Giovanni and Amanda Abbington were partnered together on Strictly Come Dancing last year (Image: Ray Burniston/BBC/PA Wire)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 NoticeThe BBC has apologised to former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Amanda Abbington, saying it had assessed and “upheld some, but not all” of her complaints about Giovanni Pernice’s behaviour during her time on the show. The findings of the investigation into alleged misconduct by the former Strictly dancer, 33, were released today. After an investigation lasting six months following Amanda’s claims, there were no findings relating to physical aggression, but complaints of verbal bullying and harassment were upheld, the report today confirmed. Sherlock actress Amanda pulled out of the BBC One show last year citing “personal reasons”, later claimed she was subject to a “toxic environment” and “inappropriate, mean, nasty bullying”.
The BBC said it had assessed and “upheld some, but not all” of Amanda Abbington’s complaints about Giovanni Pernice’s behaviour during her time on the show
(Image: (Image: BBC))
The review into Amanda’s complaints about Giovanni was launched earlier this year. Giovanni, who is not part of this year’s Strictly professional dancing line-up and has since joined the Italian version of the dance show, previously rejected “any claim of threatening or abusive behaviour”. In a statement, the broadcaster said: “The BBC has now concluded its review into the complaints made by Amanda Abbington against Giovanni Pernice. We take any allegations of bullying and harassment very seriously and this review has taken time due to its complex nature and our desire to ensure a rigorous and robust process was undertaken. “Strictly Come Dancing is a family show and we rightly expect very high standards. While competition can be tough, rigorous and demanding, we want the show to ultimately be a joyous and transformative experience. It is a great shame if this hasn’t been the case for everyone who has appeared on the show.
Amanda Abbington pulled out of the BBC One show last year citing “personal reasons” and later claimed she was subject to a “toxic environment” and “inappropriate, mean, nasty bullying”
(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
“We have assessed the complaints and we have upheld some, but not all, of the complaints made. We want to apologise to Amanda Abbington and to thank her for coming forward and taking part. We know this would not have been an easy thing to do.” A statement from the BBC about Strictly Come Dancing continued: “At the time, although the production team took steps to address the issues as they understood them, ultimately these were not enough. “This is why the measures we have taken to further strengthen our existing protocols are so important. “The BBC heard from a number of individuals in making its findings. We want to thank them for participating. “The BBC has already taken extensive steps to enhance our duty of care for everyone on the show and a full note of these steps is published alongside this statement”. In a written statement responding to the BBC’s Strictly report, Amanda said: “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”. 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.
The review into Amanda’s complaints about her Strictly professional dance partner Giovanni was launched earlier this year
(Image: PA)
“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. 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. “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.” In a written statement, a spokesperson for Giovanni said: “We are pleased that this six-month review has not found any evidence of threatening or abusive behaviour by Giovanni. “Giovanni 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.” Strictly returned on September 14 for its 20th anniversary with a new cast of celebrities, and some changes including having chaperones present “at all times” during rehearsals.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
