BBC chiefs are set to unveil the findings from their four-month investigation into Amanda Abbington‘s explosive allegations that her Strictly Come Dancing dance partner Giovanni Pernice bullied her during training.
Sherlock actress Amanda, 50, made a series of accusations about her pro Giovanni’s teaching methods and has described his behaviour as ‘unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean’. He strongly denies all of the claims.
In one interview, Amanda compared the dance show to ‘the trenches’ telling Channel 4 News that BBC producers had been left ‘horrified’ by clips that also allegedly exhibited ‘humiliating behaviour of a sexual nature’
The inquiry investigating what went on during training has been completed and is ready to be published.
A source told The Sun that the BBC plans to notify all sides of the outcome of the review ‘early next week’ but that only a few details are likely to be made public with the full report being sent to Amanda, Giovanni and their legal teams.
The source said executives at the Beebs are hoping that this will ‘draw a line under the matter’ but the source said ‘it’s very unlikely it will do that’ and they ‘could be dealing with this for months and months’.
Giovanni Pernice and Amanda Abbington were dance partners on Season 21 of Strictly Come Dancing in 2023 before she abruptly quit in October citing ‘personal reasons’
Amanda pictured looking emotional and stressed during the training sessions for the show
They added: ‘Whatever the outcome, neither Giovanni nor Amanda are likely to be happy so the BBC are bracing themselves for potential appeals.
‘Amanda and Giovanni have very well-paid lawyers who will study every cough and spit of the report before advising them on what to do next.’
The publication previously reported that Amanda is ‘deeply disappointed’ with BBC bosses over fears they’re ‘protecting’ Giovanni amid the bullying probe.
It was also recently revealed that she found BBC bosses line of questioning ‘highly offensive’ amid the show’s ongoing misconduct probe.
Last week, it was reported that the BBC has given the ‘green light’ for Giovanni to take part in the Italian version of Strictly, Ballando con le Stelle (Dancing with the Stars).
Host Milly Carlucci hinted the BBC’s approval ‘should tell us something’ about the nature of the bullying allegations against him.
The report investigating what went on during training has been completed and is ready to be published ‘early next week’, a source said
In one interview, Amanda compared the dance show to ‘the trenches’ telling Channel 4 News that BBC producers had been left ‘horrified’ by clips that also allegedly exhibited ‘humiliating behaviour of a sexual nature’
She said: ‘We were in very close contact with the BBC to understand the extent of these [accusations].
‘If there had been proof, as it were, the perpetrator of the Agatha Christie-style crime would have come out by now. It hasn’t come out.
‘I don’t want to get into their affairs but we have been monitoring the matter with the BBC and they have given us a complete green light in having Giovanni with us.
‘That should also tell us something, because the BBC seems to me to be a very serious company that wouldn’t have said to one of its partners, “Go ahead, it’s no problem”.’
