Inside Amanda's 'tearful' secret talks with Giovanni's ex Strictly partners

Amanda Abbington feels 'vindicated' after the BBC published their verdict on their Strictly Come Dancing investigation.

As the six-month probe was ongoing, the Sherlock actress reportedly held 'tearful' secret talks with former contestants who were paired with Giovanni Pernice on the show, just like she was in 2023. She alleged that during her time in the dancing competition, Giovanni had subjected her to abuse which left her suffering from PTSD.

Six of the 17 claims put forward by Amanda were upheld, including complaints of verbal bullying and harassment. However, the Italian dancer, who has always denied the accusations he faced, was found to not be physically aggressive. Giovanni, 34, has since addressed the outcome, telling his Instagram followers that he's 'happy' that 'none of the serious allegations have been upheld.

Meanwhile, Amanda, 50, told Newsnight's Victoria Derbyshire that she had met up with several of Giovanni's former Strictly partners and that things had become quite emotional.

READ MORE: BBC Strictly LIVE updates: Amanda Abbington interview sparks furious reaction from Giovanni Pernice

Amanda claimed that she was put in contact with these former partners through mutual friends and 'invited them over'. She told Victoria: "We just wanted to make sure that we weren't on our own and thinking this had just happened to us. Everyone I spoke to all said the same thing, it wasn't pleasant and it wasn't what everyone else was going through in the other [rehearsal] rooms."

Then, when asked how this meeting went, Amanda revealed that the group had 'cried and burst into tears'. Amanda continued: "We all said the same thing, it was managing a room and having to look after our own mental and physical well-being within that room."

Although Amanda did not name the contestants in question, back in March 2024, it was reported that Amanda had held a 'tearful summit' with Good Morning Britain's Ranvir Singh and former Love Island hot Laura Whitmore, during which they allegedly discussed their respective 'difficult experiences' working with Giovanni.

A source told The Sun: "They met in person to share their experiences. Their meeting was emotional but heartwarming. They now know they are there to support each other after their tough times with Giovanni. Tears were shed."

This week, broadcaster Laura broke her silence on the BBC verdict in an online post, writing: "I was trying not to comment on recent press speculation until the BBC review is complete but feel there is a lot of misinformation in the press and I want to help and show support by setting the record straight.

"I was asked to speak to the BBC along with six people that I know of (who deserve anonymity as they don't want to be dragged through the press), about inappropriate behaviour they experienced similar to mine with the same individual.

"I initially raised concerns back in 2016. I thought my experience was specific to me but I've since learned I was wrong. The aim of this is to show a pattern of behaviour that I believe needs to stop. My evidence is to support other people's experiences. It's a shame it takes this for someone to be heard."

She continued: "I am not looking for anything just an acceptance that what happened to me in the rehearsal rooms during my time on BBC Strictly was wrong and that it won't happen to anyone else again. Because I have not made an official complaint, and am providing evidence of my experience to support the investigation, not all the communication will be passed on to all parties involved.

"Misinformation is being put into the press so I want to set the record straight. Victim blaming must stop or we will never get better. I've tried to speak up in the correct way. I know the BBC and all outlets continue to do their best to be better, but for that to happen we must speak up."

Meanwhile, Ranvir has also made her thoughts on the matter clear, during a conversation with Good Morning Britain co-host Susanna Reid. Ranvir shared: "I was pleased to see that the BBC investigation had concluded it had been going on for some time and that it ended with an apology to Amanda. I was pleased to see that."

She added: "I think that it can only be a good thing that these extra welfare measures have now been put in place on the back of this investigation because ultimately, Strictly is a show that everyone should be having a good time on. It's entertaining, it's joyful and everybody should be having a good time whether they work on the show, and the audience at home should feel comfortable that it's what everyone is experiencing."

Following the recent verdict, the BBC issued the following statement: "Strictly Come Dancing is a family show and we rightly expect very high standards. While competition can be tough, rigorous and demanding, we want the show to ultimately be a joyous and transformative experience.

"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. 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."

Appearing pleased by the verdict, Giovanni took to Instagram on the evening of Sunday, September 30, telling fans: "It was difficult because, you know, reading stuff that were untrue, wasn’t the nicest time of my life lets be honest. But today I'm happy because, you know, at the beginning there were very very serious allegations thrown out at me but as in today, none of the serious allegations have been upheld. All the threatening, abusive, harassment behaviour allegations have not been upheld."

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