Actress Amanda Abbingdon has known as a BBC apology over complaints of bullying on Strictly Come Dancing a “vindication”.
A BBC investigation into Abbingdon’s claims “upheld some, but not all” of her complaints about skilled dancer Giovanni Pernice’s behaviour throughout her time on Strictly.
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Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice in Strictly Come Dancing in 2023. Pic: BBC/Man Levy
The Sherlock actress, who pulled out of the BBC One present final 12 months citing “personal reasons”, later claimed she was topic to a “toxic environment” and “inappropriate, mean, nasty bullying”.
In an announcement, the 50-year-old performer mentioned: “My decision to come forward and complain about Giovanni Pernice’s conduct towards me was not an easy thing to do. 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 additionally obtained rape and homicide threats and a bomb risk was despatched to my administrative center. My household and kids have additionally 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 that have felt unable to talk out now will probably be extra assured that they are going to be listened to and believed.”
She mentioned she’s going to now be contemplating whether or not to fulfill with senior administration on the BBC, and hoped the company “makes the changes it promised”.
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Giovanni Pernice on the present in 2022. Pic: PA
Pernice, 34, has beforehand denied the allegations, and earlier this month introduced he was becoming a member of the Italian “equivalent of Dancing With The Stars”.
In an announcement summarising its findings, the broadcaster mentioned: “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 household present and we rightly anticipate very excessive requirements. Whereas competitors will be robust, rigorous and demanding, we wish the present to finally be a joyous and transformative expertise. It’s a nice disgrace if this hasn’t been the case for everybody who has appeared on the present.
“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.”
Whereas it mentioned the Strictly manufacturing group “took steps to address the issues as they understood them” on the time, the company admitted “ultimately these were not enough”.
The BBC additionally thanked “a number of individuals” other than Abbingdon who contributed to the investigation.
It then listed varied new responsibility of care measures, launched to guard contestants, together with the presence of a manufacturing group member in coaching and rehearsals, two newly created manufacturing roles (superstar welfare producer {and professional} dancer welfare producer) and extra coaching for the skilled dancers, manufacturing group and crew.
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Giovanni Pernice and Nadiya Bychkova carry out in the course of the Strictly Come Dancing Professionals UK Tour. File pic: PA
The BBC say 15 coaching room observers are actually in place for rehearsals (together with breaks, warm-ups and relaxation durations) and it has carried out “weekly welfare meetings”, which embody a overview of day by day coaching logs.
As well as, there’s additionally a “pre-series psychological review”, workshops on the tradition and anticipated behaviour of the present and a proper exit interview for all outgoing contestants.
Strictly’s twentieth anniversary season is now in its fourth week, with Olympic swimmer Tom Dean changing into the primary contestant to depart the present on Sunday.
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