08 January 2024 , 21:38
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Strictly bosses have never received any formal complaint about Giovanni Pernice amid a row over his training methods.
Amanda Abbington, 51, quit last year’s series due to “personal reasons” and now claims to have PTSD after being paired with him on the show. The BBC have subsequently been left “puzzled” after she requested to see video footage of the rehearsals as part of a potential legal claim.
Sources on the show accept that while Giovanni is a perfectionist and there are occasional “moans” about his regime, his conduct has never crossed the line to warrant any investigation. None of his previous dance partners had made any formal complaint, the source added. And after speaking to him in the wake of the PTSD claims, a BBC source added the allegations were “excessive”.
Pernice has caused controversy on Strictly before (Dean / SplashNews.com)
Pernice had a 'bust up' with Ranvir Singh (Dean / SplashNews.com)The BBC released a strongly-worded statement on Monday which inferred they would have picked up any bad behaviour at the time given their duty of care procedures.
A BBC spokesman said: “The BBC offers a comprehensive range of support to all individuals taking part in our shows. Strictly Come Dancing has always taken duty of care incredibly seriously and there is a constant dialogue between senior members of the production team and the contestants to ensure any concerns are addressed swiftly. Strictly has a proud track record as a joyful, positive experience where robust support and assistance is always made available at every stage of the production.”
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Many BBC insiders are “bemused” by the reports of PTSD given Amanda’s gushing statement when she left the show about her experience on the programme. She said: “I want to thank the incredible production team and everyone on Strictly who looked after me and are so kind and caring. It’s wonderful bunch of people and I’ll miss all of them.”
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And insiders say they are especially puzzled as the “personal reasons” cited at the time for leaving the show wasn’t PTSD but something unconnected. Amanda has also previously dismissed claims of a bust-up with Giovanni as ‘bulls****’ and told people to, ‘Shut up, it’s b******s.’
Giovanni has had issues with his celebrity partners before. In 2016, TV presenter Laura Whitmore said: ‘I’m still not ready to talk in-depth about my experience on the show. I was placed with a dance partner I was extremely uncomfortable with and in the end I felt broken, I cried every day. And I was really broken, both mentally and physically, by the end.”
Insiders say Laura was friends with Georgia May Foote who had split with Giovanni before taking part on the show and that this had caused friction. He also had a bust-up with Ranvir Singh.