Amanda Abbington has finally spoken out about her treatment while taking part in Strictly Come Dancing as she claimed her dance partner was ‘cruel and mean.’
The Sherlock star, 50, quit Strictly after five weeks in 2023 and claimed to have been left with PTSD. She now has spoken out about her experience with her dance partner on the show, Giovanni Pernice.
‘I found Giovanni’s behaviour unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean. I couldn’t sit back and let him do that to other people.
She then revealed that she felt that there was a ‘duty of care’ that wasn’t met, adding that she complained after thinking about it ‘long and hard’ in order to protect future contestants.
‘Rehearsal rooms should be a safe space, there is a duty of care and kindness, and that courtesy wasn’t extended to me on this job,’ she told The Sun on Sunday.
Join Metro's Strictly community on WhatsApp
Want to be the first to get all the latest news and rumours from the Strictly dancefloor?
Join our Strictly Come Dancing WhatsApp channel to keep up to date with all the behind-the-scenes gossip about your favourite pros, judges and celebrities.
Simply click on this link, select ‘Join Chat’ and you’re in! Don't forget to turn on notifications so you can see when we've just dropped the latest spoilers. Keep dancing!
Giovanni Pernice has denied any wrongdoing.
She then claimed that the BBC was aware of the dancer’s alleged behaviour.
‘I know the BBC knew about Giovanni’s behaviour for years, people had complained about him and flagged his behaviour to producers in the past and nothing was done. It wasn’t an isolated experience with me. I should never ever have danced with him.’
Amanda revealed in January 2024 that she was suffering from PTSD following the competition.
The star then first broke her silence about her treatment on the show in June. At the time Amanda told the MailOnline that Pernice was ‘nasty’ and she asked for her dance rehearsals with him to be recorded.
‘I asked for them to be recorded, it was me. Giovanni is nasty. He was awful to a few of us, a group of us,’ she said.
On July 13th, professional dancer Graziano Di Prima said he ‘deeply regretted’ his actions as he left the BBC series following claims of ‘physical incidents’, including allegations he ‘kicked and hit’ his 2023 celebrity partner, Zara McDermott.
On Thursday, July 18, a spokesperson confirmed that Di Prima did kick his former dance partner.
In the interview with The Sun, Amanda added that she was ‘proud’ of the other celebrities who had also come forward to complain.
‘I’m proud of the people who have come forward. Daring to say something is a big step for people.
‘The BBC must have been turning a blind eye and the fact other people have come forward must mean there is something going on that is endemic.’
Metro.co.uk has reached out to the BBC for comment.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
Ad Consultant
Business services
0 Comments