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Louise Thomas
Editor
Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas has shared her thoughts on the outcome of a BBC investigation into the conduct of Giovanni Pernice.
The Italian dancer was subject to scrutiny after Sherlock star Amanda Abbington accused him of being abusive to her during rehearsals. Abbington quit the show early and revealed she had endured PTSD as a result of the experience.
Results of a BBC investigation into Pernice’s behaviour were released on Monday (30 September). The dancer was cleared of the more serious allegations against him, but Abbington’s complaints of verbal bullying and harassment were upheld. The corporation issued an apology to the actor following the outcome.
Commenting on the news at an event at Henley Literary Festival on Tuesday (1 October), Ballas said, “I don’t condone bullying. I’ve been through it myself.
“So if things aren’t right or need addressing, I feel for the person that wants them addressed. And I think that’s a big, important part that everybody gets to say their thing. But now the investigation is over and everybody can move on.”
While promoting her new crime novel, Dance to the Death, which is set in the world of ballroom dancing, she added: “The eight years I’ve been on the show, it’s been great safeguarding. I’ve always felt taken care of when the bullying got really bad.”
Ballas was one of the most prominent figures to defend Pernice during the controversy, calling him a “perfect gentleman”.
“I don’t believe gossip because things are blown way out of all proportion and it can turn into a great big snowball,” she told The Sun in June. “So my feeling for Giovanni is, let them do this investigation and the truth will come out. So we don’t judge anybody until I know absolutely, 100 percent.”
Pernice spoke candidly about the result on Instagram, telling his fans: “It’s over. It’s finished. Seven months of reading everyday things in the newspaper and not be able to respond because I wanted to keep the confidentiality and privacy of the review was a difficult time. It was difficult because, you know, reading stuff that was untrue, wasn’t the nicest time of my life, let’s be honest.”
Meanwhile, Abbington said that although the BBC’s apology had “meant a lot to her”, she is considering further legal action following the outcome.
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