Amanda Abbington on Strictly experience - full interview

The actor Amanda Abbington says she first complained to the BBC about her dance partner Giovanni Pernice within days of starting Strictly Come Dancing.

Months later, an ongoing investigation into complaints about his alleged teaching methods led to him being left out of the 2024 series line-up.

Now she is speaking out publicly, accusing him of "abusive, cruel and mean" behaviour.

Giovanni Pernice has consistently denied wrongdoing, and tonight a spokesperson told us that he refutes any claim of threatening or abusive behaviour, while the BBC says it takes duty of care extremely seriously.

But Amanda Abbington says she and her family are now being subjected to "brutal, relentless and unforgiving" abuse by Strictly fans.

She is about to appear in a new play, about the aftermath of abuse in a family, called "When it Happens to You" at the Park Theatre in London. I met her there at rehearsals.
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[mauralyons]

As a BBC licence payer I believe those 50 hours of footage should be made available

[rebeccatowner]

BBC should release the tapes and turn the investigation over to an external, neutral source.

[grantwallace]

It sounds very much like the BBC not dealing with a problem that they have known about for years. Here we go again.

[christineharris]

As someone who was never believed as a child when being abused, I can say that not being believed hurt far more than the actual abuse. So, I hope once all the evidence along with the truth comes out, that it helps you to begin to heal ❤️

[AHeartLedLife]

I strongly feel that people sending that kind of abuse online should be lawfully charged or fined.

[mavy]

Honestly who are these weirdos who send death threats to people they don’t know and their families?!

[ramblinglea]

I think one of the things we tend to forget is that abusers do not abuse 24/7 but can be/are charming. It’s part of the pattern of abuse and is one of the many reasons why it’s so hard to confront.
All power to Amanda for calling this out.

[beautifulbuddleia]

Police need to track down each and every single person responsible for sending this Lady and her children death threats!!

[pennyross]

Any woman who’s been in a toxic working environment understands exactly what Amanda is saying she’s a brave lady and yes she is believed

[LUNAJH]

So glad she has spoken out. She's risked her career to shine a light on misogynistic abusive behaviour. She's a brave woman and I admire her courage.

[samueljweston]

The BBC will surely have to release the footage. And it is right that they should.

[hayley]

There is a MASSIVE issue of misogyny in society. How many men recieve rape and death threats for not towing the line or expressing the "wrong opinions". Women are not listened to and are continuously treated with contempt. Big love to Amanda Abbington. ❤

[akalilblu]

Amanda you were my favourite on strictly. When you pulled out i felt you did so with honour, grace and professionalism. In the past weeks i have admired your not rising to hype and remaining private and respectful. I have CPTSD and this interview hit hard. Your trauma is clearly still very raw but you handled this interview once again with honesty and professionalism. You have acted as any one would, your feelings and instincts are completely normal. Not unhinged, not unstable but justified and simply human. It is NEVER ok to make another person feel this way, no matter the reasons. Good people nurture others and do not degrade and put them down. You have done what you know to be morally the right thing in reaching out and so need not feel any shame. I am a big strictly fan and was shocked to hear about how bad things were. This does not make me think less of those coming forwards nor does it make me think less of the show as a whole. From the outside it looks as if the BBC are taking this seriously and i truly hope this provides an opportunity to assess and restructure so everyone is able to move forwards in a happy and healthy manner. I admire your bravery and wish you all the best with your play xxx

[motivations]

As a TV Liscence payer I would like to request that the 50 hrs of footage is released.

[ria]

Amanda saying "..trying my hardest every week.. to make that room a nicer a place" is typical of how a victim of an abuser behaves - initially you believe that you're making the abuser react in a negative way, so there must be something wrong with you, you try harder and harder to please them and behave in a way that doesn't offend them, but no matter what you do, it doesn't work. He sounds like a typical narcissist. These folk have two faces and if you've only ever been exposed to the charming side, you'll have a hard time believing how nasty they can be. Amanda is incredibly brave for exposing his treatment of her ❤

[scott]

It seems all very convenient for the BBC to not allow anyone to see the footage or brush things to one side for their own gain. When you look at Jimmy Saville or Rolf Harris who were extremely popular and influential and realise how long it took for someone to do something it seems this is unfortunately going the same way. Surely if ANY environment feels unsafe or toxic in any way it should be taken seriously immediately. This has happened a few times lately with the BBC lately it's disgusting.

[nigelcole]

Disgusting that haters will attack another human being in such an unwarranted fashion. No TV program is worth the destruction of someone mental health or physical wellbeing.

[DontStartWithMe.]

Well done for speaking up against bully’s and sexist chauvinists and the corporations that protect AND uplift them.

[mimix]

The BBC protected Savile and they are STILL PAYING Huw Edwards. What did we expect?

[maisymorris]

But she was all over him in rehearsals, touching his face after rehersals, saying they got on well and saying how lovely he is. So is she saying she lied then?