What Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice have said about Strictly feud (original) (raw)

Amanda Abbington dramatically quit Strictly Come Dancing 2023 saying she was "unable to continue".

Her departure and subsequent allegations about the conduct of her professional partner Giovanni Pernice sparked the ongoing Strictly scandal. Pernice, 33, denies the allegations.

The Sherlock star and the Italian dancer both give very different accounts of what happened in the rehearsal room during their time together on Strictly. And the pair have come locked in Strictly's most famous feud to date.

Here is everything Pernice and Abbington have said about dancing together so far.

Feud denials

Speculation that Abbington and Pernice were not getting on in rehearsals began right from the very off. Before the first live show The Mirror reported that Abbington had threatened to quit the show after rowing with Pernice about his "aggressive training style".

But Abbington denied the claims on social media. She posted on her Instagram stories at the time: "Ignoring the bulls***, because clearly people are t****. Just stop it, stop it, grow up. No one gives a s***. Shut up, it’s b****cks, so f*** off. You know who I’m talking to as well. Come on, jog on, it’s nonsense and you know it’s nonsense. It’s all good.”

Amanda Abbington quit Strictly early in 2023. (BBC)

Pernice also posted on social media the same week saying: "I usually don't say those things early (as everybody know) but I'm extremely proud of you [Amanda] and I can't wait for people to watch we have created."

After the first live show Abbington posted on her Instagram stories during rehearsal, calling Pernice a "legend" and saying she felt in safe hands. She wrote: "The smile you give your pro partner at the end of the camera rehearsal when you know you are in safe and hugely talented hands. Giovanni Pernice ya legend, see you all tomorrow."

Disciplined teacher

The pair appeared on spin off show It Takes Two after Week One. Abbington called Pernice a good teacher but also said he was "disciplined" in his technique. She said: "I've got a good teacher. He's really disciplined and he tells me like it is and I need that because I found out that I'm actually quite lazy. I have a good comfort zone. It's wonderful. We're having a great time."

Giovanni Pernice and Amanda Abbington clashed behind the scenes. (BBC)

During the same It Takes Two interview, Abbington said she and Pernice shared the same sense of humour and that training was spent laughing. She said: "We laugh a lot. We have the same sense of humour, which is really important. So we'll work hard and then have a laugh."

Pernice added: "We do have a good time but at the same time, obviously, we have to get things done. We have to get out on Saturday night. It's a difficult process, especially for people who haven't done Strictly before. I always say it's a marathon, not a sprint."

Giovanni Pernice's 'strict' confession

Pernice admitted in an interview with Virgin Radio that he is a strict teacher. He said: "I'm very, very strict. The only reason why is because first of all, I know my partner's got massive potential, and obviously, I want her to look the best on a Saturday night. And second of all, because I believe in Amanda. I know exactly how much she can bring on a Saturday night."

Message of love

When Abbington was absent from the show in week five, host Claudia Winkleman told viewers the actor was unable to perform due to "medical reasons". A few days later Abbington announced she was withdrawing from the competition.

A statement issued by Strictly bosses simply said she "unable to continue". Pernice posted a message on social media saying he was proud of Abbington. He wrote: "Amanda. I am so sad we can't continue but I am proud of what we achieved, and I am sending you so much love. This can't have been an easy decision, health and wellbeing has to come first. Thank you for four beautiful, memorable dances. You will be missed."

Strictly Come Dancing's Giovanni Pernice and Amanda Abbington clashed behind the scenes. (BBC)

No mention of Giovanni Pernice

But Abbington then released a separate statement on social media, saying she had left for "personal reasons". Fans spotted that she did pointedly left Pernice out of her thank yous.

She said: "It is with deepest regret that I had to leave Strictly. I did not come to this decision easily or lightly but for personal reasons I am unable to continue. It was an absolute joy working with my fellow contestants, they are a beautiful, hardworking and talented group of people who I love and who I will miss seeing every Friday and Saturday and competing alongside.

"I want to thank the incredible Production team and everyone on Strictly who looked after me and who are so kind and caring. It’s a wonderful bunch of people and I’ll miss all of them. I’m so sad that I am unable to go any further. Thank you to everyone who voted and who sent wonderful messages and inspiring support. You are all amazing. Truly. Thank you. xxx"

Giovanni Pernice wants to clear his name

Giovanni Pernice has now left Strictly. (BBC)

In January 2024 it was reported that Abbington had requested footage of her time in the rehearsal room with the Italian dancer from the BBC. It was also claimed she had met with Pernice's other former partners Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh to discuss their Strictly experiences. They were even rumoured to be discussing taking legal action. In June 2024 it was confirmed that Pernice had left the BBC dance show after nine years amid allegations of workplace misconduct during training.

Pernice released a statement denying the allegations and vowing to clear his name. The Italian dancer said: "To my fans and followers, Every week, there are totally untrue stories about me in the media.

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"As you know, I have always rejected any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour. The latest accusations are simply false. I am co-operating fully with the ongoing BBC investigation, which will determine the truth. As requested, I have stayed silent, but I am looking forward to the conclusion of the investigation and ultimately clearing my name and establishing the truth.

"I am so happy to be back on tour. Thank you all for your continued support – your messages and love mean so very much to me. I will hopefully see many of you very soon and I look forward to clearing my name. With love, Giovanni."

Amanda Abbington's 'horrible' experience

Abbington finally went public with her claims in an interview with The Sunday Times on 14 July. Opening up about her "horrible" experience in the rehearsal room training with Pernice, she said: "When I’m in a rehearsal room I make sure that it’s a place where everyone feels safe and feels like they’re having a nice time. And that courtesy wasn’t extended to me."

Abbington also revealed her husband Jonathan Goodwin recalled her being sick after rehearsals. She said: "He'd go, 'Yes, you would come home and you'd vomit, you'd cry, and you'd think you were not good enough. You were a shadow, a shell'."

Amanda Abbington has made an official complaint to the BBC. (Getty)

Amanda Abbington makes abusive and cruel claims

In a further interview with The Sun on Sunday a week later, Abbington called Pernice "abusive and cruel" and felt compelled to speak out for the safety of others.

She said: "I found Giovanni's behaviour unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean. I couldn't sit back and let him do that to other people. I had to think long and hard about making a complaint because I knew the backlash I would get. But I would not have been able to live with myself for future people going on that show."

Giovanni Pernice hits back

Following Abbington's interview with The Sun on Sunday Pernice released a fresh statement, saying her allegations "carried no shape or form" and adding he was "confident" of clearing his name.

The dancer's spokesperson told BBC News: "The BBC has shared allegations from the inquiry with Giovanni, who has cooperated fully. None of the allegations carried in the Sun on Sunday are included in any shape or form.

"Giovanni refutes these allegations and denies any accusations of abusive or threatening behaviour. He has provided substantive evidence to the investigation, and he remains fully confident of clearing his name."

Amanda Abbington spoke to fellow Strictly star Krishnan Guru-Murthy. (BBC)

Amanda Abbington's Channel 4 interview

Abbington sat down with fellow Strictly star Krishnan Guru-Murthy to give her first tell-all TV interview. Emotional, the star broke down in tears a number of times during the interview where she discussed her time on Strictly Come Dancing.

Among the claims, Abbington said there were 50 hours of footage that she claims are being blocked. She detailed the death and rape threats that her children and herself had received after Strictly. However, she said she wasn't "out to ruin anybody’s career" but she wanted to share her story of what she said went on in the training rehearsal room.

We are yet to find out the outcome of the investigation. (BBC)

Giovanni Pernice refutes abusive behaviour claims

Pernice responded to the claims in Abbington's interview to again state that he refutes any claims of threatening or abusive behaviour.

The statement said: "We are cooperating fully with the BBC’s review process. All parties have been asked to respect this process and to not speak to the media before it concludes. We will continue to respect the integrity of the investigation and believe it is the right forum for all the evidence to be reviewed.

"As part of the evidence-led review, the BBC has shared the allegations they have been able to substantiate with us. They do not resemble Amanda’s latest allegations, given to Channel 4, in any shape or form. Giovanni refutes any claim of threatening or abusive behaviour, and having provided the BBC with his evidence, is confident that the review will prove this."

The BBC said: "Anyone involved in a complaint has a right to confidentiality and fair process and therefore it would be inappropriate to comment further on individuals. However, when issues are raised with us we always take them extremely seriously and have appropriate processes in place to manage this. As we have said before, we would urge people not to indulge in speculation.

"More generally, the BBC and BBC Studios takes duty of care extremely seriously. Our processes on Strictly Come Dancing are updated every year, they are kept under constant review and last week we announced additional steps to further strengthen welfare and support on the show."