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Privacy NoticeAmanda Abbington has revealed the full extent of the terrifying death threats she received in a statement released after the publication of a BBC report that ruled that Giovanni Pernice did not behave “inappropriately” towards his Strictly Come Dancing partners, although the report did uphold some of her complaints. The Sherlock actress, who was partnered with Giovanni on last year’s series, issued a heartfelt statement, in which she explained that since deciding to come forward, she has been branded a “liar, a troublemaker” and even “mad and unstable”. “As the BBC has indicated today in its statement, my decision to come forward and complain about Giovanni Pernice’s conduct towards me was not an easy thing to do. In the days, weeks and months since I contacted the BBC, I’ve been accused of being a liar, a troublemaker and of being “mad and unstable”,” the statement said.
Giovanni Pernice and Amanda Abbington were partnered up together on last year’s Strictly Come Dancing
(Image: PA)
“I’ve also received rape and murder threats and a bomb threat was sent to my place of work. My family and children have also been subjected to threats and intimidation.” However, despite the “vile abuse” that she faced, the 50 year old added that she “never regretted” coming forward. With the BBC offering her an apology, Amanda explained that it had meant a “great deal” to her. “Despite this vile abuse, I’ve never regretted coming forward, and today’s apology from the BBC is a vindication of my complaint. It’s not just a vindication for me, it’s a vindication for the other people who have contacted me since I made my complaint to express concerns about their own experiences on Strictly Come Dancing.
Amanda said she’d “never regretted coming forward”
(Image: PA)
“I hope those who have felt unable to speak out now will be more confident that they will be listened to and believed. The BBC has invited me to meet with senior management and this is something I will now be considering.” She continued: “This apology means a great deal to me. So too does the fact that the BBC have acknowledged the steps that were put in place to support and protect me and past contestants were ‘not enough’. What matters most now is that lessons have been learned and that the BBC makes the changes they’ve promised, to ensure others don’t experience the same ordeal that I and others like me did.” Sign up to OK’s TV newsletter to get updates sent to your inbox for free
Amanda said the apology from the BBC meant a “great deal” to her
(Image: BBC/Ray Burmiston)
The actress made an early exit from last year’s Strictly in the fourth week, citing “medical” and “personal reasons” at the time. Amanda later came forward with allegations that described Giovanni’s conduct towards her as “inappropriate”, reports the Mirror. Giovanni strongly denied all claims against him. After a six month investigation following Amanda’s claims, there were no findings relating to physical aggression, although complaints of verbal bullying and harassment were upheld. Out of 17 allegations, they are thought to have upheld six, some of which involved Giovanni swearing. Following the publication of the findings, a spokesman for Giovanni explained that he is “relieved that the overwhelming majority of allegations out to the BBC have not been upheld and looks forward to continuing his work on Dancing With The Stars in Italy this season.”Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnStrictly Come DancingGiovanni PerniceAmanda Abbington
