Strictly Come Dancing continues to dominate UK headlines with multiple allegations of misconduct from its professional dancers.
Most recently, the BBC has published an apology to ex-Strictly contestant Amanda Abbington, upholding “some, but not all” of her complaints against her dance partner, Strictly pro Giovanni Pernice.
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“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,” a statement from the BBC reads, adding that while the corporation "took steps to address the issues as they understood them” during Amanda's time on the show, “ultimately these were not enough”.
Further, the statement reports that “important” extra duty of care measures have been added, including chaperones in rehearsal rooms and the employment of two new welfare producers.
Amanda has responded, acknowledging the apology: “In the days, weeks and months since I contacted the BBC, I’ve been accused of being a liar, a troublemaker and of being ‘mad and unstable’. I’ve also received rape and murder threats and a bomb threat was sent to my place of work. My family and children have also been subjected to threats and intimidation.
“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.”
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It comes after a six-month investigation into Giovanni's behaviour, which culminated in the public apology and statement. BBC News shared that complaints of verbal bullying and harassment were upheld, but claims of physical aggression were not.
As well as Amanda, Zara McDermott and model and presenter Laura Whitmore have also spoken out about their time on the show.
Strictly pro Graziano Di Prima has also reportedly been accused of inappropriate behaviour by members of the team and former contestants.
Laura – who was paired with Giovanni Pernice back in 2016 – released a statement about her time on Strictly. She posted on Instagram Stories: "I was trying not to comment on recent press speculation until the BBC review is complete but feel there is a lot of misinformation in the press and I want to help and show support by setting the record straight.
"I was asked to speak to the BBC along with six people that I know of (who deserve anonymity as they don't want to be dragged through the press), about inappropriate behaviour they experienced similar to mine with the same individual. I initially raised concerns back in 2016.
“I thought my experience was specific to me but I've since learned I was wrong. The aim of this is to show a pattern of behaviour that I believe needs to stop.” Laura did not name Giovanni in her statement, but stressed that she is speaking out to “support others” and encourage changes in the Strictly culture.
“My evidence is to support other people’s experience. It’s a shame it takes this for someone to be heard. I am not looking for anything just an acceptance that what happened to me in the rehearsal rooms during my time on BBC Strictly was wrong and that it won’t happen to anyone else again.
“Because I have not made an official complaint, and am providing evidence of my experience to support the investigation, not all the communication will be passed on to all parties involved.”
Amanda spoke to ITV's Lorraine Kelly about her experiences on the show, saying that she complained to producers just three days into the show. “I've got texts to the producer on day three going, 'This is awful, he hates me, I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I'm trying my best, I promise you.' So that was the first week.”
She added, “I felt I had to speak up because I don't want people to be frightened of speaking about if they're being bullied or if they feel they are in a difficult situation or if 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 just say 'it's fine, I don't want to talk about it.”
In another interview with Channel 4, Amanda revealed that there are “50 hours” of footage showing the producers acknowledging they were “horrified” to see how Pernice was treating her.
“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,’" she said. "That was to my face on the Friday when we would go in and do the camera rehearsal. 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.”
Neither Pernice or Di Prima have returned for this year's series, with the BBC confirming Graziano's departure in a statement: “We can confirm that Graziano Di Prima is no longer a part of the line-up of professional dancers for the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing.
"While we would never comment on individual cases, it is well-known that the BBC has established and robust duty of care procedures, and if issues are raised we will always take them seriously and act swiftly as appropriate.”
Reports say that the dancer's dismissal came after allegations were made against him after members of the show's team observed his behaviour towards his former dance partner and Love Island star Zara McDermott.
Zara has spoken out in a statement on social media. “Reports have been made about my treatment on the show and there were witnesses to some events, as well as videos of particular incidents which are incredibly distressing to watch,” she wrote. “I have wrestled with the fear of opening up – I was scared about public backlash, I was scared about my future. I was scared of victim shaming. But after a lot of conversations with those I love, I've gained the strength to face these fears, and when I was asked to speak to the BBC, I spoke candidly about my time on the show.”
She has also commented on the hardship for victims when it comes to speaking out against this behaviour – particularly women. “The culture within our society makes it difficult for people to speak up, especially in a world where social media opinions and voices are so loud. This is something I've seen through working with countless women on my documentaries.”
A spokesman for Graziano Di Prima then confirmed that the dancer kicked celebrity partner Zara McDermott once during rehearsals last year, leading to his removal from the show.
Graziano also confirmed the news of his Strictly departure in an Instagram post: “I deeply regret the events that led to my departure from Strictly. My intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime. Respecting the BBC HR process, I understand it's best for the show that I step away.
“While there are aspects of this story involving external influences that I can't discuss at this time, I remain committed to being strong for my family and friends. I wish the Strictly family nothing but success in the future. I also want to thank everyone who has supported my career, both professionally and personally. When the time is right, I will share my story.”
This came after The Sun revealed back in May that the BBC was also investigating complaints about fellow Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni.
During the investigation, the broadcaster looked at hundreds of hours of Strictly footage from the last nine years that Giovanni spent as a professional dancer on the show.
At time of writing, it is unclear whether Giovanni will return to Strictly. He has denied allegations of abusive behaviour. In a statement on Instagram in May 2024, he wrote: "You will be as surprised as I am that allegations have been made about my dance teaching methods in the media this week.
"Of course, I reject any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour, and I look forward to clearing my name. Those who have followed my journey on Strictly Come Dancing over the last decade will know that I am passionate and competitive. No-one is more ambitious for my dance partners than me.
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“I have always striven to help them be the very best dancers they can be. This has always come from a place of love and wanting to win – for me and my dance partners.”
Following the investigation's recent conclusion, he also shared a video on Instagram, saying: “Today, I'm happy because, you know, at the beginning there were very very serious allegations thrown out at me – but as in today, none of the serious allegations have been upheld.”
On Wednesday 29 May, the BBC released a statement which appeared to address the reports surrounding Strictly at the time.
The broadcaster said: "It is a longstanding position that the BBC does not comment on specific matters related to individuals. Nor ordinarily, would we comment on whether we are reviewing any individual complaints. Recently, we have seen a number of media reports about a high profile show. We would urge people not to indulge in speculation. Anyone involved in a complaint has a right to confidentiality and fair process.
“If a complaint is made to the BBC, we assess and take any necessary steps to establish the facts, whether there is a case to answer, and, if appropriate, what action should be taken. This is all within the context of the BBC having duties of care to everyone linked to a complaint - that applies to those that have raised the complaint and to those that have been complained about. Whilst we know our shows have been positive experiences for many of those who have taken part, we will always look at any issues raised with care, fairness and sensitivity to everyone concerned. We will not be commenting further.”
Amanda quit Strictly while appearing in the 2023 series, citing “personal reasons” in a statement on Instagram at the time, but later opened up about suffering from PTSD from her time on the show.
“I was diagnosed with mild PTSD after Strictly for several reasons and I told a few people about that, in the utmost confidence, among other things that were happening in my life at the time both professionally and personally,” she told The Sun back in January.
Amanda has opened up about her experiences on the show as well as the traumatic aftermath. “I’ve had the worst experience,” she said in an interview with The Sunday Times. “The show was tough and horrible, but the aftermath of it I was not expecting. It’s been really brutal and it just hasn’t stopped.
“It’s been awful, just relentless. Death threats and rape threats for just standing up for something that I thought was wrong… When I’m in a rehearsal room I make sure that it’s a place where everyone feels safe and feels like they’re having a nice time. And that courtesy wasn’t extended to me.”
Laura Whitmore previously opened up about her experience in a 2018 HuffPost UK op-ed. “I was placed with a dance partner I was extremely uncomfortable with – and in the end I felt broken,” she wrote. “I cried every day. And I really was broken, both mentally and physically, by the end. To the outside world I tried to suck it up and smile, and I did that to the best of my ability, but it affected me deeply.”
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Later, after reports were circulating that Giovanni was negotiating his return to Strictly, Amanda posted a cryptic message about “misogynists” to Instagram.
She wrote: "Make people feel embarrassed of being associated with misogynists. Make misogyny unprofitable for anyone to pursue. Deprive misogyny of the oxygen it needs to survive."
Following the reports, Korina Travis, a former dance partner of Giovanni's, replied to a comment on an Instagram post describing her own “horrendous” experiences of working with him. “I’ve known him for years as a fellow competitor and he has done horrendous things to me," she wrote. “I will not speak about my experiences with him but I’m glad the world is seeing him for who he truly is. I’ll leave it at that.”
Former Strictly winner Stacey Dooley was asked about the scandal on BBC Breakfast, and responded with the importance of “believing women”.
When asked about the allegations against Giovanni Pernice, Stacey said: "Yeah, what I would say is I don't have a friendship with Giovanni. I didn't even have a working relationship with Giovanni. And I haven't been involved with that show for years. So it would be probably irresponsible for me to comment on that.
“What I would say, more broadly, is I hope all of the women involved are OK. And I think, actually, it's separate from this but in my personal experience, I think it's a slippery slope not to believe women when they come forward and say certain things. But I just hope they're ok.”
Another ex-partner of Giovanni's, ex-Steps singer Faye Tozer, has not come forward, but there were reports of the couple allegedly “clashing” due to his “fiercely competitive” nature.
She spoke to OK! about the “agony” and “bruises” from dancing with “determined” Giovanni, but didn't voice any criticisms of his methods.
GLAMOUR will keep this article updated as and when this story develops.
