Strictly: Amanda Abbington accuses Giovanni Pernice of 'cruel' behaviour

Amanda Abbington expressed that she believes Giovanni Pernice's reported actions were unnecessary, abusive, cruel, and unkind during their time as dance partners on Strictly Come Dancing.

The actress, who left the show last year in October, explained to the Sun on Sunday that she was afraid of facing criticism if she spoke up. She also alleged that the BBC had been aware of Pernice's actions for a long time.

Pernice's representative stated that he strongly denied the claims and dismissed any accusations of being abusive or threatening.

The BBC did not respond to the recent allegations, but they have previously stated that they have strong safety measures in place.

Strictly has been surrounded by controversy following complaints about ex-dancers Pernice and Graziano Di Prima.

Many news outlets shared the news that Abbington, who is known for her role in Sherlock, had some challenges working with her dance partner, Pernice.

In the Sunday interview, Abbington stated: "I thought Giovanni's actions were unwarranted, harmful, harsh, and unkind. I couldn't just stand by and watch him treat others that way."

I carefully considered whether or not to speak up, knowing there would likely be negative consequences. However, I felt it was important to voice my concerns in order to prevent others from experiencing the same situation on the show.

She mentioned that everything that occurred in the training room was captured on video, and she did not mind if anyone viewed it.

Abbington expressed that she believes rehearsal rooms should be a place where everyone feels safe and cared for, and where kindness is a priority.

"I wasn't treated with that same courtesy in this task," she stated.

She mentioned that she wanted to voice her concerns because she believed it was unjust.

"It's unbelievable what has happened to me, facing death threats and criticism," she exclaimed.

She said that she had previously raised concerns about Pernice's behavior to the producers, but they did not take any action.

It wasn't just a one-time thing for me. I should have never danced with him.

Last month, it was revealed that Pernice will not be coming back to Strictly for the upcoming season.

In a message given to BBC News, Pernice's representative stated: "The BBC has informed Giovanni about the investigation's claims, and he has fully cooperated. None of the accusations reported in the Sun on Sunday are true in any way."

Giovanni denies the claims and says he did not act in an abusive or threatening manner.

"He has given solid proof to the inquiry, and he is completely sure that he will prove his innocence."

The BBC stated that it does not provide details or make statements about individual cases.

The post advised against engaging in "speculation", emphasizing that anyone involved in a complaint has the right to privacy and a fair investigation. When a complaint is filed with the BBC, they carefully review the situation, gather evidence, determine if there is a valid concern, and decide on the appropriate course of action.

"This is all in regards to the BBC's responsibility to take care of everyone involved in a complaint - this includes those who made the complaint and those who are being accused in the complaint."

Additionally, the Sunday Mirror has published claims made by an unidentified person against a female professional dancer on the show.

According to the article, an unidentified male competitor alleged that the dancer shouted angrily at him. He is reportedly unhappy with the higher-ups for not backing him up during and after he quit the competition.

The man competing in the show says that he had arguments with the dancer on a daily basis. He also mentioned that the dancer would become very angry if he didn't get his routines right, even when the cameras were not rolling. This information was reported in the newspaper.

The BBC stated that they will not discuss specific individuals or participate in making guesses about them in relation to the story.

Nonetheless, as previously mentioned, we are open to hearing from individuals who wish to bring something to our attention or address it with us directly. We have established procedures in place to handle these situations accordingly.

The second ex-Strictly dancer who has been involved in the controversy is Di Prima.

Earlier this week, Zara McDermott, a television host who was partnered with Di Prima during the previous season, shared a message revealing that she experienced upsetting situations in the practice space for Strictly Come Dancing. She expressed discomfort when reliving these moments.

After two days, a representative for Di Prima verified that the celebrity had intentionally kicked McDermott during a rehearsal last year, resulting in his dismissal from the show.

Di Prima expressed a profound sense of remorse for the circumstances that ultimately resulted in his departure from Strictly.

After McDermott's recent disclosures, the company revealed that it will now have supervisors present at all upcoming rehearsals.

Additionally, there will be two new welfare coordinators appointed specifically for this purpose, along with a series of other additional actions.