Giovanni Pernice’s comments to Amanda Abbington ‘exposed’ from BBC Strictly probe

Comments that Giovanni Pernice allegedly made to Amanda Abbington have reportedly been exposed, following the BBC’s investigation into the Strictly Come Dancing scandal.

The verdict from the investigation was confirmed yesterday, with the broadcaster issuing an apology to Abbington, 50, and upholding some of her complaints against Pernice, 33, but clearing him of the most serious allegations, with him later telling fans how ‘happy’ he was for it all to be ‘over’.

The actress pulled out of the BBC One show last year citing ‘personal reasons’, and later claimed she was subject to a ‘toxic environment’ and ‘inappropriate, mean, nasty bullying’, sparking the investigation.

Pernice, who is not part of this year’s Strictly professional dancing line-up and has since joined an Italian dance show, previously rejected ‘any claim of threatening or abusive behaviour’.

There were no findings relating to physical aggression in the investigation, but complaints of verbal bullying and harassment were upheld, it is understood.

It has now been claimed that six complaints were upheld by the corporation, including one in which Pernice allegedly told Abbington: ‘You have talent and you’re not using it.’

According to MailOnline, Pernice was allegedly ‘swearing and using what could be described as belittling language,’ with the report apparently stating that it amounted to bullying behaviour.

He also allegedly said: ‘I’m tired of it, if you want to look s*** I don’t care.’

It is reported that Abbington’s complaint that Pernice would get frustrated with her while teaching was also upheld, and allegedly included him saying: ‘You have such talent and you’re not using it.’

It’s also claimed he told her, ‘I don’t know how to ask you anymore,’ and ‘it has been four days now and I don’t know what to do’.

The publication also claims that two complaints of a sexual nature were upheld, one of which allegedly saw Pernice ‘grab his crotch’ and make a lewd remark.

It’s also claimed that he told Abbington that he ‘wanted to f*** her’, after she successfully rehearsed a move during training and he was thrilled.

In a statement published on Monday after the verdict was announced, the BBC said it takes allegations of bullying and harassment ‘very seriously’ and that the review into Abbington’s complaints took time because of their complexity, and for ‘a rigorous and robust process’.

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

‘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.’

The statement added that the BBC production team did take steps to address issues at the time, but, ‘ultimately, these were not enough’.

Following the report, Pernice shared a video on social media, saying: ‘Hello everyone, it’s me. It’s over. It’s finished.

‘Six months, seven months of all of this, seven months of reading everyday things in the newspaper and not being able to respond because I wanted to keep the confidentiality and the privacy of the review, was a difficult time.

‘It was difficult because reading stuff that was untrue, wasn’t the nicest time of my life, let’s be honest.

‘But today I’m happy because at the beginning there were very very serious allegations thrown out at me but as of today, none of the serious allegations have been upheld.

‘All the threatening, abusive, harassment behaviour allegations have not been upheld.

‘And today is a day when we can all reflect because I appreciate that dancing is a very difficult thing to do. It’s a sport, it’s something that is difficult in every possible way and sometimes you get frustrated as a teacher, as a dancer, as a performer, but the only reason why you get frustrated is because you care about what you do.

‘As a professional, as a teacher, I care about, I want to get the best out of my partner, and sometimes I do get frustrated. I think everybody around the world does the same thing, it’s called being professional and I love doing that. Even now with Bianca, I get frustrated, I think it’s a normal thing but then you get out the best and the results come forward.

‘But I’m happy because none of this serious allegation has been upheld.

‘I have to be honest with all of you because without your love, your messages, your support, your constant support, I don’t know if I would be able to even make this message right now.

‘I’m happy because today I can carry on to do what I was born to do, and I love to do which is entertain all of you.

‘This is my life, this is what I do, so I’m always grateful to all of you and just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart, and saying that I love you all and always, always thank you.’

Responding to the report, Abbington also said in a statement yesterday: ‘As the BBC has indicated today in its statement, 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 also received rape and murder threats and a bomb threat was sent to my place of work. My family and children have also 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 who have felt unable to speak out now will be more confident that they will be listened to and believed.

‘The BBC has invited me to meet with senior management and this is something I will now be considering.

‘This apology means a great deal to me. So too does the fact that the BBC have acknowledged the steps that were put in place to support and protect me and past contestants were “not enough”.

‘What matters most now is that lessons have been learned and that the BBC makes the changes they’ve promised, to ensure others don’t experience the same ordeal that I and others like me did.’

Metro.co.uk has approached the BBC, reps for Amanda Abbington and for Giovanni Pernice for comment.