Amanda Abbington has hinted that there exists 50 hours of footage that her former Strictly partner Giovanni Pernice is reluctant to unveil, as she reiterates allegations against him from their training sessions.
The Sherlock star asserted that the footage in question originated from video cameras she claims were set up following her complaints about the Italian dance professional to show producers early on in her television series appearance.
Pernice, who has since exited the program, vehemently refuted her accusations of “unnecessary, abusive, cruel, and mean” conduct and expresses his anticipation to vindicate himself amidst an ongoing BBC inquiry.
Abbington, a participant on last year’s Strictly, remarked that the footage is being intentionally withheld, with her legal counsel being denied access to it.
In an interview with Channel 4 News, she explained that her attorney is attempting to gain permission to view the footage, however, Pernice is resistant to its release, which she finds revealing if he has nothing to hide.
Regarding the BBC footage, she stated: “I am unable to review it, and my legal team is also prohibited from doing so, preventing them from forming an evaluation.”
“Fifty hours of footage is a significant amount of material and time spent in what was described as a toxic environment,” she emphasized.
File pic: AP
During the initial weeks of the show, Abbington alleged that producers expressed shock, horror, and remorse directly to her after reviewing footage from the duo’s practice sessions.
“There exists evidence of what really occurred in that training room, and I am not impeding its disclosure,” she proclaimed.
Pointing towards her claims, she asserted: “It constitutes bullying and aggressive behavior. Various distressing incidents transpired, which, being a woman, had to be endured in the moment because of the circumstances… how else could it be handled?”
During an interview with fellow Strictly participant and Channel 4 News host Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Abbington was asked about an incident involving humiliating behavior of a sexual nature, to which she tearfully responded, “Yes, among many others.”
Pic: BBC/Ray Burmiston
Abbington opted to exit the competition in week six citing “personal reasons,” while withholding further specifics until her recent revelation of lodging a complaint against the program.
She also disclosed enduring severe intimidation, with fans of the Strictly Come Dancing show subjecting her to “brutal, relentless, and unforgiving” threats.
Abbington detailed receiving “rape threats directed towards not only myself, but my daughter, and death threats towards my son.”
When questioned about the source of these threats, she confirmed they originated from Strictly fans and pinpointed supporters of Pernice as well.
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BBC Chief Addresses Controversy Surrounding Strictly
In a recent statement, Abbington emphasized the importance of speaking out against any form of mistreatment or hostility, encouraging those who feel intimidated in toxic environments to voice their concerns despite facing criticism.
Reflecting on her own experience, she asserted, “I am not someone who seeks attention… I am not dramatic. I don’t exaggerate things.”
Abbington highlighted the need for accountability, stating, “What I faced was not acceptable. I raised the issue but it was not taken seriously.”
Possible Revelations by Others
Abbington hinted at the possibility of more individuals coming forward, mentioning that she is aware of at least three other women who underwent similar experiences within the Strictly realm.
The renowned actress from ITV’s Mr Selfridge clarified that while there may be “five or six other complainants,” she knows of three main individuals, with her complaint being the official one.
Post-Show Communication Lapses
Following her departure from the show, Abbington mentioned receiving messages from producers but then experienced a lack of further communication.
When questioned about post-show support, she expressed disappointment, saying, “It would have been nice, I suppose.”
Recent Departure and Show’s Response
In a separate development, professional dancer Graziano Di Prima recently exited the show amid allegations regarding his treatment of Zara McDermott, with specific reports confirming an incident where he kicked her during a rehearsal.
To address such issues, the BBC has announced that a member of the production team will now be present during all training room rehearsals on Strictly.
Response and Cooperation
In response to the ongoing investigation, a BBC spokesperson affirmed their commitment to taking all concerns seriously and having effective procedures to handle such situations.
A representative for Pernice stated that he is actively cooperating with the investigation, trusting that it will provide a fair assessment of the facts presented.
Citing the ongoing review, the spokesperson emphasized Pernice’s denial of any allegations of intimidation or abuse, expressing confidence that the evidence he has provided will vindicate him.
