Actress Amanda Abbington has referred to as a BBC apology over complaints of bullying on Strictly Come Dancing a “vindication”.
A BBC investigation into Abbington’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 yr citing “personal reasons”, later claimed she was topic to a “toxic environment” and “inappropriate, mean, nasty bullying”.
Whereas there have been no findings referring to bodily aggression, it’s understood that complaints of verbal bullying and harassment had been upheld.
Responding to the report, a consultant for Pernice mentioned he was “relieved” the BBC report – which has taken six-months to finish – discovered no proof of threatening or abusive behaviour.
In an announcement, Abbington 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 workplace. 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 likely be extra assured that they are going to be listened to and believed.”
The 50-year-old performer mentioned she is going to now be contemplating whether or not to satisfy 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
Ex-Strictly skilled ‘happy’ and ‘relieved’
Pernice, who didn’t return to bounce on the present this yr, mentioned he was “relieved” the BBC assessment had not discovered “any evidence of threatening or abusive behaviour” by him.
The 34-year-old Italian dancer has beforehand denied the allegations, and earlier this month introduced he was becoming a member of the Italian equal of Dancing With The Stars, Ballando con le Stelle.
In a written assertion, a spokesperson for Giovanni Pernice mentioned: “We are pleased that this six-month review has not found any evidence of threatening or abusive behaviour by Giovanni.
“Giovanni is relieved that the overwhelming majority of allegations out to the BBC haven’t been upheld and appears ahead to persevering with his work on Dancing With The Stars in Italy this season.”
Pernice had danced on Strictly since 2015, lifting the glitterball trophy for the primary time in 2021 alongside EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis. He had appeared in three present finals beforehand.
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Rose Ayling-Ellis and Pernice received Strictly in 2021 Pic: Ray Burmiston/ BBC
‘A joyous and transformative expertise’
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 could be robust, rigorous and demanding, we would like the present to in the end 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.”
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Amanda Abbington. File pic: AP
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” except for Abbington who contributed to the investigation.
It then listed numerous 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 (movie star welfare producer {and professional} dancer welfare producer) and extra coaching for the skilled dancers, manufacturing group and crew.
The BBC say 15 coaching room observers are actually in place for rehearsals (together with breaks, warm-ups and relaxation intervals) and it has carried out “weekly welfare meetings”, which embrace a assessment 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.
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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
‘Open and clear concerning the complaints course of’
She mentioned the company was “trying to balance that with the desire to be open and to be transparent about the way our complaints processes work”.
She added: “So I think it’s really important that we’re as open and transparent as we can be about that process, which is why we’ve issued the statement.”
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Laura Whitmore appeared on the present again in 2016
Earlier complaints
Abbington’s grievance shouldn’t be the one Strictly problem to have been flagged to the BBC.
One other Strictly skilled dancer Graziano Di Prima was beforehand axed from the present after he admitted kicking Strictly accomplice Zara McDermott in coaching as soon as final yr.
Irish TV presenter Laura Whitmore beforehand mentioned she spoke to the Strictly assessment group, and mentioned she was subjected to “inappropriate behaviour”. She was partnered with Pernice in 2016, and was eradicated seventh that yr.
Paralympian Will Bayley had additionally spoken out about responsibility of care points.
Strictly’s twentieth anniversary season is now in its fourth week, with Olympic swimmer Tom Dean turning into the primary contestant to go away the present on Sunday.
