Strictly Come Dancing probe findings have been revealed, exposing that professional dancer Giovanni Pernice allegedly made inappropriate comments to actress Amanda Abbington during their time on the show. The actress claimed that Giovanni expressed a desire to ‘f*** her’ in what he described as ‘banter’. The investigation into the bullying claims made by Amanda against Giovanni has now become public knowledge, showing that there are no real winners in this situation. The BBC has issued an apology to Amanda after upholding some of her complaints, with six out of the 17 allegations being deemed valid.
According to reports, Giovanni’s camp insisted that the upheld complaints were trivial, but Amanda disagreed, stating that they justified her decision to speak out. The upheld allegations included instances of swearing, belittling language, and excessive negative feedback from Giovanni towards Amanda. One complaint detailed a lewd remark coupled with a crotch-grabbing gesture by Giovanni, along with the aforementioned inappropriate comment. Despite claims by a source close to Giovanni that these actions were meant as jokes and compliments, Amanda saw them as bullying behaviour. Giovanni, however, was cleared of threatening, abusive, and physical conduct.
A source representing Amanda highlighted the significance of an internal investigation finding workplace misconduct, indicating that the issue was serious enough to warrant an apology. The source noted that other individuals supported Amanda’s version of events, including ex-contestants, dancers, and choreographers. Giovanni left Strictly Come Dancing amidst these accusations, though BBC insiders did not disclose whether the findings would have led to his dismissal at the time of the investigation.
In response, the BBC expressed its regret to Amanda and extended gratitude for her cooperation in the investigation. Giovanni shared his relief at the review’s outcome, emphasising that the serious allegations against him were not upheld. He went on to secure a new role on Dancing With The Stars in Italy. Meanwhile, Amanda disclosed the challenging experiences she faced after speaking out, including receiving threats and abuse, but she affirmed her decision to come forward. She hoped that the BBC’s apology would encourage others to speak out and lead to necessary changes in the show’s protocols.
The 20th season of Strictly Come Dancing returned with new measures in place, such as chaperones present during rehearsals. The developments in this probe have shed light on workplace dynamics in the entertainment industry and sparked conversations about accountability and respect. Following the investigation’s outcomes, both Giovanni and Amanda have taken different paths, reflecting on their experiences during the tumultuous period on the popular dance show.