professional dancer Aljaž Škorjanec, amid claims he was involved in a backstage row with a female dancer

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The Slovenian dancer is set to return to the BBC show for its new series, two years after an altercation on the 2022 live tour (pictured with celebrity partner Sara Davies in 2021)

The incident was said to have made the female dancer feel ‘deeply uncomfortable’.

Aljaž’s scene has been reportedly discussed backstage at length since and the decision to bring him back has ‘baffled’ the crew.

‘Execs would have to be living in a cave not to have heard the rumours’, the source added.

According to the publication, the BBC denied an official complaint was made over the incident, and it had been previously stated that Aljaz left of his own accord.

The BBC declined to comment when contacted by MailOnline, and told The Sun that they did not recognise the claims against Aljaz.

MailOnline has reached out to Aljaž’s representatives for a comment.