Giovanni Pernice is finding himself at the center of controversy following allegations made by his former dance partner, Amanda Abbington, on Strictly Come Dancing. The professional dancer has openly addressed the claims of bullying and verbal harassment leveled against him, marking the first time he has spoken publicly since the investigation concluded.
Abbington, best known for her role on Sherlock, withdrew from the popular dance competition last year, citing severe health issues stemming from the stressful environment during rehearsals. She alleged multiple incidents of verbal bullying, claiming Pernice's behavior had left her with symptoms of PTSD. Subsequently, she filed comprehensive complaints with the BBC, which underscored concerns about her experiences.
The BBC investigated Abbington's claims and acknowledged some elements of bullying but concluded there was no evidence of physical aggression or serious misconduct on Pernice's part. The findings upheld six allegations, yet dismissed eleven others, including those pertaining to verbal abuse of a threatening nature.
During his interview on Lorraine, Pernice described his immediate reaction to Abbington's allegations as one of disbelief, stating he felt like “punching the television” after hearing her claims were of sexual nature. He emphatically denied any misconduct, insisting, "the allegations were just to destroy me." He expressed deep concern over how the claims could potentially tarnish his career, particularly because his fanbase consists largely of children and women.
Pernice recounted their working relationship as one filled with camaraderie, claiming he and Abbington enjoyed playful banter during rehearsals. He recalled instances when they jokingly exchanged rude remarks stating, "We had jokes together. I was under the impression we were both having fun." He remarked, adding, "It was just banter. I was baffled why it turned sour." He mentioned how production staff had even approached them about their joking manner, to which Abbington reassured the staff it was all taken lightly.
Despite his reassurances, the allegations have undoubtedly taken their toll. Pernice shared on the program how other couples on the show also experienced frustrations, saying, "It wasn’t just us." He mentioned other contestants had come to him expressing concerns about Abbington's discontent during their practices. He emphasized he had retained messages from Abbington where she expressed gratitude for his patience, leading him to believe they shared mutual respect.
A spokesperson for Pernice released statements following the investigation, highlighting he was “pleased” the report found no evidence of threatening behavior, indicating relief at the validation of his character as he was cleared of serious allegations. Describing his teaching approach, Pernice has labeled himself as strict, which, according to him, is necessary for success. He maintains, "If you want to achieve greatness, this is the right way to do it." But critics argue he misdiagnoses the line between discipline and aggression.
Abbington did not stay silent following Pernice's comments. She decried his statements as delusional and emphasized the significant issues within Strictly Come Dancing, attributing her negative experiences to what she described as the show's toxic culture. Her representatives said, "Mr. Pernice’s claims about their relationship are false," and they pushed for greater accountability concerning her grievances. Abbington's statement indicated her frustrations with how the BBC handled her initial complaints, especially concerning the leakage of confidential information.
Further complicate matters, Abbington revealed plans to take additional steps concerning specific allegations, including accusations of Pernice making profane gestures toward her. Those actions, she argued, contributed to her feeling unsafe during their rehearsals together. Their conflicting accounts paint starkly different pictures of their partnership, with Pernice maintaining everything felt right, and Abbington emphatically countering they were not on equal footing.
Despite the tension between them, Pernice openly expressed sorrow at Abbington's withdrawal from the competition, believing they could have thrived as partners had circumstances been different. He has called for the need for strict monitoring during rehearsals, proposing recording sessions to protect both partners involved. This follows broader changes within Strictly, where safety measures have been heightened following various allegations against different participants.
Meanwhile, the fallout from these allegations continues to echo throughout the dance community as similar claims of misconduct ripple through Strictly Come Dancing. Dancer Graziano Di Prima has already departed the show amid allegations of inappropriate conduct, and actress Laura Whitmore has spoken publicly about unwanted behavior on set.
Pernice's future on Strictly Come Dancing remains uncertain. He has not been included in this season's lineup, citing his wish to continue pursuing dance opportunities elsewhere, including joining the Italian version of the show.
While the jury is still out on the full ramifications of these allegations, one thing is clear: this dispute exposes not only the complex dynamics of dancing partnerships but also broader societal issues surrounding bullying and harassment within public-facing industries. The fallout from this incident will likely lead to changes both on Strictly and within other prominent entertainment entities moving forward.
The dance floor may be glamorous, but the realities behind the scenes can often be fraught with peril - as this situation exemplifies. Like many complex relationships, only time will tell how these stories interlace, unravel, and perhaps inspire real change.
