Amanda Abbington considering further action against BBC after Strictly scandal
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Amanda Abbington has indicated that she might take additional steps against the BBC after the investigation into the bullying controversy surrounding Strictly Come Dancing has wrapped up.
In her initial interview after the BBC investigation into Giovanni Pernice's actions on the show was revealed, the Sherlock actress provided new details about the accusations against the Italian dancer. She mentioned that he allegedly made an inappropriate sexual gesture toward her while they were rehearsing.
In an interview with Victoria Derbyshire from Newsnight, she described the situation as a continuous cycle of verbal harassment, suggestive comments, and inappropriate gestures. She recounted a particularly aggressive episode that lasted 35 minutes, where he shouted at her, gesturing wildly and hurling insults, expressing how overwhelmed he was.
On Thursday, Pernice's attorneys refuted the new accusations.
Abbington also suggested that there are still some “unresolved” matters after sharing that she hosted former contestants who were paired with Giovanni Pernice at her place, where they ended up shedding tears over their reported experiences.
On Monday, September 30, the BBC revealed the findings of their six-month inquiry into the backstage conduct of the Italian dancer. Six of the complaints made by Abbington were validated by the organization, and as a result, the actor received a formal apology.
Her allegations of verbal bullying and harassment were supported, but the BBC determined that Pernice had not shown any physical aggression towards his celebrity partner, which the dancer viewed as a win.
A representative stated that Pernice, who later clarified his feelings of "frustration" towards Abbington during the show, is glad the report "did not uncover any proof of threatening or abusive conduct." They also mentioned, "Giovanni feels relieved that most of the claims made to the BBC have not been supported."
After the outcome was revealed, Abbington expressed in a statement that the BBC's apology was very meaningful to her. However, during her appearance on Newsnight, she hinted that her connection to the Strictly drama may not be over just yet.
On Wednesday, October 2, Abbington expressed to host Victoria Derbyshire that she is consulting with her lawyer every day about how to move forward in light of the report's findings.
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"I'm currently reviewing a 30-page report with my attorneys. There are still some issues in it that need to be clarified."
The actress mentioned that she organized an emotional meeting with other former contestants from Strictly who had been paired with Pernice in the past. During the BBC's investigation, it was reported that Laura Whitmore, a former host of Love Island, and Ranvir Singh from Good Morning Britain also stepped forward with their own claims against Pernice.
Abbington, who mentioned that she voiced her worries about Pernice "just three or four days" after their encounter, didn't specify the names of Whitmore and Singh. However, she shared that she had the unnamed contestants over to her home, where they all ended up crying together upon their arrival.
She mentioned, "We wanted to confirm that we weren't the only ones experiencing this and that it hadn't only happened to us."
Everyone I talked to shared a similar sentiment – it was an uncomfortable experience and different from what others were experiencing in the other rehearsal spaces.
Abbington mentioned that she completely lost touch with reality while practicing with Pernice during last year's Strictly.
"It’s been an incredibly tough year for me," she remarked. "I've faced so many challenges. Women endure a great deal. I’ve had to confront countless awful situations that just seem to arise because I spoke out."
The actress stood by her choice to speak out against Pernice, saying, “I’m willing to accept criticism. I don’t create issues or cause trouble unnecessarily.”
"I've been an actress for 32 years, and throughout my career—one that played a role in sparking the MeToo movement—I have never faced anything remotely similar to what I encountered in that rehearsal space. I take making accusations very seriously and would never do so without good reason."
