Amanda Abbington Strictly allegations explained – timeline of Giovanni Pernice investigation

Amanda Abbington Strictly allegations explained – timeline of Giovanni Pernice investigation

As a seasoned film critic with over three decades of experience, I’ve witnessed the highs and lows of the entertainment industry. The recent controversy surrounding Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice on Strictly Come Dancing has certainly caught my attention.


During its weekly broadcasts on Saturdays, Strictly Come Dancing has faced criticism lately due to accusations about inappropriate conduct by certain professional dancers towards their celebrity counterparts.

Previous year, actress Amanda Abbington entered the roster for Strictly, teaming up with Giovanni Pernice. However, their partnership exited the contest prematurely after five weeks, leaving behind few details as to why.

After some time passed, Pernice refuted allegations concerning “abusive or intimidating conduct” leveled by Abbington, leading the BBC to initiate an inquiry.

The BBC has now concluded its review and has upheld some, but not all, of Abbington’s claims.

Since then, Abbington has brought forth additional accusations concerning Pernice and their joint rehearsals; however, Pernice firmly refutes these claims. Here’s a recap of what transpired.

Timeline of Strictly Come Dancing’s Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice controversy

When were Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice partnered on Strictly Come Dancing?

Amanda Abbington Strictly allegations explained – timeline of Giovanni Pernice investigation

In the 2023 season of Strictly Come Dancing, Amanda Abbington teamed up with dance pro Giovanni Pernice, who has been a part of the show’s talented group of professionals for eight years.

Initially participating in the contest, the actress chose to withdraw after only five weeks, explaining her departure as a result of “personal matters”.

She expressed her sincere sadness about having to depart from Strictly, and further clarified that reaching this choice wasn’t taken lightly; however, due to personal matters, she is unfortunately no longer able to carry on.

Working with my fellow competitors was simply delightful. They’re a stunningly dedicated, gifted bunch that I hold dear. I’ll surely miss our time together each Friday and Saturday, as we competed side by side.

I’d like to express my heartfelt gratitude towards the exceptional Production team, along with every individual at Strictly who took such great care of me. They are not just kind and considerate, but truly remarkable people. I’ll surely miss each and every one of them.

I’m utterly disheartened by my inability to move forward any longer. A heartfelt thank you goes out to each one of you who cast their votes and showered me with beautiful messages, words of encouragement, and inspiring support. You all are truly remarkable, I can’t express it enough. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. xxx

What has Amanda Abbington claimed about Giovanni Pernice’s behaviour?

In July 2024, Abbington claimed that Pernice’s conduct towards him on Strictly Come Dancing was “uncalled-for, harsh, unkind, and unfair.

She told The Sun on Sunday: “I couldn’t sit back and let him do that to other people.

Considering the potential negative consequences, I hesitated before filing a complaint. However, I couldn’t bear the thought of others experiencing the same issues on that program, so I decided to take action.

“I am aware of the events that transpired in that room, as it’s all captured on video. I see no issue with others viewing this footage. In fact, it’s crucial for ensuring proper care and accountability.

As a movie enthusiast, I believe that rehearsal rooms ought to be sanctuaries where everyone feels safe and respected. It’s crucial that there is a sense of duty towards care and kindness. Regrettably, during my recent project, this consideration wasn’t extended to me. Despite my efforts to remain cooperative, my attempts were not reciprocated – it simply didn’t feel right.

Amanda Abbington Strictly allegations explained – timeline of Giovanni Pernice investigation

Afterward, Abbington spoke candidly about the rehearsal room on Channel 4 News, labeling it as “unhealthy” or “harmful” towards Krishnan Guru-Murthy during their conversation.

She asserted that following her initial discussion with the production team during the first week of the contest, they regularly examined video recordings of their rehearsals on a weekly basis after she raised her concerns.

She shared that the people responsible for the show expressed their shock, horror, and deep apologies upon viewing the video material.

She went on to say: “It’s harassment and it’s hostile conduct. There were other incidents that were extremely distressing, which you had to handle in the moment due to your gender, as you don’t have many options otherwise.

An amount of approximately 50 hours of video material is being restricted or withheld.

— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) July 24, 2024

What has Giovanni Pernice said in response to Amanda Abington’s claims

After hearing the initial allegations, Pernice publicly denied any accusations of “aggressive and intimidating actions” on his Instagram account.

In his statement, Pernice expressed: “To my cherished followers, just like me, you’ll find these claims about my dance instruction techniques in the press this week to be unexpected.

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2024-10-03 16:04