Strictly judge Shirley Ballas reacts to outcome of Giovanni Pernice investigation

3 Oct 2024

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Shirley Ballas, a judge on Strictly Come Dancing, has given her perspective on the results of a BBC probe regarding the behavior of Giovanni Pernice.

The Italian dancer faced intense criticism after Amanda Abbington, known for her role in Sherlock, claimed he had been abusive towards her during practice sessions. Abbington decided to leave the production early and shared that she was suffering from PTSD as a consequence of the situation.

On Monday, September 30, the findings of a BBC inquiry regarding Pernice's conduct were made public. While he was found not guilty of the more serious charges, Abbington's claims of verbal abuse and harassment were confirmed. As a result, the BBC apologized to the actor.

During a discussion at the Henley Literary Festival on Tuesday, October 1, Ballas expressed, “I do not support bullying. I’ve experienced it personally.”

"If something's not functioning properly or requires attention, I empathize with those who want to bring it to light. I believe it's essential for everyone to have the opportunity to express their views. Now that the investigation has concluded, it's time for everyone to move forward."

Giovanni Pernice - Figure 2 — Photo The Independent

As she was promoting her latest crime novel, Dance to the Death, which takes place in the realm of ballroom dancing, she mentioned, “During my eight years on the show, I’ve really appreciated the support I’ve received. I’ve always felt protected, especially during the tough times when bullying became quite severe.”

Ballas stood out as a key supporter of Pernice during the whole ordeal, describing him as a "true gentleman."

"I don't put much stock in gossip since it often spirals out of control and can become a huge issue," she said in an interview with The Sun in June. "As for Giovanni, I think we should allow the investigation to unfold, and the truth will eventually surface. I won't jump to conclusions about anyone until I'm completely certain."

Pernice opened up about the outcome on Instagram, sharing with his followers: “It's done. It's all over. Spending seven months reading daily headlines in the papers without being able to reply, all to maintain the confidentiality of the review, was really tough. It was a hard period, especially since I had to read so many untrue statements—it definitely wasn’t the easiest time for me, to be honest.”

In the meantime, Abbington expressed that while the BBC's apology was very significant for her, she is contemplating taking further legal steps based on the result.