Giovanni Pernice’s former Strictly partner Laura Whitmore breaks her silence after Amanda Abbington probe was completed

Giovanni Pernice's former Strictly partner Laura Whitmore breaks her silence after Amanda Abbington probe was completed

As someone who has spent years navigating the complexities of workplace dynamics and investigations, I can empathize with both parties involved in this situation. On one hand, it is disheartening to hear about instances where high standards are not met, and individuals experience distress during their time on a beloved show like Strictly Come Dancing. On the other hand, I understand the importance of thorough investigations and upholding confidentiality for all parties involved.


Previously paired professional dancer, Giovanni Pernice, and broadcasting personality, Laura Whitmore, have voiced their thoughts following the revelation of the investigation findings concerning Amanda Abbington on Monday.

In a ruling, it was confirmed that six out of Amanda’s accusations against Giovanni were valid – following a string of bullying accusations she had leveled against him while they both appeared on the program last year.

The Corporation expressed an apology to the actress portraying Sherlock Holmes, aged 50, who reported feeling validated following the investigation, even though Giovanni was acquitted on eleven out of seventeen accusations.

In 2016, I teamed up with Giovanni on a popular show, and during that time, I found myself in an unfortunate situation where his conduct was deemed inappropriate by both myself and others involved. Subsequently, I had the opportunity to share my perspective on these events with the BBC as they conducted their investigations into the matter.

In 2016, she initially voiced her worries about the show, and in August of this year, she leveled accusations against the BBC for what she perceived as them manipulating or confusing her regarding her encounter with Giovanni, a term often used to describe a form of psychological control.

Giovanni Pernice's former Strictly partner Laura Whitmore breaks her silence after Amanda Abbington probe was completed

Giovanni Pernice's former Strictly partner Laura Whitmore breaks her silence after Amanda Abbington probe was completed

In 2018, Laura openly expressed that her experience on Strictly alongside Giovanni wasn’t pleasurable. She exited the competition during week seven, expressing feelings of being shattered and confessing that she shed tears daily.

After the investigation concluded, she voiced her thoughts on her Instagram Story, stating, “I wish this experience serves as a reminder for others that no one deserves to endure abusive treatment at their job.

Online, facts can easily get distorted, but in a nutshell, complaints were validated, an apology was issued, and the individual involved is no longer associated with the broadcasting channel.

In July, it was verified that Laura had discussed with the BBC about the “unsuitable” actions of Giovanni concerning Strictly Come Dancing.

Six years ago, she asserted that she previously voiced her worries to the BBC and held discussions about their experiences on Strictly Come Dancing with half a dozen ex-contestants.

Hey there! As a die-hard fan, I couldn’t keep quiet any longer about the latest buzz in the media. Though I had planned to stay mum until the BBC review was finalized, I can’t ignore the misinformation floating around. So here I am, eager to clear up the confusion and lend my support by sharing the truth! 🤗💬

I was invited to discuss an issue concerning inappropriate behavior, similar to mine from the same individual, with six individuals who prefer to remain anonymous due to their wish to avoid media scrutiny. This conversation took place with the BBC.

Back in 2016, I voiced some doubts. At the time, I believed these worries were unique to me, but it turns out I was mistaken about that.

Giovanni Pernice's former Strictly partner Laura Whitmore breaks her silence after Amanda Abbington probe was completed
Giovanni Pernice's former Strictly partner Laura Whitmore breaks her silence after Amanda Abbington probe was completed
Giovanni Pernice's former Strictly partner Laura Whitmore breaks her silence after Amanda Abbington probe was completed
Giovanni Pernice's former Strictly partner Laura Whitmore breaks her silence after Amanda Abbington probe was completed

The purpose here is to highlight a behavioral pattern that I feel should change. My evidence comes from corroborating others’ experiences. It’s unfortunate that it often requires such instances for voices to be acknowledged.

I don’t seek any specific outcome, but I yearn for acknowledgment that the incidents which transpired in the rehearsal studios during my tenure on Strictly Come Dancing were unacceptable, and assurance that such occurrences will not reoccur in the future.

Due to the fact that I haven’t filed an official grievance yet, and I’m only offering proof to back up the inquiry, not every piece of correspondence will be shared with everyone who’s part of the case.

To clarify some confusion, false information has been disseminated through media outlets. Let’s make things clear. Blaming victims should cease if we aim for progress and improvement.

“I’ve made an effort to express myself appropriately. Although the BBC and other media outlets are striving to improve, it’s crucial that we voice our opinions in order to facilitate progress.

Last year, Amanda, who was Giovanni’s most recent famous dance partner, ended her participation in Strictly because of personal issues. Later reports suggested that she had requested access to the rehearsal videos following the competition, as her experience had reportedly caused PTSD.

Reports indicated that Amanda, Ranvir Singh, and Laura held a heartfelt meeting where they shared experiences from working together with Giovanni on the program. This discussion led the BBC to initiate an investigation into Giovanni’s behavior on set.

2018 saw Laura expressing that she hadn’t found pleasure in participating alongside Giovanni on Strictly Come Dancing. She departed the contest during week seven, confessing to feel emotionally shattered, and revealed that tears were a daily occurrence for her.

The Irish host found it awkward and uncomfortable when she was teamed up with Georgia May Foote’s former partner shortly after their breakup – a situation that didn’t sit well with her.

At one point, while contributing to The Huffington Post, Laura expressed: “I’m passionate about dancing; I even won first place twice. However, amidst this, I found myself in the midst of a break-up that didn’t involve me. Once more, I was labeled as a ‘potential love interest’, despite having no connection to it.

Initially, I was paired with a dance partner who made me very uneasy, and ultimately, I ended up feeling shattered, crying daily. By the conclusion, I was truly fractured, not just emotionally but also physically.

Following the news that Amanda might sue The BBC, due to potential income losses and damages, occurred as six of her accusations against Giovanni were validated.

The Corporation issued an apology to the actress, who expressed a sense of validation after the investigation, even though her previous partner in Strictly Come Dancing was found not guilty on eleven out of seventeen accusations.

However, adding another layer to the Strictly controversy, a source informed The Sun last evening: ‘She endured considerable hardship and saw job opportunities vanish after speaking up, and is now contemplating legal action against the BBC for potential compensation for damages and lost income.’

Amanda experienced immense suffering, received an official diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and believes that the BBC failed to uphold its guidelines for ensuring proper care by not safeguarding her earlier.

It’s tough to give an exact amount, but if everything works out favorably for her, the potential reward might reach as high as £300,000.

Mr. Pernice considers the results of the investigation a triumph, given that he shared his experiences with the impact of the bullying inquiry on him.

Yesterday concluded a six-month investigation into a celebrity, currently appearing on the Italian adaptation of the program, by the BBC. The results of their inquiry, now disclosed to Mr. Pernice and Ms. Abbington, have been made public.

After being acquitted on 11 out of 17 charges, Mr. Pernice shared his struggles with TopMob, saying he was distressed as he read multiple stories, all while attempting to uphold the BBC’s procedural honesty.

Last year during the fifth week of the series, his previous collaborator unexpectedly left the program, mentioning private matters as the cause. Subsequently, they leveled accusations towards the dancer, claiming that he was both unkind and harsh in his behavior.

After wrapping up the investigation that largely cleared him, Mr. Pernice shared with TopMob that he felt “relieved” and expressed, “It’s great that the examination has at last concluded.

Most accusations were dismissed during the review process. This past year has been quite challenging, as I’ve had to endure one tale after another without responding, maintaining the respect for the review’s integrity that the BBC requested from all parties involved.

I had a wonderful experience during my stint on Strictly, creating unforgettable moments. However, my attention is now entirely devoted to Dancing with the Stars in Italy, where I’m teamed up with Bianca, providing her my full support.

I want to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has stood by me during these challenging times. Frankly, I wouldn’t have been able to make it through without the love, faith, and support of my loved ones, acquaintances, and well-wishers.

Although the accusations about Mr. Pernice being physically aggressive were not substantiated by the bosses, they did validate some of Ms. Abbington’s claims about verbal bullying and harassment.

According to Ms Abbington, the BBC concurred that on certain occasions, his feedback seemed excessively critical towards her.

According to a source familiar with Italian celebrity, Gio Pernice expressed his satisfaction yesterday following the dismissal of recent events, as he’s had a challenging period over the past few months.

According to sources, TopMob was informed that Ms. Abbington alleged incidents of inappropriate language from Giovanni, insufficient feedback during their fall rehearsals, and an instance where her partner accidentally stepped on her toe.

One said: ‘Giovanni has never tried to say he isn’t a hard taskmaster but he isn’t a bully.’

People close to the charismatic Giovanni in Sicily claim that he devoted considerable effort to offering guidance to Amanda, who herself acknowledged being challenging or difficult.

One stated, ‘Gio consistently sought understanding with Amanda, and despite her acknowledging her own challenging nature, Gio made every effort to work around it. Even after she left due to health issues, Gio continued to assist her.’

Over the past nine months, Giovanni has been through a tough time, yet he continues to persevere. In his own words, although his time on Strictly Come Dancing in the UK may have come to an end, his dancing career is far from over. He remains determined and maintains that he hasn’t done anything wrong.

‘It all seems such a huge waste of time.’

The investigation concluded that there was no proof of any inappropriate sexual conduct, yet despite this, Ms. Abbington expressed a sense of validation based on the results.

Ms Abbington expressed that even though she faced such despicable mistreatment, she has never once regretted speaking up. Today’s apology from the BBC serves as validation of her initial complaint. This validation isn’t only for me, but also for the others who have reached out to share their own experiences on Strictly Come Dancing, expressing concerns about their own encounters.

I hope that those who found it hard to share their experiences will now feel empowered, knowing they’ll be heard and trusted.

She added that she is ‘considering’ a proposal from the BBC to meet with senior management.

Ms Abbington additionally expressed: “I deeply appreciate this apology. Similarly, it’s significant to me that the BBC acknowledges that the measures established to assist and safeguard me, as well as previous contestants, were found to be insufficient.

It’s crucial at this point for the BBC to apply what they’ve learned and fulfill their pledged changes, so no one else endures a similar hardship as myself and others have.

In April, Giovanni decided to leave Strictly after the BBC announced they were initiating an investigation. He had received an offer for a fresh contract to appear in the 2024 series, marking its 20th anniversary, and he was all set to put his signature on it.

At present, he can be seen dancing alongside singer-actress Bianca Guaccero in the Italian adaptation of Dancing with the Stars, titled Ballando con le Stelle.

During a recent discussion, the BBC’s head content officer acknowledged that certain accusations under their anti-bullying and harassment policy were found to be valid. However, she was unable to disclose more information regarding the specific allegations Amanda Abbington made about her experience on Strictly Come Dancing.

As a trusted lifestyle advisor, I can share that our team has addressed several instances concerning our anti-bullying and harassment guidelines. While not every complaint was substantiated, some indeed were, as per our thorough investigation process.

‘I’m not able to go into further detail on that, and there are very good reasons for that.

As someone deeply committed to maintaining transparency, let me emphasize the importance of confidentiality in our complaint resolution process. I firmly believe that this aspect is not just desirable but essential for a fair and effective process. Confidentiality should be upheld with utmost respect for all parties involved.

Absolutely, while we aim to address concerns effectively, we are equally committed to maintaining transparency about our complaint handling procedures. Given the extensive media attention and public curiosity surrounding this specific situation, we find it necessary to keep everyone well-informed.

It’s crucial for us to maintain an open and honest approach regarding that process. That’s why we’ve made a public announcement about it.

According to their announcement, the BBC has finished investigating the grievances that Amanda Abbington lodged against Giovanni Pernice.

We handle all claims of bullying and harassment with utmost importance, and the thoroughness of this investigation is a direct result of its intricate details and our commitment to carrying out a comprehensive and reliable procedure.

In essence, Strictly Come Dancing is a program designed for all ages, and we hold it to the utmost quality. Although the competition may be challenging, intense, and taxing, our ultimate aim is for the show to be a celebration and a source of personal growth.

‘It is a great shame if this hasn’t been the case for everyone who has appeared on the show.

‘We have assessed the complaints and we have upheld some, but not all, of the complaints made. 

We’d like to express our sincere apologies to Amanda Abbington, and our heartfelt gratitude for her bravery in speaking up and participating. We understand that this was not a simple decision or action.

Initially, the production team made efforts to resolve the problems as they perceived them, but unfortunately, those measures fell short of what was required.

Giovanni Pernice's former Strictly partner Laura Whitmore breaks her silence after Amanda Abbington probe was completed
Giovanni Pernice's former Strictly partner Laura Whitmore breaks her silence after Amanda Abbington probe was completed
Giovanni Pernice's former Strictly partner Laura Whitmore breaks her silence after Amanda Abbington probe was completed

As a lifestyle expert, I can’t stress enough the significance of our recent efforts to fortify the already robust protocols we have in place. These enhancements are crucial in maintaining a harmonious and safe environment for all.

In gathering its conclusions, the BBC received input from several people. We’d like to express our gratitude to those who took part.

The BBC has already made significant efforts to improve the well-being of everyone involved in the show, and details about these measures can be found accompanying this announcement.

Since the ongoing UK series began earlier this month, the BBC has emphasized their new, improved care provisions that were implemented this year. These changes encompass assigning specific personnel to assist contestants and having supervisors stationed in every training room.

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2024-10-01 13:24

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