Amanda Abbington has hinted that she may not be finished with the Strictly Come Dancing scandal following the conclusion of the BBC’s investigation. The Sherlock star suggested this after revealing that she had invited former Strictly contestants who were partnered with Giovanni Pernice to her home, where they all emotionally discussed their alleged experiences.
The BBC’s six-month investigation into the Italian dancer’s behaviour behind the scenes concluded recently, with six of Abbington’s complaints upheld by the corporation. Abbington, who was paired with Pernice on last year’s series, received an official apology from the BBC. Her complaints of verbal bullying and harassment were substantiated, although the findings indicated that Pernice was not physically aggressive towards his celebrity partner, which he considered a victory.
While Abbington expressed appreciation for the BBC’s apology, she hinted during an appearance on Newsnight that this may not be the end of her involvement in the Strictly drama. She mentioned that she is consulting with her lawyer on a daily basis as they continue to review the 30-page report, highlighting that there are still unresolved issues.
During the investigation, it was reported that other former Strictly contestants, such as Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh, had also come forward with allegations against Pernice. Abbington did not name these contestants but revealed that they had a tearful gathering at her home where they shared their experiences and emotions.
Abbington stressed that rehearsing with Pernice on last year’s Strictly had been a challenging experience, causing her to “lose all sense of reality.” She described it as one of the worst years of her life and defended her decision to speak out against Pernice, emphasising that she does not make accusations lightly.
The actor asserted, “I have worked 32 years as an actress, in a job that started the MeToo movement, and I have never had to leave a job or experience anything like I did in that rehearsal room.” Abbington added, “I don’t ever make accusations lightly.”
As the situation continues to unfold, Abbington’s statements indicate that there may be more to come regarding the aftermath of the Strictly scandal. Fans will be watching closely to see how this story develops further.