AMANDA Abbington has revealed she held an emotional secret meeting with Giovanni Pernice’s former Strictly Come Dancing partners – as she made fresh allegations about the pro’s “sexual” gestures.
The actress, 50, appeared on Newsnight last night for her first interview since the findings of the BBC’s investigation into Giovanni’s behavior on Strictly were published.
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Amanda appeared on Newsnight last night for her first interview since the BBC revealed the findings of its investigation Credit: BBC
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Amanda made more bombastic claims about Gio during the interviewCredit: BBC
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But Giovanni quickly responded to the actressCredit: Instagram
During the sit-down, she accused the Italian dancer of “sexual allusions” and “sexual gestures” during rehearsals last year.
Speaking to Victoria Derbyshire, Amanda also revealed that she had met celebrities previously partnered with Gia, 34, and said: “We all cried, we all burst into tears”.
She continued: “We just wanted to make sure we weren’t alone in thinking this just happened to us.
“Everyone I spoke to said the same thing, it wasn’t comfortable and it wasn’t what everyone else was going through in the second [rehearsal] rooms.”
More on Strictly Come Dancing
The BBC apologized to Amanda after accepting six of the 17 complaints she made against Giovanni who later left the show.
He found instances where Giovanni used profanity and “disparaging” language and gave negative feedback.
However, the dancer did not abuse, threaten or intimidate Amanda, the report concluded.
The report also found two moments of “inappropriate sexually teasing behavior in the workplace”, but the incidents were made and accepted consensually as jokes, humor and compliments of Amanda’s dancing.
However, in an interview last night, Amanda said: “It was a non-stop litany of verbal abuse, sexual allusions, sexual gestures.
Strictly’s Giovanni Pernice has broken his silence after a BBC report confirmed SIX allegations of abuse against him
“There was a 35-minute rant at me, with him throwing his hands in the air and calling me names and how he couldn’t handle it anymore.
She continued: “If I did a dance step well, he would outline his erection in his pants and tell me that my dance move did it, because I did it well.”
A spokesman for Giovanni told The Sun: “It is disappointing that Ms Abbington knowingly misrepresented the outcome of the report to further damage Giovanni’s reputation.
“While Ms Abbington may not like the outcome of the six-month investigation, she should not seek to spread false and defamatory claims.”
Shirley Ballas broke her silence on Wednesday after the revelations came to light.
She told The Mirror on Wednesday: “I don’t condone bullying – I’ve been through it myself.
“So if things are wrong or need to be fixed, I sympathize with the person who wants it fixed.
“And I think that’s a big, important part — that everyone can have their say. But now the investigation is over and everyone can move on.”
Giovanni Pernice Strictly scandal timeline
October 2023: Amanda suddenly quits Strictly having already missed one live show. Her departure was announced in a vague BBC statement that ‘wishes her all the best’.
Giovanni posted a short message on social media addressing the departure, which read: “Amanda… I’m so sad that we can’t go on, but I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished and I’m sending you so much love.”
Amanda then shares her own farewell statement on Instagram, thanking her colleagues, but without mentioning Gio.
Giovanni’s dad Piero insists there were no signs of a fight and the pairing could have gone all the way. He praised his son as good and decent.
November 2023: Giovanni is said to be annoyed by the situation and is considering his Strictly future as questions are raised about his behaviour.
January 2024: Amanda’s PTSD diagnosis comes to light and she demands CCTV from the rehearsals to prove that Giovanni’s training methods were not acceptable.
The BBC has issued a statement defending its duty of care to contestants, insisting it takes any allegations of wrongdoing very seriously.
The corporation stands by its man after an emergency meeting
March 2024: Giovanni publicly states that he has no intention of leaving Strictly in a TV interview with close friend Anton du Beke.
Ranvir Singh and Laura Whitmore enter the picture. It is alleged that the two celebrities, who previously partnered with Giovanni on Strictly, did not feel that the BBC was taking their problems with his methods seriously enough.
The couple have a closed-door meeting with Amanda where tears are said to have been shed.
May 2024: We find that Giovanni is leaving the program after talking to show bosses
He leaves the country with girlfriend Molly Brown for a holiday
The BBC is launching an internal investigation after three complainants referred lawyers. A source describes it as a “nightmare situation”.
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