Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice on Strictly It Takes Two (Image: BBC)
previously came forward with scathing remarks about her former partner , labelling him “nasty and awful”. The Strictly sensation hsd been entangled in a web of controversy over allegations of “threatening and abusive” behaviour during training sessions, accusations he vehemently denied.
The , clearing Giovanni of almost all of the allegations made against him, but upheld some complaints of verbal abuse towards Amanda.
Earlier this year, after Giovanni’s team asked for recorded rehearsals over concerns about Amanda’s conduct, the actress refuted this in a conversation with Mail+, insisting: “I asked for them to be recorded, it was me. Giovanni is nasty. He was awful to a few of us, a group of u,” as reported by the Mirror.
Further opening up about the saga’s toll on her personal life, Amanda, at 55, revealed: “You don’t understand how awful this all is,” lamenting over the barrage of trolling instigated by Giovanni’s fans, leading to her exit from social media and disturbing death threats. “Giovanni’s fans have started trolling me now. I have had to come off social media and I’m getting death threats. All of this because I didn’t enjoy a television programme. I didn’t enjoy it because of all of this.”, reports .
Amanda Abbington branded Giovanni “nasty and awful” (Image: BBC/Ray Burmiston)
The ‘s statement on their investigation said: “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.”
The broadcaster added production team did take steps to address the issue at the time, but acknowledged that “ulitmately, these were not enough.”
They went on: “This is why the measures we have taken to further strengthen our existing protocols are so important.”
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 02: Amanda Abbington attends the press night after party for The Son at The Century Club on September 02, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Amanda has since broken her silence on the verdict, saying: “As the 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 , 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.
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“Despite this vile abuse, I’ve never regretted coming forward, and today’s apology from the 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 . I hope those who have felt unable to speak out now will be more confident that they will be listened to and believed. The 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 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 makes the changes they’ve promised, to ensure others don’t experience the same ordeal that I and others like me did.”
Strictly Come Dancing 2023,14-10-2023,TX4 – LIVE SHOW,Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice,BBC,Guy Levy (Image: BBC/Guy Levy)
Amid swirling rumours about his teaching tactics, Giovanni took to to thank his supporters and dismiss the claims against him. He penned: “To my dear fans, you will be as surprised as I am that allegations have been made about my dance teaching methods in the media this week. Of course, I reject any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour, and I look forward to clearing my name.”
He proceeded to expound on his devotion and determination within for the past ten years, emphasising: “Those who have followed my journey on over the last decade will know that I am passionate and competitive. No-one is more ambitious for my dance partners than me. I have always striven to help them be the very best dancers they can be. This has always come from a place of love and wanting to win for me and my dance partners. Thank you all once again for your continued love and support! Giovanni.”
The Mirror is seeking comments from Amanda’s team regarding these developments.