Amanda Abbington sobs '50 hours of Strictly footage is being blocked' in shock claim

Strictly's Giovanni Pernice defends Amanda Abbington dances

A visibly upset Amanda Abbington has claimed that she felt "abandoned" by the BBC during the Strictly controversy, alleging there is 50 hours of rehearsal footage they won't allow her to see.

The acclaimed actress, aged 50, had a falling out with her professional dance partner Giovanni Pernice. Their strained relationship is now under scrutiny as part of an ongoing investigation by the BBC.

During her first TV interview about the dispute, appearing on Channel 4 news, Amanda voiced: "It's been brutal, and relentless and unforgiving. The aftermath has been something that I wasn't expecting. You know, the death threats and the rape threats towards not only myself but my daughter, and threats of death to my son."

She also revealed that she, alongside her legal team, is working towards getting access to 50 hours of the rehearsal room video footage. Speaking to Krishnan Guru-Murthy, who also took part in the series with Amanda, she said: "There's 50 hours of footage that's being blocked. You know, 50 hours is a lot of footage, and a lot of time spent in a room that was toxic."

"In the first week, I raised my concerns to the producers. Giovanni claimed he requested the cameras, but I know that he didn't because the producers approached me to say 'we're going to install cameras to review the footage at week's end and evaluate what's happening'," added Amanda.

"And then every Friday, after the next sort of five weeks, I would get the producer saying, on the Friday, 'we just watched the footage back, we are shocked and horrified, we're so sorry'. That was to my face on the Friday when we would go in and do the camera rehearsal".

READ MORE The gruelling challenges facing Strictly’s whingeing contestants

Amanda complained to the BBC that she endured five weeks of inappropriate behaviour (Image: CHANNEL 4)

Giovanni has vehemently denied the allegations.

When questioned about BBC Director General Tim Davies' apology to Strictly contestants, Amanda responded: "I'm glad he's acknowledged it. I read an article saying, 'Amanda wants to bring down Strictly'. No, I love Strictly, I would love to have had a beautiful experience on it. I really would. I'm envious of the people who had a wonderful experience on that show, I'm so glad they did, and I feel really sad that I didn't get to fulfil my journey."

The actor revealed that no one from the BBC had been in touch since she left the show: "I got several messages afterwards from some of the producers, just checking in to see how I was. But then when all the fallout happened, and then everybody started piling on and the death threats came in, and they were reported in the press and all the misinformation went out there. I didn't really hear from anybody again."

When asked if any aftercare was provided, she replied: "No, it would have been nice I suppose."

Amanda Abbington talks about the online abuse she has suffered since accusing her former Strictly partner Giovanni Pernice of abusive behaviour, which he denies. (Image: )

Discussing the ongoing BBC inquiry and other grievances from past participants, Abbington remarked: "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."

When probed by Guru-Murthy on whether she was referring to bullying, she confirmed: "Yes, it's bullying and it's aggressive behaviour, there were other things that were very upsetting, that you manage in the room at the time, because you're a woman, and you have to manage those things because otherwise, what do you do? ".

Amanda had voiced her grievances to the BBC, alleging five weeks of inappropriate behaviour prior to her withdrawal from Strictly Come Dancing due to a PTSD diagnosis. The actress's concerns prompted an ongoing investigation by BBC executives, with additional complaints from other former contestants surfacing subsequently.

The interview with Amanda aired just a day after the BBC's Director General expressed his deep regret for any Strictly Come Dancing participants who have suffered bullying or abuse. However, he maintained that the show must continue and would weather the current storm.

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Professional dancers Giovanni and Graziano Di Prima have both exited the show recently. Graziano, who kicked Love Island star McDermott during training, attributed his actions to "intense passion and determination.

Meanwhile, Giovanni faced conflict with his partner Amanda, who had previously labelled his behaviour as "unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean". He refutes these allegations.

The BBC's director-general; issued a stern warning about future behaviour from the pressured professional dancers, stating: "There are limits and the line should never be crossed. We will never tolerate unacceptable behaviour of any kind."

During the unveiling of the BBC Annual report, Davie reminded journalists that while there will inevitably be "competitiveness, hard work and the will to do well" on the show, "there are limits and the line should never be crossed".

Amanda Abbington sobs '50 hours of Strictly footage is being blocked' in shock claim

Amanda Abbington sobs '50 hours of Strictly footage is being blocked' in shock claim

Amanda Abbington sobs '50 hours of Strictly footage is being blocked' in shock claim

Amanda Abbington sobs '50 hours of Strictly footage is being blocked' in shock claim

Amanda Abbington sobs '50 hours of Strictly footage is being blocked' in shock claim