Giovanni Pernice appeared on Lorraine for his first TV interview since the Strictly scandal (Image: ITV screengrab)Get daily celeb exclusives and behind the scenes house tours direct to your inboxMore Newsletters SubscribePlease enter a valid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.More NewslettersWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More infoThank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow me See OurPrivacy Notice See OurPrivacy Notice×Group 28 Get daily celeb exclusives and behind the scenes house tours direct to your inboxInvalid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.Sign UpNo thanks, closeWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info×Group 28Thank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow MeNo thanks, closeSee our
Privacy NoticeGiovanni Pernice returned to screens for his first TV interview since he faced numerous allegations from Amanda Abbington about his behaviour on Strictly and the results of a BBC investigation were released. The former Strictly Come Dancing star, 34, spoke about the scandal in-depth for the first time and admitted he was glad Amanda came forward to talk about her experience. On Tuesday, 22 October, the Italian pro dancer, 34, appeared on Lorraine, which was hosted by Christine Lampard in the absence of Lorraine Kelly. During their conversation, Giovanni spoke about the Strictly scandal and the allegations made against him, with the dancer being cleared of 10 out of the 16 claims against him. There were no findings relating to physical aggression, but complaints of verbal bullying and harassment were upheld, the PA news agency understands.
Giovanni addressed the Strictly probe while talking to Christine Lampard on Lorraine
(Image: ITV screengrab)
Opening up about the BBC investigation, Giovanni told Christine: “I agree with the BBC, it’s good that Amanda came forward to talk about something that happened. “It’s important if something doesn’t feel right, it’s important you talk to somebody, and I’m glad Amanda came forward. I was actually pleased when the whole thing finished, yes, it took longer than what it should have taken, but I’m glad at the end we have a report.” He continued: “I’m not against that the investigation started in the first place, because everybody, everybody if they’ve got a problem should go and talk to someone”, adding: “She did the right thing.”
Giovanni said, ‘I agree with the BBC, it’s good that Amanda came forward to talk about something that happened’
(Image: ITV screengrab)
Discussing the scandal further, Christine asked if there was anything he felt sorry for from what had unfolded in the last year. Giovanni replied: “The trolling thing and the messages was disgusting. I think nobody should do anything (like) this to even their worst enemy, absolutely. “So all these messages that she received talking about her daughter and son, threatening life whatever, it shouldn’t happen at all.” Amanda previously highlighted her difficult year in a candid interview with BBC Newsnight, revealing she received severe death threats after voicing her allegations.
Giovanni faced numerous allegations from Amanda Abbington from their time on Strictly Come Dancing
(Image: (Image: BBC))
Sign up to OK’s TV newsletter to get updates sent to your inbox for free When reflecting on the past year from his perspective, the Italian dancer told Christine: “It’s been a year of difficulty; it’s been difficult to read every day in the newspapers.” During the TV interview, Giovanni also praised Amanda for her talents on the Strictly show and said: “In my opinion, she was brilliant, she was unbelievable at dancing.” Giovanni’s appearance on Lorraine marks a huge TV comeback following the controversy that prompted his departure from Strictly Come Dancing. The Italian dancer faced numerous accusations from the Sherlock star, who he was partnered with on the BBC One dance competition last year. Amanda exited the show after a brief stint, citing health issues, but it later came to light that she had left due to alleged abusive behaviour from Giovanni during their practice sessions. A BBC investigation into the allegations concluded last month, with Giovanni being exonerated of 10 out of the 16 claims against him. In response, the dancer expressed his relief that the charges of him being threatening and abusive “were found not to be true”. Amanda had accused Giovanni of creating a hostile environment in training, describing it as “an ongoing litany of being verbally abused”, and pointed out that there were aspects of the report that “are unresolved”.
Giovanni exited Strictly after Amanda accused him of abusive behaviour
(Image: BBC)
Giovanni is now taking part in the Italian version of Strictly, Ballando con le Stelle. But his appearance on Lorraine marked his first return to our UK screens since being axed from Strictly and his first TV interview since the allegations arose. During the interview with BBC Newsnight, Amanda revealed she had received severe death threats after voicing her allegations. She maintained her love for Strictly and stated: “I never wanted to cause trouble, I never wanted to bring down a show or ruin anybody’s career,” but felt compelled to speak up following her ordeal. “All I did was experience something in a workplace environment that was actually on a show run by a corporation that is owned by the public and I didn’t want anybody else to go through what I had gone through,” Amanda said, also mentioning that she reached out to Giovanni’s former celebrity partners and other Strictly participants, “to make sure we weren’t on our own thinking this had just happened to us”.Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnChristine LampardGiovanni PerniceLorraine
