Michael Barrymore hints Dancing on Ice could become next TV show embroiled in misconduct scandal after 'witnessing abuse worse than Strictly' - as ITV hits back at 'unsubstantiated claims'

Michael Barrymore has dramatically accused ITV producers behind Dancing on Ice of 'abuse' in the wake of the Strictly Come Dancing misconduct scandal. 

The former TV star, 72, lashed out in a blistering post on social media today - prompting a response from ITV, which rubbished his 'unsubstantiated' claims as the broadcaster insisted the welfare of stars on the show was its 'top priority'.

His comments come amid a scandal plaguing the BBC's rival show, Strictly Come Dancing, which has seen the broadcaster axing or suspending a number of professional dancers as part of a misconduct probe. 

Now Barrymore - who was forced to pull out of Dancing on Ice in December 2019 after breaking his wrist - claimed the 'abuse he witnessed' on the ITV show was 'worse' than the claims against Strictly. 

Posting on X, Barrymore wrote: 'I find it bewildering that BBC’s #strictly is the only production under fire this week when ITV’s Dancing On Ice treated their celebrities and dancers exactly the same - if not worse. Even I witnessed abuse from producers at @ITV and I had a very short stint with them…'

But ITV has today hit back today and insisted its stars were looked after while taking part in the programme.

Reacting to Barrymore's comments, an ITV spokesman told MailOnline: 'We do not recognise these unsubstantiated claims. 

'Michael was unable to participate in the live shows for Dancing on Ice owing to an injury sustained in training. 

'This training takes place in public ice skating rinks, where skating marshalls or rink guards are present, or at the show’s filming studio in Bovingdon, under the supervision of the production crew. 

'Additionally, independent skating coaches are often present overseeing training sessions. We have always been very transparent about our welfare processes and are fully committed towards supporting cast and crew on our production. This is always the top priority.'

Speaking to This Morning after leaving the show, Barrymore claimed he 'loved every single second' of his time on Dancing on Ice. 

Wearing a cast on his wrist, he told former presenters Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby - who also hosted the hit ice skating show: 'It was an amazing experience.'

Barrymore's accusations come as the BBC continues to deal with the fallout of a misconduct scandal behind the scenes of Strictly Come Dancing. 

Professional dancer Graziano Di Prima, 30, was axed from the show last week after he was accused of 'hitting and kicking' his celebrity partner Zara McDermott, 27, during rehearsals.

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

Amanda will soon learn the ruling of the investigation she triggered after complaining her Strictly partner Giovanni bullied her in training.

But regardless of the outcome, bosses are said to be furious at the actress, who they now believe is encouraging other former contestants to engage with her lawyers over their time on the programme.

In recent weeks, they think she has been urging competitors who have taken part in Strictly over the years to speak to London-based law firm Carter-Ruck in a bid to find others with allegations of a toxic environment on the show.

One BBC insider said: 'Amanda seems to be stopping at nothing to make sure that a dark cloud is left over Strictly.

'She seems to have a real issue with the show. She has been open about not enjoying her time, but why spoil it for everyone else?

'It's not looking like there is a smoking gun in her complaint about Giovanni, so now she is getting others to come forward and then later it appears in the Press so the row keeps going and going.'

Amanda is understood to have contacted actress Laila Rouass to encourage her to speak to her lawyers following an incident in 2009 when her partner Anton Du Beke, now a judge on the show, described her as 'looking like a p***' after she had a spray tan.

Strictly staff are outraged and say that much of the behaviour that is not as serious as Graziano hitting and kicking Zara also risks diluting actual complaints.

One said: 'How is Amanda whipping up incidents of a few raised voices or something that happened 15 years ago helping the real issues of bullying?'

Meanwhile, the Mail recently revealed that those aware of the details of the evidence-led probe into Mr Pernice say they believe the allegations are unlikely to be found proven.

It paves the way for the professional dancer, who has strongly denied any misconduct towards Ms Abbington, to be cleared three months after the inquiry began.

With judgement said to be just days away, Ms Abbington took the unusual step of speaking to The Sun on Sunday regarding Mr Pernice's alleged behaviour.

Her critics believe that she did the interview 'to once again damage' the Italian dancer as he is widely expected to be cleared of bullying her.