Laura Whitmore has broken her silence on former Strictly Come Dancing partner Giovanni Pernice (Image: BBC)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’s ex-Strictly Come Dancing partner Laura Whitmore has finally spoken out following the conclusion of the Amanda Abbington inquiry. On Sunday evening, Giovanni, who had been a part of Strictly Come Dancing for nearly ten years before stepping down, spoke up after being cleared of any physical abuse accusations from his time on the show. The Italian pro dancer took to Instagram to express relief that the ordeal was over. In a video he posted, the 34 year old shared that the past half-year had been challenging as he chose not to comment “because I wanted to keep the confidentiality and privacy of the review”. After a lengthy six-month probe into Amanda’s complaints, the outcome was that Giovanni was not guilty of any physical mistreatment.
The report revealed that Giovanni was not guilty of any physical mistreatment towards Amanda Abbington
(Image: BBC)
Nonetheless, Amanda’s grievances concerning verbal mistreatment and harassment were recognised as valid. Out of 16 total allegations levelled at Giovanni, six were confirmed, reports the Mirror. Among these were instances where Giovanni’s language included swearing. The report noted that his choice of words could sometimes come off as ‘belittling’ to his dance partner. Now, Laura Whitmore, who partnered with Giovanni during her time on Strictly in 2016, has ended her silence. Laura, best known for her former role as Love Island host, was among those who contributed to the BBC’s inquiry, citing Giovanni’s ‘inappropriate’ conduct during their stint together on the show. Laura alleged that she first voiced her worries in 2016 and, by August 2024, had accused the BBC of ‘gaslighting’ her regarding her experiences with the Italian choreographer. After the investigation findings were released, Laura took to her Instagram stories and stated: “I hope this helps people realise they should not be subjected to abusive behaviour in the workplace. “Things can be twisted online and there’s so much more to this but in black and white there were complaints upheld and an apology made. And the perpetrator no longer works for the channel.”
Laura appeared on Strictly in 2016 where she was partnered with Giovanni
(Image: BBC)
Laura took to Instagram with a statement on the Giovanni report
(Image: Instagram/Laura Whitmore)
Sign up to OK’s TV newsletter to get updates sent to your inbox for free Earlier this year, when Amanda shared her claims against Giovanni, Laura promptly stepped up, backing the Sherlock actress by disclosing her ‘own experience’. She turned to Instagram at the time, detailing her period on the show teamed up with Giovanni. Her extensive Instagram update read: “I was trying not to comment on recent press speculation until the BBC review is complete but feel there is a lot of misinformation in the press and I want to help and show support by setting the record straight. “I was asked to speak to the BBC along with six people that I know of (who deserve anonymity as they don’t want to be dragged through the press), about inappropriate behaviour they experienced similar to mine with the same individual. “I initially raised concerns back in 2016. I thought my experience was specific to me but I’ve since learned I was wrong. The aim of this is to show a pattern of behaviour that I believe needs to stop. My evidence is to support other people’s experience. It’s a shame it takes this for someone to be heard.” The former Love Island host continued: “I am not looking for anything just an acceptance that what happened to me in the rehearsal rooms during my time on BBC Strictly was wrong and that it won’t happen to anyone else again.
Laura took to Instagram to break her silence following the report on Giovanni
(Image: Getty Images)
“Because I have not made an official complaint, and am providing evidence of my experience to support the investigation, not all the communication will be passed on to all parties involved. “Misinformation is being put into the press so I want to set the record straight. Victim blaming must stop or we will never get better. I’ve tried to speak up in the correct way. I know the BBC and all outlets continue to do their best to be better, but for that to happen we must speak up.” Following the investigation’s conclusion, Amanda released her own statement. She recounted how she has been labelled “being a liar, a troublemaker and of being ‘mad and unstable'” since she lodged the complaints a year ago. She also disclosed: “I’ve also received rape and murder threats. My family and children have been subjected to threats and intimidation. “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 also a vindication for the others who have contacted me to express concerns about their own experiences on Strictly.
Amanda Abbington said she ‘never regretted coming forward’
(Image: Getty Images)
“I hope those who have felt unable to speak out will now be more confident that they will be believed. The BBC has invited me to meet with senior management and this is something I will now be considering. 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 is that lessons have been learned and the BBC makes the promised changes, to ensure others don’t experience the same ordeal.” In light of the investigation’s results, the BBC extended an apology to Amanda, acknowledging it substantiated “some, but not all, of the complaints made”.Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnGiovanni PerniceLaura WhitmoreStrictly Come DancingAmanda Abbington