Anton Du Beke is fourth BBC Strictly Come Dancing star at centre of ...

Strictly judge Anton Du Beke has been dragged into a legal probe into "serious misconduct" on the BBC show.

The TV favourite, 57, has been named to lawyers Carter Ruck by former partner Laila Rouass, who he was paired with in 2009 while still a pro dancer. And sources confirmed their team are considering making an official complaint to the BBC in the coming days.

It is understood Laila's complaint to lawyers focuses on a remark made by the star, in which he commented that the star looked like "a P*ki" after a spray tan. He later apologised for the inappropriate jibe.

Du Beke said at the time: "I must say immediately and categorically that I am not a racist and that I do not use racist language. During the course of rehearsals Laila and I have exchanged a great deal of banter entirely in jest, and two weeks ago there was an occasion when this term was used between the two of us. There was no racist intent whatsoever but I accept that it is a term which causes offence and I regret my use of it, which was done without thought or consideration of how others would react. I apologise unreservedly for any offence my actions might have caused."

Rouass, who has an Indian mother and Moroccan father, accepted his apology. "It was a situation which happened that we have moved on from and I accept his apology," she said.

But his involvement in the probe will intensify pressure on the BBC, who have seen their flagship entertainment show come under scrutiny after Amanda Abbington revealed she had suffered PTSD after taking part with Giovanni Pernice.

She was joined by at least two other celebrities who took their complaints about the dancer, who has now quit, to Carter Ruck.

And the legal war prompted the BBC to launch their own investigation.

Last week, a second pro dancer, Graziano Di Prima, was sacked after bosses were made aware of a video in which he was seen kicking his partner. Days later a third star was identified as a "person of interest" to Carter Ruck.

The man in question is no longer part of the Strictly line-up. This week also saw the BBC announce new measures to protect stars taking part in the competition. They include a production team member in rehearsal rooms at all times, and increased welfare support. A spokeswoman for Carter Ruck declined to comment. A source close to Anton said: "This matter was resolved at the time with the BBC."

A BBC spokesperson said: "We will not be commenting on individuals or engaging in speculation. However, as we have said previously we will always listen if people want to make us aware of something or raise it with us directly and we have appropriate procedures and processes in place to manage this.” A spokesperson for Laila did not respond to requests for comment.

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