Amanda Abbington Defends Ex-Dance Partner Giovanni Pernice in Shocking Turnabout

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Amanda Abbington has stated that her problems with Giovanni Pernice were not rooted in any personal disagreements, and she genuinely believes him to be an exceptionally skilled dancer.

In the wake of my unexpected departure from Strictly Come Dancing in 2021, I found it necessary to speak up against my dance partner, Giovanni, who was 34 at the time. I accused him of behavior that was not only unnecessary but also cruel and mean.

Or:

Following my sudden exit from Strictly Come Dancing in 2021, I felt compelled to address the unkind and harsh conduct I experienced from my dance partner, Giovanni, who was 34 at the time. I alleged that his behavior was unwarranted and mean-spirited.

Immediately, Giovanni dismissed the assertions, and it was determined by an investigation conducted by BBC in September that her accusations of physical violence and intimidating actions were unfounded.

To put it simply, I was overjoyed when her allegations of verbal abuse and intimidation were validated, and the BBC extended a heartfelt apology to her.

In her latest interview, Amanda expressed her wish for Giovanni’s budding relationship with Bianca Guaccero to flourish.

She shared with The Sun, “I hope it softens him somewhat. Perhaps, love could be the solution here, and if he can find peace through loving relationships, he might become a more effective teacher.

Subsequently, the actress commended Giovanni’s dancing abilities, remarking: ‘Indeed, there are various opinions about him, but when it comes to dancing, he is quite exceptional.’

‘I hope she keeps him in line. Behind every great man, there is a great woman.’ 

TopMob has contacted representatives of Giovanni for comment. 

Following the accusations of bullying, Giovanni departed from Strictly and became a part of the cast for the Italian adaptation of Dancing with the Stars, titled Ballando con le Stelle.

He won the show with actress Bianca and they soon got together.    

Elsewhere, Amanda recently confessed that she isn’t sure if people ‘like’ her anymore. 

During a conversation with The Times, Amanda spoke candidly about the fallout from the argument, expressing that she was unfairly portrayed as the antagonist in the situation. However, she made it clear that she holds no remorse for defending herself.

In contrast to Giovanni’s professional life regaining momentum, Amanda immerses herself in a relatively low-key part within the production “This Is Not A” Happy Room. Instead of performing for a grand stage, she captivates a more personal audience in a small theater situated behind a pub in north London.

Amanda expressed that she intends to carry on with acting and possibly transition into directing later on, yet she remains uncertain about the public’s perspective towards her in light of the challenging phase she has gone through recently.

She mentioned: “I’m unsure about how the industry perceives me currently. I’ve been engrossed in dealing with its consequences for a whole year.

It’s unclear if I’ve been rejected or if people dislike me now, but I’m certain that my actions were guided by noble intentions. I have a positive outlook on the days ahead.

Reflecting on our conversation, I found myself reminiscing about the heated situation where Giovanni alleged I was attempting to sabotage his career. However, I firmly stand by my stance that I merely proposed a ‘safe space’ for us to pause and ensure everyone’s well-being, rather than being portrayed as the antagonist. In essence, I felt unfairly labeled as the villain in the scenario.

She commented: ‘Last year was undoubtedly one of the hardest years I’ve ever experienced. The incessant onslaught of mistreatment and ugliness almost pushed me to the brink.’

Even amidst the tough circumstances, Amanda firmly maintains that she has no regrets about speaking up for herself, something she had never done previously. In fact, she feels grateful for having done so, as it reminded her of past experiences of bullying when she was a child.

She shared with The Times: “I hadn’t foreseen the aftermath, but I’m grateful I took that step. I’m happy that I had the courage to assert myself, as it was the first time I’ve ever truly done so.

As someone who endured extensive bullying in my childhood, I felt compelled to act against Giovanni, recognizing all too well how such mistreatment can silence introverted individuals.

She noted that upon making her allegations, she was appreciatively thanked and even hugged by “many” women – quite a shift from the constant online threats she had previously faced.

After overcoming her hardship, Amanda shared that she is genuinely content now and eagerly plans to progress in life. She also mentioned that she has gained significant self-knowledge and is capable of shutting out aspects she previously could not avoid.

Amanda is particularly recognized for her roles as Miss Mardle in Mr. Selfridge and Mary Watson in the BBC’s portrayal of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s renowned detective tales, namely Sherlock.

Last year, she starred in a show at the Park Theatre in North London called When It Happens To You.

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2025-03-22 19:58