BBC STUDIOS SUSPENDS VAL CHMERKOVSKIY FROM DANCING WITH THE STARS

BBC Studios has suspended Val Chmerkovskiy from the next episode of Dancing with the Stars over a social media post referencing Will Smith’s slap. The studio called the post “inappropriate” and said it fell short of the standards it expected from people connected with the programme. Chmerkovskiy said he had used a meme about keeping his wife’s name out of a conversation after comments involving her. He said he had failed to consider what the reference could imply and had never intended that implication.

A person familiar with the programme said judge Carrie Ann Inaba stood by comments she had made to Jenna and considered them constructive. The person said Chmerkovskiy initially repeated the joke before criticism grew and producers spoke to him. The person also said producers urged him to apologise and alleged that he did so to protect his job. Chmerkovskiy said his instinct had been to defend his wife, but he called his choice to use the meme a poor decision.

BBC Studios said the wellbeing of everyone working on Dancing with the Stars was “non-negotiable”. Chmerkovskiy said Inaba did not deserve to become involved because of his judgement. He said he did not want to distract from an important week or from the work of his dance partner, Jenna Dewan. He asked viewers to send Inaba, Dewan and the programme’s team support during Dedication Night, and said he would watch and cheer them on.