Amanda Abbington on the point she started raising concerns
Amanda Abbington has spoken out about Giovanni Pernice's behaviour during their intimate Strictly Come Dancing rehearsals in an explosive BBC interview, for the first time the results of the bullying probe were reported.
She made it clear she has "no regrets" about her complaints towards Giovanni, despite it being "one of the worst years of her life".
The 50 year old actress dropped a revelation on Newsnight, talking candidly about how she struggled with Giovanni's teaching style.
Challenged by Victoria Derbyshire on the issue, a visibly upset Amanda revealed, with a trembling voice: “Um, yeah. It was one of the allegations that was upheld.
“There were two allegations," before hesitating and glancing at her 30-page investigation document.
After apologising, the actress added: “There were two allegations of inappropriate conduct of a sexual nature. They were upheld and one of them was physical and one was verbal.”
Visibly shaken, Amanda shared that the other infraction was verbal and emphasised: “They weren't isolated one-off incidents. They were over a period of seven weeks.”
The fresh scandal follows the BBC's confirmation that six of her initial 17 allegations against the Italian pro were substantiated by their in-house probe.
Victoria cited Giovanni's prior response to the controversy during the programme, reading aloud: “We are unable to comment any further and the BBC has asked both parties to respect confidentiality.
Giovanni has consistently refuted all previous accusations made by Amanda.
Express.co.uk has approached Giovanni and the BBC for comment.
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Taking to Instagram on Monday, Giovanni shared his thoughts after the BBC investigation's findings were revealed, saying: “It's over, it's finished, six months, seven months of all of this.
“Seven months of reading things every day in the newspaper and not being able to respond because I wanted to keep the confidentiality and privacy of the review, (it) was a difficult time."
"It was difficult because, you know, reading stuff that (was) untrue, wasn't the nicest time of my life lets be honest. But today I'm happy because, at the beginning there were very, very serious allegations thrown out at me but today, none of the serious allegations have been upheld.”
The former Strictly pro continued: “All the threatening, abusive, harassment behaviour allegations have not been upheld. Today is a day when we can all reflect because, I appreciate that dancing is a very difficult thing to do.
“It's a sport, it's something that is difficult in every possible way and sometimes you get frustrated, as a teacher, as a dancer, as a performer. But the only reason why you get frustrated is because you care about what you do.”
Giovanni Pernice previously opened up about his teaching methods, admitting to moments of frustration in his pursuit of perfection.
He disclosed: "You know as a professional, as a teacher, I want to get the best out of my partner, and sometimes I do get frustrated.
“I think everybody around the world does the same thing, it's called being professional and I love doing that.”
“You know even now with Bianca (Guaccero, his partner on the Italian equivalent of Strictly, Ballando con le Stelle), I get frustrated, I think it's a normal thing, but then you get out the best and the results come forward,” the dancer concluded.
