DANCING ON THE EDGE
Strictly’s Giovanni Pernice ‘handed major boost’ in BBC investigation over Amanda Abbington ‘abuse’ allegations
Could the Italian professional have the necessary evidence to clear his name?
DEPARTED Strictly pro Giovanni Pernice may now have an advantage in the BBC bullying case according to recent events.
While it has been reported that other celebrities such as Ranvir Singh and Laura Whitmore were set to join forces with actress Amanda Abbington to lodge complaints with the BBC.
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Insiders now say that the only formal allegations put to Giovanni, after the BBC investigation, were made by Amanda, according to the Mirror.
The Sherlock actress has suggested that ‘five or six’ other people were affected by Giovanni’s behaviour.
But now it seems that either the BBC have ruled that Giovanni, 33, doesn’t have a case to answer for the other celebrities, or that, in the end, said victims didn’t file their complaints.
A BBC source said: “The narrative - certainly from Amanda - is that there has been a tsunami of complainants to the BBC. But the truth of the matter is that Giovanni has only been asked for his response to Amanda’s claims.
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This would suggest two things. One they haven't made a formal complaint in the first place. Or, two, the BBC felt it wasn't serious enough to warrant inclusion in their evidence dossier to put to Giovanni for response."
Indeed this week the Sun revealed that Giovanni Pernice has another trump card up his sleeve that could clear his name.
The 33-year-old is believed to have "bombshell" recorder audio in which Amanda apologizes to him for being a 'nightmare."
In a volatile exchange she confesses to being difficult to work with and thanks Gio for "putting up with her."
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The dialogue lasts for around six and a half minutes, and is thought to have been recorded as part of rehearsal footage by the BBC.
Now the Italian professional is said to be hoping that this message and others like it, will help to clear his name.
Speaking on her Channel 4 interview this week, the actress told Krishnan Guru-Murthy “I know a lot of people went in to speak to them. I’m the official complainer. I think there’s about five or six (other complainants) from what I can gather, but there’s three main people, who’ve made complaints, mine’s the official one.”
In the same interview, Amanda also claimed that she was being blocked by both Giovanni and the BBC from seeing 50 hours of footage, claiming that the Italian pro, “doesn’t want anyone to see.”
According to her, cameras were installed in the rehearsal rooms after she raised concerns about his teaching methods.
But she said the footage was being "blocked" and her lawyer was "not allowed it". She said her lawyer was "trying to get a lift on that" but "he [Pernice] doesn't want anyone to see it, which is quite telling if you've got nothing to hide".
Meanwhile sources close to the BBC have said that they went through the footage with a “fine tooth comb” but are not prepared to hand it over for fear of leaks which could damage the “integrity of the investigation.”
Meanwhile a spokesperson for Giovanni said: A spokesperson for Giovanni said: “We are cooperating fully with the BBC’s review process. All parties have been asked to respect this process and to not speak to the media before it concludes. We will continue to respect the integrity of the investigation and believe it is the right forum for all the evidence to be reviewed.
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