Strictly Come Dancing has been thrown into controversy once again after one of stars was arrested on suspicion of rape.
The man, who has not been named, was detained by police and questioned over the alleged offence, as well as a separate claim over "non-consensual intimate image abuse".
The investigation is not linked to anyone involved in the current series of the scandal-hit show - now in its 22nd season, The Sun on Sunday reports.
A Met spokesman told the newspaper: “On Friday, August 22, officers arrested a man on suspicion of rape and non-consensual intimate image abuse.
“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.
“The arrest follows a third party allegation of sexual and drug-related offences. Enquiries are ongoing.”
The alleged victim is being supported by specialist officers, the force added.
The arrest is the latest in long line of controversies to hit the BBC flagship entertainment show, which has recently been the centre of an investigation by the broadcaster into claims of cocaine use by two of its stars.
The Strictly stars were said to be “well known” cocaine users, with one of their colleagues allegedly telling a celebrity “have you seen their pupils... they’re off their face”.
“It’s a significant new development in the BBC’s recent string of crises that they have now got the police involved in investigating allegations surrounding Strictly,” a source told the Telegraph about the news.
“This is a very dramatic turn of events. Despite all the show and its team have been through over recent months, it’s hugely controversial that you’ve now got Scotland Yard detectives probing Strictly. This is their biggest prime-time family entertainment show, so it’s not a good look for the BBC.”
Reports in The Sun allege the pair’s drug use was discussed on the BBC dancing show, and said that the corporation had appointed law firm Pinsent Masons to lead the investigation.
According to reports, the allegations were made in a legal submission by law firm Russells in March on behalf of former contestant Wynne Evans, who was dropped by the BBC after apologising for using “inappropriate language” during the launch of the Strictly tour.
