Strictly Come Dancing ‘feels different’ after Giovanni Pernice verdict, says judge

Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood has spoken out after the BBC concluded its investigation into Giovanni Pernice’s conduct after allegations made by Amanda Abbington.

The broadcaster issued an apology to Abbington, 50, and upheld some of her complaints against Pernice, 33, but cleared him of the most serious ‘physical aggression’ allegations in a review published this week.

On today’s Lorraine, Horwood, 59, was asked about his response to the verdict and he said there was a ‘different feeling’ on Strictly Come Dancing and wanted to now ‘move’ on and celebrate the show’s 20th anniversary.

Referencing the BBC investigation, presenter Christine Lampard asked: ‘What is the feeling among the Strictly camp now post-review? Has the landscape changed? Do you feel a difference?’

Horwood replied: ‘Yes, there is a difference. It is like a weight has been lifted off our shoulders as it was always hanging in the air.

‘I was just pleased this investigation is over so we can move on and really celebrate our 20 years on screen. It is a wonderful, wonderful show.’

Speaking about the BBC’s increased welfare measures introduced after the allegations, he continued: ‘It’s awful when something like this comes along. Of course, the BBC has put loads of things in place like chaperones.

‘It is a very good thing and it brought to light that there should be someone in there taking notes. I think that’s great.

‘So, let’s move forward, let’s move on and let’s celebrate Strictly for all the good it has done over the last 20 years.’

After the investigation’s outcome was made public, Abbington spoke to BBC Newsnight and said it had been ‘one of the worst years of her life’ and had received ‘hundreds’ of death and rape threats.

The Mr Selfridge actor said: ‘I’ve been through a lot, women go through a lot, but it has been a very unpleasant, turbulent, relentless time in my life.

‘I’ve had to deal with a myriad of horrible things.’

Abbington said the threats had ‘started up again’ since the publication of the BBC review on Monday.

She said she has been receiving threats including ‘ hope you die of cancer’ but had ‘no regrets’ about lodging complaints against Pernice.

‘The death threats and the rape threats and the abuse I get are horrible and soul-destroying and heart-breaking,’ Abbington said.

‘But I do get women coming up to me in the street saying “You’re paving the way for my daughter to work in a safe environment and not feel threatened or in any way feel that they can’t speak out”.’

In his response to the probe’s result, Pernice said in an Instagram post he was ‘happy’ he had been cleared of the serious allegations after a ‘difficult’ few months.

‘Today is a day when we can all reflect because, I appreciate that dancing is a very difficult thing to do,’ he said.

‘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.’

It’s understood that 11 of the 17 allegations made against Pernice were rejected.

It is thought those that were upheld were when he became frustrated and gave negative feedback to Abbington, and also included incidents such as swearing.

The news agency understands there were no findings of physical aggression.