Giovanni Pernice talks Amanda Abbington Strictly allegations

Giovanni Pernice has spoken about his ‘Strictly controversy’ on ITV…

In his first television interview about the BBC investigation into allegations made by Amanda Abbington during their time as partners on Strictly Come Dancing Giovanni explained why he wants to ‘have his side of the story heard now’.

Giovanni Pernice:

“I think it’s the right time to do so because… it’s been a year of difficulty. It’s been difficult to read every day in the newspaper things that were simply not true and not be able to talk because both of us, both of the parties really were asked to maintain the confidentiality of the process. I wanted to keep professional [and] finally the results are out and I’m able to talk about what happened… and put the record straight when it comes [to] my side of the story.” 

Last month the BBC concluded its investigation into how Amanda Abbington was treated on the celebrity dancing contest. The broadcaster “upheld some, but not all” of the actress’s complaints. Abbington, known for her role in Sherlock, withdrew from the BBC One show last year, citing “personal reasons.”

She later claimed that she was subjected to a “toxic environment” and “inappropriate, mean, nasty bullying”, primarily pointing the finger at her professional dance partner Giovanni Pernice. While there were no findings relating to physical aggression, it is understood that complaints of verbal bullying and harassment were upheld.

Giovanni Pernice and Amanda Abbington / Strictly Come Dancing / BBC / 2020

On the findings, Giovanni said: “The results are out there, in terms of we’ve both got the results. It’s important because from my point of view, I’m relieved [about] the fact that the most serious allegations were thrown out. Yes, six [have] been upheld but 11 haven’t been upheld and again, the most serious were not.” 

“The other allegation was me being frustrated, which I recognise… This is one of the six that was upheld, the behaviour… You know how difficult it is to learn a new dance each week. Dancing is difficult. Dancing it’s a new thing… So, I get frustrated, the celebrity gets frustrated, and trust me when I say every single person on Strictly Come Dancing or Dancing with the Stars, in the world would get frustrated because you feel the pressure… You want to perform perfectly on the Saturday night. So, frustration is something that when you want to be good, it happens.” 

The Beeb apologised to Abbington in September and admitted that steps it took to address the issues at the time were not adequate. The corporation has put into place more robust duty of care protocols for the show following Abbington’s complaint and an incident involving another contestant, Zara McDermott, who was kicked by her professional partner, Graziano Di Prima.

Giovanni Pernice:

“I do care about my job and when you have somebody in your hands like Amanda, which in my opinion she was brilliant. She was unbelievable at dancing, it’s normal that I tried to get the best out of my partner. In my opinion, I’m a bit upset because we couldn’t make it all the way to the final. So, my job is to try to take everything out of my partner and Amanda was one of those that… ‘wow’…

“It’s actually in the public domain that I’m a strict teacher, I recognise that myself. I’ve been on the show for nine years, which means you know exactly who Giovanni is and the way he teaches. So, in that time if you want to achieve greatness, I think this is the right way to do it.” 

Strictly Come Dancing’s Giovanni Pernice co-hosts an adrenaline-fuelled Zumba® class in London / 2022

He then went on to say that he thought they were “fine” and that Amanda had told him “Giovanni, you are an amazing teacher”. He said there had “never been sort of a difficulty of, ‘Please don’t say this to me.'” 

“First of all, the investigation didn’t say I was a bully. Which is exactly why I feel relieved now and it’s important to put that straight because bully is a big word… and there’s a difference between being a bully and caring about what you do. Again, it’s very different.” 

Asked what his take is on Amanda’s bullying complaints and environment in the rehearsal room, Giovanni said that he felt they had ended on good terms and said his last text messages were positive with the actress going for medical treatment for a potential cancer scare: “The last message that I had with Amanda was ‘Please let me know how the scan goes. I want to help you.’ The last message I sent to her [said] ‘I will find you a doctor. Please, let’s sort this out because this is more important than any steps.’ This was the last conversation and last message with Amanda.” 

“I’m glad eleven allegations have been thrown [out], at the beginning there were very serious allegations, threatening her and abusing her, and all of this has been taken out, which is the most important thing.”

Discussing the BBC apology to Amanda, Giovanni said: “If they felt that way, it’s their decision but I agree with the BBC that it’s good Amanda came forward to talk … It’s important that if you don’t feel right, it’s important that you talk to somebody and I’m glad that she did. I’m glad that Amanda came forward.”

“I was actually glad when the whole thing finished, yes it took longer than it should have [taken] but I’m glad that we have a report that says what isn’t there. I’m not against the fact that the investigation started in the first place because everybody, if they’ve got problems, they should go and talk to production in this case. Because I thought she did the right thing and I’m glad that the investigation is finished and we got a result…

“There is so much that’s not true in these things and again, the report is there. We both have a report, we both have results. The most important thing is to accept what the results are and move on with our lives because otherwise we’re going to end up in a circle that’s never going to finish.” 

Giovanni Pernice has spoken about his ‘Strictly controversy’ on Lorraine / ITV / 2024

Now a pro-dancer on Dancing With The Stars in Italy he was sked if he will return to the UK’s Strictly, Giovanni responded: “I think I am just very very focused on dancing in Italy… Who knows? Never say never.” 

Amanda Abbington’s lawyer gave this statement to Lorraine:

‘Mr Pernice’s claim that ‘everything in the rehearsal room worked perfectly’ is false and delusional, and underlines the toxic culture Ms Abbington endured on Strictly Come Dancing. The BBC’s own investigation concluded that Mr Pernice was in breach of multiple BBC Policies, including repeated breaches of the Anti-Bullying and Harassment Policy. Mr Pernice was spoken to by the BBC on several occasions about his misconduct – but his behaviour only continued.”

Giovanni was a hugely popular professional dancer with viewers and many of them took to attacking Amanda Abbington on social media declaring she was simply an actress with an ego who didn’t like the tough, hard work and harsh style that a pro-dancer may well use to get the best out of an amateur ballroom learner on Strictly, this even resulted in death threats to her.

Lorraine weekdays from 9am on ITV1, ITVX, STV & STV Player