brutal reveal
Amanda Abbington claims she told Strictly bosses ‘Giovanni Pernice HATES me’ in first week and reveals ‘nasty’ behaviour
Watch as Amanda details her initial experience on the show with Lorraine host Christine Lampard
AMANDA Abbington claimed she alerted Strictly Come Dancing bosses to Giovanni Pernice's alleged "nasty" behaviour in the first week of the 2023 series.
The Sherlock actress, 50, told how she reached the third day of rehearsals - super early on into the BBC programme - and realised something was wrong.
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Amanda opened up on ITV daytime show Lorraine on Thursday to stand-in show host Christine Lampard, 45.
Constrained by legal restrictions on how much she could say, Amanda attempted to explain the conduct of the Italian professional on Strictly.
She said: "It was inappropriate.
"It was mean, it was nasty, it was bullying, and I put up with it for five weeks.
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"It started early on and when it started to happen I would shut down, because I recognised those red flags."
When Lorraine host Christine asked when she became aware there was an issue, she bluntly said: "Week one, third day.
"I have got texts to the producers on day three saying 'this is awful, he hates me' and 'I don't know what I have done wrong.'
"And that was in the first week," before admitting there were "many" such chats which followed with those working at the BBC.
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Giovanni, 33, quit the BBC show earlier this year.
His exit came as he is currently under investigation by the BBC over misconduct after complaints were filed by several of his former celebrity dance partners - claims he strongly denies.
Shaking Amanda Abbington says being first Strictly whistleblower has been 'brutal and unforgiving' as she breaks down in tears on Channel 4 News
The same investigation also saw his fellow Italian professional Graziano Di Prima axed after allegations of "physical incidents" towards show partner Zara McDermott, 27.
Additionally, show judge Anton Du Beke is also facing a legal probe over a historic row with former celebrity partner Laila Rouass, 53, and what has been dubbed "1970s behaviour."
Later in the interview she chatted about her new stage show, When It Happens To You, which is also launching in London.
Yet switching chat back to the investigation, she said: "I don't know what's going to happen but I know what happened in that room.
Giovanni Pernice Strictly scandal timeline
October 2023: Amanda abruptly withdraws from Strictly having already missed one live show. Her departure is announced in a vague BBC statement that 'wishes her the best'.
Giovanni posts a short message on social media addressing the exit, which read: "Amanda… I am so sad we can’t continue but I am proud of what we achieved and I am sending you so much love.”
Amanda then shares her own farewell statement on Instagram thanking co-stars but failing to mention Gio.
Giovanni's dad Piero insists there were no signs of a fall out and the pairing could have gone all the way. He praised his son as kind and polite.
November 2023: Giovanni is reportedly gutted by the situation and is considering his Strictly future as questions are raised about his conduct.
January 2024: Amanda's PTSD diagnosis comes to light and she demands CCTV from rehearsals to prove that Giovanni's training methods weren't acceptable.
The BBC issues a statement defending its duty of care to contestants, insisting it takes any claims of wrongdoing very seriously.
The Corporation stands by its man after emergency meeting
March 2024: Giovanni publicly states he has no intention of leaving Strictly in a TV interview with close pal Anton du Beke.
Ranvir Singh and Laura Whitmore enter the picture. Allegedly the two celebs, who were both previously partnered with Giovanni on Strictly, didn't feel the BBC took their issues with his methods seriously enough.
The pair have a closed meeting with Amanda where tears are said to be shed.
May 2024: We reveal Giovanni is leaving the programme after having talks with show bosses
He leaves the country with girlfriend Molly Brown on holiday
The BBC launches an internal investigation after three complainants instruct lawyers. A source describes it as a "nightmare situation".
"I know I've done nothing wrong.
"I left that show with my head held high."
She added: "I've got nothing to hide."
The Sun previously reported how Strictly was in talks to hire chaperones for celebs while they are training for the series.
It came after the BBC gave more detail on their new duty of care and the drastic new measures to be implemented following the overhaul.
It came just hours after her emotional Channel 4 interview on Wednesday night with former co-star and news anchor Krishnan-Guru Murthy, in which she broke down in tears.
During this discussion, she told how some of her alleged abuse was "sexual" in nature.
Krishnan said: "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?”
An emotional Amanda replied: “Yeah. I mean, you know, one of the many things.”
Talking about the nature of the 'abuse', she added: “It was unnecessary and when stuff was getting thrown at me I'd shut down because I've been in abusive situations before in the past so I recognised the red flags, so I'd shut down and wouldn't be able to do it because I felt attacked, not literally attacked.”
Hitting back at trolls who, she says, branded her a "snowflake" and sent her and her family death threats, Amanda insisted: “I go into anything wanting to work hard. I have a strong work ethic, the fact that people think I'm lazy and ‘she didn't know what she was letting herself in for’. Yes, I did, of course I did, I know what I was letting myself in, but I didn't know I was letting myself in for that."
She added that she is confident her complaint will be investigated and that she is not the only voice, claiming six other Strictly stars came forward before her.
In the candid chat, Amanda reiterated her claims that Giovanni is blocking the release of rehearsal footage, saying there are 50 hours recorded.
In a statement, Giovanni’s spokesperson said: “We are cooperating fully with the BBC’s review process. All parties have been asked to respect this process and 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.
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“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.”
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