Support truly
independent journalism
Support Now
Our mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.
Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.
Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.
Louise Thomas
Editor
Past Strictly Come Dancing controversies are being resurfaced as the BBC series finds itself embroiled in its biggest scandal in its 20-year history.
Amanda Abbington, who is the one who lifted the lid on the scandal, has now given a tell-all interview in which she claims there’s “50 hours” of rehearsal footage that left BBC producers “horrified” by her pro partner Giovanni Pernice’s alleged behaviour.
Abbington also claimed that Pernice’s fellow pros sent her texts of apology after it was revealed he would be her partner ahead of last year’s series. Pernice has denied all claims made by Abbington.
These allegations arrive one week after Graziano Di Prima was dropped from the series for mistreating Zara McDermott in the rehearsal room during the latest run.
On Tuesday afternoon (23 July), BBC director general Tim Davie made a statement apologising for the alleged mistreatment of contestants on the show, and said the corporation “will never tolerate unacceptable behaviour”.
Below are latest updates as the scandal unfolds.
Key Points
- Amanda Abbington claims there’s ‘50 hours’ of Strictly rehearsal footage that ‘horrified’ BBC producers
- Strictly star says series left him with ‘horrific’ injury he’ll ‘never get over’
- Third star named as ‘person of interest’ in BBC series scandal
- Strictly Come Dancing scandal timeline
Amanda Abbington reveals moment she first thought ‘Giovanni hates me'
One day after her tell-all iterview with Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Amanda Abbington appeared on ITV’s Lorraine, which was hosted by Christine Lampard.
She claimed her troubles with Pernice started just three days into rehearsals, stating: “It was week one, the third day. I’ve got texts to the producer on the third day saying ‘This is awful, he hates me, I don’t know what I’m doing wrong’.’
The Sherlock star added: “I felt I had to speak up because I don’t want people to be frightened about speaking about if they’re being bullied or if they are in a difficult situation and they feel like they are not being heard.
“I do feel I have the right to say it was a toxic environment that I was in while I was rehearsing because it was. I know what happened in the room, and it would be remiss of me if i was to say it’s fine, I don’t want to talk about it.
“It’s important that women and men, because men get bullied as well, it’s important that women feel they are in a safe space where they can say this is inappropriate behaviour and it needs be recognised.
Amanda Abbington reveals hopes for outcome of ‘Strictly’ scandal
Amanda Abbington has said she does not want Strictly to end as a result of the scandal.
The Sherlock star stated: “I love Strictly, I always wanted to do that show. I think it’s a beautiful British institution. Most people on that show are wonderful and I’ve made some good friends on that show, I don’t want it to end.
“I want it to have a beautiful extended life because it’s Saturday night entertainment.”
However, Abbington said she “would like an apology” over her alleged mistreatment by pro dancer Giovanni Pernice, adding: “I would like this to not happen to women working in that corporation again and for it to be taken seriously”.
Amanda Abbington claims there’s ‘50 hours’ of ‘horrifying’ Strictly rehearsal footage
Abbington’s professional dance partner, Giovanni Pernice, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing
Jacob Stolworthy25 July 2024 10:10Amanda Abbington reveals extent of death threats post-’Strictly'
Amanda Abbington has revealed that she received rape and death threats to her children in the aftermath of withdrawing from Strictly Come Dancing.
Speaking to Channel 4 News on Wednesday, Abbington said the abuse had been “brutal, relentless and unforgiving” and she received dozens of threats a day towards herself and her children.
“The aftermath has been something that I wasn’t expecting. The death threats and the rape threats towards not only myself but my daughter, and the threats of death to my son,” she said.
More here:
Amanda Abbington says she received rape and death threats to her family post-Strictly
Strictly star says online abuse in aftermath of her depature has been ‘brutal, relentless and unforgiving’
Jacob Stolworthy25 July 2024 09:30Giovanni responds to Amanda Abbington’s latest claims
In a statement addressing Amanda Abbington’s Channel 4 interview, in which she claimed there’s “50 hours” of Strictly rehearsal footage that “horrified” BBC producers, Giovanni Pernice’s spokesperson said:
“We are cooperating fully with the BBC’s review process. All parties have been asked to respect this process and to not speak to the media before it concludes. We will continue to respect the integrity of the investigation and believe it is the right forum for all the evidence to be reviewed.
“As part of the evidence-led review, the BBC has shared the allegations they have been able to substantiate with us. They do not resemble Amanda’s latest allegations, given to Channel 4, in any shape or form. Giovanni refutes any claim of threatening or abusive behaviour, and having provided the BBC with his evidence, is confident that the review will prove this.”
Amanda Abbington claims ‘Strictly’ pros sent her ominous texts about Giovanni
Amanda Abbington has claimed Strictly’s pro dancerrs text her saying “I’m so sorry” after they discovered she was partnered with Giovanni Pernice ahead of last year’s series.
The Sherlock star told her fellow 2023 contestant Krishnan Guru-Murthy for a Channel 4 News interview, who replied: “That’s a really odd thing to do”.
A tearful Abbington said people warned her it would be “tough”, but that she thought she could handle it “because I’ve been around the block a bit, you know?”
Amanda Abbington claims she and her lawyer are trying to access 50 hours of rehearsal room footage
In a new interview with Krishnan Guru-Murthy for Channel 4 News, Abbington claimed that the show’s producers installed cameras in her rehearsal room after she raised concerns about Pernice.
“Every Friday, after the next sort of five weeks, I would get the producer saying, on the Friday, ‘We just watched the footage back, we are shocked and horrified, we’re so sorry’. That was to my face on the Friday when we would go in and do the camera rehearsal,” she said.
“It’s out there. There is evidence out there of what happened in that room and I’m not the one who’s blocking it. I’ve said anyone can watch it, but he [Giovanni] doesn’t want anyone to see it, which is quite telling if he’s got nothing to hide.”
Guru-Murthy, who appeared on the same season of Strictly as Abington, replied: “I heard, not from you, from somebody else, about an instance of, I suppose you’d call it humiliating behaviour of a sexual nature, is that right?”
A tearful Abbington replied: “Yeah. I mean, you know, one of the many things.”
Read more:
Amanda Abbington claims there’s ‘50 hours’ of ‘horrifying’ Strictly rehearsal footage
Abbington’s professional dance partner, Giovanni Pernice, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing
Tom Murray24 July 2024 21:20Strictly scandal timeline
Since January, Strictly Come Dancing has found itself at the centre of controversy – and things only seem to be getting worse.
Here is a timeline detailing everything you need to know.
Strictly in crisis: Every claim facing the under-fire BBC show
It’s been a tumultuous year for the beloved series
Jacob Stolworthy24 July 2024 17:00
Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood speaks out on ‘shock’ of scandal engulfing BBC reality series
Craig Revel Horwood has weighed in on the scandal currently engulfing the popular BBC reality series.
Read more below:
Craig Revel Horwood speaks out on ‘shock’ of scandal engulfing Strictly
TV star claims he learned of the allegations ‘through the press’
Jacob Stolworthy24 July 2024 16:00Piers Morgan to the rescue?
Piers Morgan has made an offer to Strictly Come Dancing producers after numerous scandals hit the much loved dancing competition.
The ex-Good Morning Britain broadcaster, 59, claimed he could “save the day” for the BBC programme amid investigations into ongoing bullying and abuse claims against multiple Strictly professional dancers.
Piers Morgan makes ‘offer’ to Strictly producers amid ongoing BBC scandal
‘I’m prepared to save the day,’ the broadcaster said
Jacob Stolworthy24 July 2024 12:20
Strictly star Will Bayley says show left him with ‘horrific’ injury he’ll ‘never get over’
Paralympian Will Bayley appeared on the BBC dancing series in 2019 and was forced to withdraw six weeks in after tearing his knee ligaments in rehearsals.
He is now opening up about his behind-the scenes experience amid a scandal that has shone a spotlight on the show’s duty of care protocols.
Read more below:
Strictly star says series left him with ‘horrific’ injury he’ll ‘never get over’
‘I was lying on the floor thinking my whole career was over,’ ex-contestant said
Jacob Stolworthy24 July 2024 11:00 Newer1 / 5OlderDisclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.
