The BBC apologized to Amanda Abbington yesterday after finally publishing the conclusions of its report into the allegations of severe bullying against Giovanni Pernice.
Actress Amanda, 50, is now set to sue the Beeb for lost earnings and damages.
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The BBC has apologized to Amanda Abbington after publishing the findings of its report into allegations of severe bullying against Giovanni Pernice.
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Amanda, 50, is now ready to sue the BBC for lost earnings and damages Credit: Channel 4
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The team for Gio, 34, believe he too has won after being cleared of most complaints Credit: Doug Seeburg/News Group Newspapers Ltd
She told The Sun: “I want to take time to consider the report in detail with my advisers before I decide what happens next.”
After months of speculation, Amanda saw this bombshell 30-page report as “vindication”.
The team for Italy’s Pro Gio, 34, believes he has also won after being cleared of most complaints.
An investigation found he used profanity and “disparaging” language and gave negative feedback.
Two moments of “inappropriate behavior of sexual teasing in the workplace” were also established.
One incident in which he grabbed his crotch and made an obscene gesture broke BBC guidelines.
Last night a source said: “Amanda is delighted and relieved and feels her decision to speak up and complain has been rewarded.
“He hopes that now other celebrities might come forward, knowing for sure that they too will be listened to.
“She has been through hell and lost her job as a result of going public, and is considering taking further action against the BBC for damages and loss of earnings.
“Amanda has suffered greatly, has been officially diagnosed with PTSD and believes the BBC breached its care guidelines by failing to protect her earlier.
BBC APOLOGIZES to Amanda Abbington over Strictly bullying scandal – but Giovanni has cleared almost all allegations of bullying
“It’s hard to say how much she could expect if things go her way, but it could be up to £300,000.
“Obviously this would be the BBC’s worst nightmare; this has already been an expensive investigation and Strictly’s reputation has gone down the drain.”
The investigation saw two former Met officers review hours of rehearsal footage from the latest series. They also reviewed texts and screenshots between the two.
Other celebrities who danced with Giovanni spoke to investigators, including Laura Whitmore, Ranvir Singh, Michelle Visage and Richie Anderson.
Debbie McGee, his dance partner from 2017, reportedly defended him in her interview.
Yesterday, the BBC said in a statement: “The BBC has now completed its review.
“We take all allegations of bullying and harassment very seriously, and this review has taken some time due to its complex nature and our desire to ensure a rigorous and robust process.
It’s hard to estimate how much she could expect if things go her way, but it could be as much as £300,000
Source
“Strictly Come Dancing is a family show and we rightly expect very high standards.
“Although the competition can be difficult, rigorous and demanding, we want the show to ultimately be a joyous and transformative experience.
“It is a great pity that this is not the case for everyone who appeared in the show. We evaluated the complaints and accepted some, but not all.
“We would like to apologize to Amanda Abbington and thank her for coming forward and participating. We know this would not be easy to do.”
The Sun first broke the story last September when we revealed the behind-the-scenes rowing, prompting Amanda to threaten to quit.
She later did so, citing personal medical reasons.
The Sun then revealed on Sunday that she had been diagnosed with mild PTSD and had met with other former contestants to share her experiences of dancing with Giovanni.
He resigned this May, and the next day we discovered that a formal legal investigation was underway.
Bosses have struggled to sign female stars following the claims, and there were fears the show would be pulled from the schedule in Year 20. The number of viewers is currently lower than last year.
Responding to the BBC’s statement, Amanda said coming forward “wasn’t easy”.
Lessons have been learned
From Clemmie Moodie
AMANDA Abbington is not alone with PTSD; after four months and 15 days of relentless coverage of Strictly Come Dancing – scandals, cover-ups, briefings and not a salsa in sight – I think I might have one too. Probably you too, dear reader.
I don’t want to be deliberately flippant about the dangers of mental health, but OF COURSE the BBC apologized to Amanda for hurting her feelings.
Because after 15 years of putting mental health at the forefront of the news agenda, here we are.
BBC damned if it did and damned if it didn’t.
But whatever your interpretation of yesterday’s mixed inquest findings, Amanda’s decision to file for legal aid, to stick her head above the parapet, now seems fully justified.
The corporation officially apologized to her for her experiences on the corporation’s main Saturday night show.
While Amanda – who was diagnosed with mild PTSD earlier this year, after Elstree – released a heartfelt statement saying she felt “vindicated” for speaking out, the Sicilian’s pals were quick to leave the blocks insisting he too was delighted by the report.
Fair play to the Beeb for taking this long – and hiring two independent investigators to spend hundreds of hours analyzing footage and interviewing former contestants, staff and production – to try and get to the bottom of it.
Lessons have been learned, clearly.
And we’ve all now learned that ballroom dancing isn’t for the faint of heart: you don’t have to apply yourself to a lily liver, thank you very much.
She added: “In the days, weeks and months since I contacted the BBC, I have been accused of being a liar, a troublemaker and ‘crazy and unstable’.
“I also received threats of rape and murder, and a bomb threat was sent to my workplace.
“My family and children were also exposed to threats and intimidation.
“Despite this vile abuse, I have never regretted coming forward, and today’s apology from the BBC vindicates my appeal.
“It’s not just vindication for me, but for other people who have contacted me since I lodged the complaint to express concerns about their own experiences on Strictly Come Dancing.
“I hope that those who now felt unable to speak out, will feel more confident that they will be heard and believed.”
She said the BBC had invited her to a meeting with senior management and would look into it.
Amanda added: “This apology means a lot to me.
“Also the fact that the BBC admitted that the steps taken to support and protect me and past contestants ‘were not enough’.
“What is most important now is that the lessons are learned and that the BBC implements the changes it has promised, to ensure that others do not experience the same ordeal that I and others like me have experienced.”
We are pleased that this six-month review found no evidence of threatening or abusive behaviour.
Giovanni’s spokesman
A spokesman for Giovanni said: “We are pleased that this six-month review found no evidence of threatening or abusive behaviour.
“Giovanni is relieved that the vast majority of allegations made to the BBC have not been substantiated and looks forward to continuing to work on Dancing with the Stars in Italy this season.”
Sources believe he could now be cleared to make a shock return to Strictly – although those close to him say he was also “burned” by his experience.
A friend added: “Giovanni feels he has been thrown to the wolves and is very hurt by some of the allegations made against him by previous partners.
“He has always maintained his innocence so now the thought of him returning to Strictly seems strange.
“Only four allegations against him were confirmed for abuse, plus two sexual allegations, but he believes there was context and he was only joking.
“I don’t want to belittle Amanda’s experience, which is valid, but Giovanni feels he could have had better support as well.”
In July, the director-general of the BBC took the unprecedented step of apologizing for the claims that had emerged.
Tim Davie said he was “disappointed” to hear that several celebrities had complained about poor treatment.
“He said show professionals should not cross the line between competitive behavior and “unacceptable behavior”.
“There will be a certain degree of competitiveness and the will to do well, but there are limits and the limit should never be crossed,” he said.
“We never tolerate unacceptable behavior of any kind.”
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A source said: ‘Amanda is delighted and relieved’ Credit: BBC
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Giovanni quit Strictly in May after claimsCredit: BBC
HOW THE SUN LEAD TO A SEVERE SCANDAL
23 SEPTEMBER 2023: The Sun reveals Amanda Abbington has threatened to quit Strictly after a series of rows with her pro partner Giovanni Pernice.
8 January 2024: We discover five more stars have collided with Gia, but the Beeb has refused to investigate.
March 17: Amanda and former stars meet in person to share their “tough experiences.”
May 17: The Sun reveals Gio quit Strictly a day before the investigation was finally launched.
May 19: We reveal the extent of Amanda’s complaints, including “toxic” workouts, but Gio denies any wrongdoing.
July 21: In an interview with this newspaper, Amanda branded Gio “abusive, cruel and mean”.
July 28: Our photos show Gio looking cheerful despite the claims.
September 30: The Sun publishes the results of the bomb investigation.
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Source: HIS Education