Strictly: Craig reacts to Amanda Abbington allegations
50-year-old Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington opened up about her turbulent time on Strictly Come Dancing on Woman's Hour. Amanda quit the series last year after just five weeks in the competition and launched a complaint against her dance partner Giovanni Pernice.
Giovanni has denied any claims of threatening or abusive behaviour made against him, but he will not be taking part in this year's series of Strictly. Months after the news of the 33-year-old dancer's exit, fellow professional dancer Graziano di Prima was axed from the show for gross misconduct.
Amanda admitted she faced lots of abuse online as the complaint emerged, but insisted her family and fans have been "keeping her going" in recent months. During her appearance on Woman's Hour on Friday, the star was asked about the dancing show's future after it was once named the "jewel in the crown" of the BBC.
She explained: "I would like it to continue, I just think the contestants need to be listened to and if something happens, there need to be proper safety procedures in place. "I don't know how they would do that as it's not my job.
"All I know is that I wouldn't want anybody going into that show to have the experience I've had and the experience other people I have spoken to have had because it's not fair. It's a wonderful Saturday night entertainment show and it shouldn't be marred by bad behaviour."
Amanda broke her silence in two major television interviews on ITV and Channel 4 in recent weeks where she was interviewed by Christine Lampard as well as Krishnan Guru-Murphy who have both participated in Strictly.
Amanda told Channel 4 News she and her daughter had received "rape threats" and claimed "death threats" have been made towards her son.
The star also revealed she'd experienced "brutal, relentless and unforgiving" on a daily basis since making allegations about her time on Strictly.
The BBC has launched an investigation following the claims, but the results have not yet been published.
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Strictly will be returning later this year at a date yet to be announced by BBC bosses.
The line-up is slowly being announced ahead of the start date, with comedian Chris McCausland, JB Gill, Dr Punam Krishan, Toyah Willcox and Wynne Evans named in the official line-up so far.
JSL star JB said: "I danced in the Strictly Christmas special over a decade ago and loved it, so when I got the call to join Strictly this year, it was an immediate yes from me.
"I’m raring to go to and looking forward to showing off some new skills to the JLS boys. From muddy wellies on the fields of my farm to sequins and Glitterballs - I’m here to embrace it all!"
Amanda's full interview can be listened to on BBC Sounds.
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