Giovanni Pernice explains why he got ‘frustrated’ with Amanda Abbington on Strictly

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Giovanni Pernice shared his feelings of "frustration" regarding Amanda Abbington during their rehearsals for Strictly Come Dancing.

On Monday, September 30, the BBC revealed the findings of their six-month inquiry into the off-screen conduct of the Italian dancer. The corporation upheld six complaints made by Abbington, who was partnered with Pernice in last year's season. As a result, the actor has received a formal apology.

Sherlock actress Abbington's claims of verbal bullying and harassment were supported, while the BBC's investigation determined that Pernice did not show any physical aggression towards his celebrity partner, a conclusion that the dancer considered a win.

A representative mentioned that Pernice is glad the report revealed no proof of any threatening or abusive actions. They further stated, “Giovanni feels relieved that most of the claims made to the BBC have not been supported.”

Soon after, Pernice opened up on Instagram about the outcome, telling his followers, “It’s done. It’s all over. For seven months, I had to see daily headlines in the papers and couldn’t say anything because I wanted to maintain the confidentiality of the review process. It’s been tough. Honestly, seeing so many false things written was not the easiest period in my life.”

He then shared some insights about what happens during rehearsals, discussing the reasons for his frequent frustration with the celebrities he collaborates with.

Today is a moment for us to pause and think, as I recognize that dancing is quite a challenging art form. It involves intense physicality and demands a lot in various ways. There are times when it can be frustrating—whether you’re a teacher, a dancer, or a performer.

"The only reason you feel frustrated is that you genuinely care about your work."

He added, "As a professional and an educator, my goal is to help my partner reach their full potential, and there are times when I feel frustrated. I believe this is something people everywhere experience – it's part of being professional, and I really enjoy it."

He mentioned that he still feels “frustrated” by Bianca Guaccero, the actress and singer he's paired with on the Italian version of Dancing with the Stars. He took part in this show after leaving Strictly.

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"I believe it's just part of the process, but when you push yourself, you can achieve great results," he said.

On Monday, September 30, the BBC shared the findings of the investigation, stating: "After reviewing the complaints, we have decided to support some of them, but not all. Strictly Come Dancing is meant for families, and we hold it to very high standards. Although the competition can be fierce and challenging, our goal is for the show to be a happy and transformative experience. It’s unfortunate if this hasn't been the case for every participant."

"We'd like to express our gratitude to Amanda Abbington for stepping up and participating. We understand that this was likely a difficult decision for her."

The company explained that the results took a considerable amount of time to be revealed because of the complicated nature of Abbington's concerns. They noted that a thorough and strong review process was conducted.

Abbington expressed that the BBC's apology was very significant to her, stating, "As the BBC mentioned in its announcement today, it was not easy for me to step forward and speak out about Giovanni Pernice's behavior towards me."

Since I reached out to the BBC, I have faced accusations of dishonesty, being a nuisance, and being labeled as 'crazy and unstable.' Additionally, I've endured threats of sexual violence, threats to my life, and even a bomb threat directed at my workplace. My family and children have also been targeted with threats and harassment.

She added, “Even though I faced terrible mistreatment, I’ve never wished I hadn’t spoken up, and the BBC’s apology today confirms that my concerns were valid. This isn't just about me; it's also about others who reached out after I raised my complaint, sharing their own worries about their experiences on Strictly Come Dancing. I hope this encourages those who have been hesitant to come forward to feel more assured that they will be heard and taken seriously.”

Abbington abruptly exited Strictly just five episodes into the 2023 season, claiming health issues. Her accusations against Pernice, whom she described as “nasty,” emerged in January 2024, and she has consistently alleged that he behaved inappropriately during rehearsals.

In August 2024, it was revealed that Abbington was "interviewed again" regarding her accusations against Pernice, which involved her assertion that the dancer made inappropriate sexual remarks during rehearsals.

In addition, during an interview with Krishnan Guru-Murthy for Channel 4 News last month, Abbington stated that the show's producers placed cameras in her rehearsal space after she expressed worries about Pernice.

"Every Friday for the next five weeks, the producer would tell me, 'We just reviewed the footage and we are stunned and upset about it. We truly apologize.’ This was said to me directly on Fridays when we would come in for the camera rehearsal," she shared.

“The proof exists. There's information available about what took place in that room, and I'm not the one preventing access to it. I've made it clear that anyone can take a look at it, but he [Giovanni] doesn’t want anyone to view it, which is quite revealing if he has nothing to conceal.”

When Guru-Murthy inquired if she was referring to bullying, she responded affirmatively, saying, “Absolutely, it's definitely bullying and aggressive behavior. There were other distressing moments that you have to handle on the spot, especially as a woman. You have to navigate through these situations because, otherwise, what choice do you have?”