Actress Amanda Abbington has said the BBC’s report into her claims of bullying on Strictly is a ‘vindication’ of her complaint as the corporation apologised to her today.
He professional dancing partner Giovanni Pernice said he was ‘pleased’ after he was today cleared of threatening and abusive behaviour towards Ms Abbington, but some of her claims were upheld.
After six months of investigating the Sherlock actress’s claims that he was ‘abusive, cruel and mean’ they have finally found he was not abusive, nor did he make threats and nor was he intimidating.
They also said there was no aggressive or physical conduct, but did issue an apology to Ms Abbington.
Out of 17 allegations, they upheld six, some of which are for Giovanni using swear words. The report says that his language could be ‘belittling.’ Sources say they found ‘instances of it.’
The BBC also agreed with Ms Abbington that at times he appeared to be giving her overly negative feedback.
BBC chiefs have unveiled the findings from their six-month investigation into Amanda Abbington ‘s explosive allegations that her Strictly partner Giovanni bullied her in training
In one interview, Ms Abbington, 50, compared the dance show to ‘the trenches’ and claimed BBC producers had been left ‘horrified’ by clips that allegedly exhibited ‘humiliating behaviour of a sexual nature’
Her former partner Giovanni Pernice, 37, quit the BBC’s show but is now starring in the Italian version, Ballando con le Stelle
It also concluded that there were two moments of ‘inappropriate behaviour of sexual banter in the workplace’ which were found to be made and received as jokes, humour and compliments of Ms Abington dancing. The review has found this was a two-way, consensual way of talking and behaving.
However, her complaint that he sent her a video on WhatsApp which she deemed to be inappropriate was also not upheld. The BBC did not find anything sexually inappropriate either.
Ms Abbington said: ‘Despite this vile abuse, I’ve never regretted coming forward, and today’s apology from the BBC is a vindication of my complaint. It’s not just a vindication for me, it’s a vindication for the other people who have contacted me since I made my complaint to express concerns about their own experiences on Strictly Come Dancing.
‘I hope those who have felt unable to speak out now will be more confident that they will be listened to and believed.’
She added that she is ‘considering’ meeting senior management, after they offered that to her.
Abbington also said: ‘This apology means a great deal to me. So too does the fact that the BBC have acknowledged the steps that were put in place to support and protect me and past contestants were ‘not enough’.
‘What matters most now is that lessons have been learned and that the BBC makes the changes they’ve promised, to ensure others don’t experience the same ordeal that I and others like me did.’
The show returned on September 14 for its 20th anniversary with a new cast of celebrities, and some changes including having chaperones present ‘at all times’ during rehearsals.
A source close to Italian star Mr Pernice said: ‘Gio is pleased that this has been thrown out after what has been a torrid nine months or so for him.
‘From the outset, Giovanni has rejected any claims of threatening or abusive behaviour. While it appreciates that the BBC has likely decided to uphold some allegations to avoid the accusations of a ‘whitewash’ – they’ve upheld the weakest allegations put to him.’
Sources have told MailOnline Ms Abbington’s bullying claims amounted to Giovanni swearing at her and not giving her enough feedback during their rehearsal sessions which took place last autumn. She also claimed that her partner stepped on her toe.
One said: ‘Giovanni has never tried to say he isn’t a hard taskmaster but he isn’t a bully and no evidence of that was found.
‘It was an evidence based investigation and there was simply no evidence to back up what she was saying about Giovanni. He denied it all along and he has now been exonerated.
Sources close to the Sicilian heart-throb Giovanni say that he spent much time trying to counsel Amanda, who would admit herself that she was a ‘nightmare.’
The Sherlock actress, pictured last week, complained about her treatment on the show, with other celebrities coming forward
The BBC has been conducting a probe after Ms Abbington, 50, quit the 2023 series after just five weeks before making the allegations
‘Gio tried to find common ground with Amanda all of the time,’ said one. ‘She admitted herself she was difficult, Gio tried his best to navigate and when she quit for medical reasons he still helped her after that.
‘The last nine months have taken their toll on Giovanni, he has kept going though. As he says, his Strictly career in the UK might be over but his dancing one isn’t. He will keep going, he has done nothing wrong.
‘It all seems such a huge waste of time, it is hard to see what this has all achieved.’
Giovanni quit Strictly last April after the BBC said it was launching the inquiry. He had been offered a new contract to star in the 2024 series – the 20th anniversary – and was set to sign it.
He is currently appearing on the Italian version of the show, Ballando con le Stelle in which he is partnered with singer and actress Bianca Guaccero.
His appearance came after BBC bosses endorsed their former star to take part in the Italian version of Strictly despite Amanda’s claims he bullied her.
As the deadline for him to sign to appear on Ballando con le Stelle drew closer chiefs intervened and endorsed Mr Pernice to join as a professional dancer on the show.
There were fears that bosses of the Italian series, which his filmed in Rome, would not hire him amid the allegations.
In a statement, the broadcaster said: ‘The BBC has now concluded its review into the complaints made by Amanda Abbington against Giovanni Pernice.
‘We take any allegations of bullying and harassment very seriously and this review has taken time due to its complex nature and our desire to ensure a rigorous and robust process was undertaken.
‘Strictly Come Dancing is a family show and we rightly expect very high standards. While competition can be tough, rigorous and demanding, we want the show to ultimately be a joyous and transformative experience.
Strictly bosses have introduced tough ‘anti-bullying’ rules by instructing new chaperones to call a helpline if they spot any abusive behaviour on this year’s show
‘It is a great shame if this hasn’t been the case for everyone who has appeared on the show.
‘We have assessed the complaints and we have upheld some, but not all, of the complaints made.
‘We want to apologise to Amanda Abbington and to thank her for coming forward and taking part. We know this would not have been an easy thing to do.
‘At the time, although the production team took steps to address the issues as they understood them, ultimately these were not enough.
‘This is why the measures we have taken to further strengthen our existing protocols are so important.
‘The BBC heard from a number of individuals in making its findings. We want to thank them for participating.
‘The BBC has already taken extensive steps to enhance our duty of care for everyone on the show and a full note of these steps is published alongside this statement’.
