Strictly’s Amanda Abbington speaks out after BBC backs Giovanni Pernice amid accusations

If you are a fan of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing and follow all news and updates on the show, you will know that professional dancer, Giovanni Pernice has been having problems recently. Indeed, his latest partner, Sherlock star, Amanda Abbington has complained about Giovanni’s treatment during the show.

The actress took part in the dance competition in 2023 but quit after a few weeks citing ‘medical reasons’. Abbington later revealed that she was diagnosed with PTSD and requested backstage footage of her training with Giovanni Pernice.

Amanda Abbington has left a cryptic message after it was announced that the BBC is backing Giovanni amid accusations.

Amanda Abbington leaves a cryptic message

As reported by Mirror, Amanda Abbington, who reportedly met up with two of Giovanni’s previous partners to discuss their experiences, has left a cryptic message after it was revealed that the BBC is backing the pro dancer.

On her social media, Amanda talked about misogyny and that people should make others ‘feel embarrassed of being associated with misogynists’. She goes on to say that people should ‘make misogyny unprofitable’.

Make people feel embarrassed of being associated with misogynists. Make misogyny unprofitable for anyone to pursue. Deprive misogyny of the oxygen it needs to survive.

It is believed that Amanda’s cryptic post is linked to Giovanni Pernice and the fact that the BBC is backing him, despite several celebrities claiming they had bad experiences with the pro dancer.

As per Mirror, Steps star Faye Tozer has also recently spoken up about working with Giovanni, making her the fourth celebrity to be left in tears whilst training with the Italian dancer.

The BBC has backed Giovanni Pernice

According to Mirror, Giovanni had a meeting with Strictly to talk about his future on the show. It is expected that Giovanni will be announced in the professional line-up as the BBChasn’t received any ‘official complaints’ against the dancer.

Indeed, it is believed that Amanda Abbington decided against making a formal complaint against Giovanni Pernice, despite requesting backstage footage of their training sessions. A source told The Sun:

Giovanni has a meeting with Strictly on Thursday about his return later this year. They have not received any official complaints and are backing him.

Despite the claims, a Strictly spokesperson explained that the official line-up hasn’t been revealed yet and will be announced soon:

The pro dancers for 2024 will be announced in due course.

Giovanni Pernice defends himself

Giovanni Pernice and Anton Du Beke, who just finished their travel show, spoke about Amanda Abbington’s exit from Strictly on Mirror’s podcast Invite Only. Giovanni explained that he is a ‘perfectionist’ and his goal is to get his dance partner ready for Saturday night.

I am a perfectionist, 100%, but it comes from a perspective of caring.

He added that he believes all professional dancers are the same around the world:

I think all of the professional dancers are in the same place. In every single part of the world [...] you have to get these people looking the best they can on Saturday night.

Finally, the Italian dancer explained that they all ‘care’ about their partners and there is ‘no specific way’ they have to be with them:

We all care about our partners [...] There’s no specific way that you are, or have to be with your celebrity.

Read more:

⋙ Strictly Come Dancing: Rachel Riley reveals her time on the show was ‘traumatic’

⋙ Strictly Come Dancing’s Giovanni Pernice: A source reveals he is dating again, who is Molly Brown?

⋙ Strictly's Giovanni Pernice: BBC accused of ‘protecting’ him despite complaints from four previous partners

Sources used:

Mirror: ‘Amanda Abbington's strong-worded message as Strictly Come Dancing's Giovanni Pernice backed by BBC’

Mirror: ‘Giovanni Pernice in BBC Strictly Come Dancing future crunch talks ‘as 4th star in tears over training’

The Sun: ‘Giovanni Pernice to hold crunch talks about Strictly future ‘after leaving 4th celeb partner in tears following run-in’