Amanda Abbington has revealed that six other people have complained about Giovanni on the show (Image: Channel 4)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 NoticeAmanda Abbington has alleged that several fellow Strictly Come Dancing stars lodged complaints prior to her first television interview regarding the Giovanni Pernice controversy. The 50 year old actress, who participated in the previous year’s iteration of the renowned dance competition, unexpectedly exited before the series concluded. Following an issue raised about her professional partner, which sparked a BBC investigation, Amanda has now divulged that she was not alone in voicing concerns. Earlier this year, Giovanni withdrew from the dancing programme. In a revealing chat with Krishnan Guru-Murthy on Channel 4 news, Amanda shared: “I know a lot of people went in to speak to them. I’m the official complainer. I think there’s about five or six (other complainants) from what I can gather, but there’s three main people, who’ve made complaints, mine’s the official one.”
Amanda Abbington opened up about her time on Strictly Come Dancing – revealing that producers were “horrified” by footage of her rehearsals
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Amanda pursued formal action against the BBC, sharing her ordeal of enduring five weeks of unwanted behaviour, resulting in her departure after being diagnosed with PTSD. Post revelation, Amanda disclosed suffering through “rape threats to myself and my daughter and threats of death to my son” following her decision to go public with her grievances, reports the Mirror. She expressed, “It’s been brutal and relentless and unforgiving.” A spokesperson for the BBC remarked, “Anyone involved in a complaint has a right to confidentiality and fair process and therefore it would be inappropriate to comment further on individuals. However, when issues are raised with us we always take them extremely seriously and have appropriate processes in place to manage this. As we have said before, we would urge people not to indulge in speculation.” They emphasized that both the BBC and BBC Studios hold their duty of care in high regard, regularly reviewing and updating processes on shows like Strictly Come Dancing and stating, “We would urge people not to indulge in speculation.” Continuing on duty of care, the spokesperson highlighted, “More generally, the BBC and BBC Studios takes duty of care extremely seriously. Our processes on Strictly Come Dancing are updated every year, they are kept under constant review and last week we announced additional steps to further strengthen welfare and support on the show.”
Amanda took part in Strictly Come Dancing with Giovanni Pernice last year
(Image: PA)
In response, Giovanni Pernice’s rep said, “We are cooperating fully with the BBC’s review process. All parties have been asked to respect this process and to not speak to the media before it concludes. We will continue to respect the integrity of the investigation and believe it is the right forum for all the evidence to be reviewed.” They also addressed specific allegations, saying, “As part of the evidence-led review, the BBC has shared the allegations they have been able to substantiate with us. They do not resemble Amanda’s latest allegations, given to Channel 4, in any shape or form. Giovanni refutes any claim of threatening or abusive behaviour, and having provided the BBC with his evidence, is confident that the review will prove this.” Amanda also shared that she and her legal team are trying to gain access to 50 hours of rehearsal footage, which was filmed after she voiced her initial concerns to the BBC bosses. She told Guru-Murthy: “There’s 50 hours of footage that’s being blocked. You know, 50 hours is a lot of footage, and a lot of time spent in a room that was toxic.”
Amanda Abbington has claimed that the BBC has provided aftercare since her complaint
“In the first week, I raised my concerns to the producers. Giovanni claimed that he asked for the cameras, but I know he didn’t because the producers approached me and said, ‘we’re going to install cameras so we can review the footage at the end of the week and assess what’s happening’.” The next series of the show is due to kick off next month with new safety measures in place. On July 16, the BBC announced it would introduce measures to “strengthen welfare and support” on the show, including a chaperone who will be present “at all times” during training room rehearsals. A BBC spokesperson told OK!: “Anyone involved in a complaint has a right to confidentiality and fair process and therefore it would be inappropriate to comment further on individuals. However, when issues are raised with us we always take them extremely seriously and have appropriate processes in place to manage this. As we have said before, we would urge people not to indulge in speculation. “More generally, the BBC and BBC Studios takes duty of care extremely seriously. Our processes on Strictly Come Dancing are updated every year, they are kept under constant review and last week we announced additional steps to further strengthen welfare and support on the show. “Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnGiovanni PerniceStrictly Come Dancing
