Man arrested on suspicion of rape

An unnamed star from Strictly Come Dancing has been arrested on suspicion of rape.

The Metropolitan Police said the man, who was arrested on Friday, is also suspected of “non-consensual intimate image abuse”. He was released on bail on Saturday.

A BBC spokesperson told BBC News: “It would not be appropriate to comment on an ongoing police investigation.”

It is understood the development is not related to the upcoming series of Strictly, which starts in a few weeks and is currently in production.

It is not known what role the individual arrested had in the programme.

The Met statement said the arrest “follows a third-party ­allegation of sexual and drug-related offences”.

It added: “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 man has been bailed until a date in late November, the force said.

Strictly, which has aired since 2004 and is predominantly filmed at Elstree Studios, has faced multiple controversies over the past few years relating to the behaviour of some of its professionals and celebrity guests.

Separately, the BBC launched an investigation earlier this month into alleged drug use by two of the show’s stars, who have not been named.

Earlier this month, the Met said it was investigating allegations of drug use on the hit dance show.