AMANDA PLATELL: Amanda’s media blitz feels Strictly determined

In recent days, Amanda Abbington has given two soul- baring TV interviews, discussing the ‘abusive, cruel and mean’ behaviour of her former Strictly dance partner Giovanni Pernice.

And all this while the BBC is conducting its own confidential inquiry into her claims, with participants expected to give their evidence in private.

Why has Amanda, who claims to have ‘PTSD’ from her experiences on the Saturday night favourite, chosen to go on the offensive with this massive PR operation?

On Channel 4 on Wednesday, she answered ‘yes’ when host Krishnan Guru-Murthy asked her whether Giovanni’s behaviour was of a ‘sexual nature’. (Incidentally, Krishnan was on Strictly with Amanda and Gio last year and has gushingly said of his time on the show: ‘I’ve never felt more safe in other people’s hands.’)

On Thursday, she appeared distraught on ITV‘s Lorraine, with its 1.2 million mostly female viewers, as she told of her ‘humiliating’ treatment at Giovanni’s hands — yet, strangely, made no mention of sexual misbehaviour.

Yes, I felt sorry for Amanda as I watched her almost weep as she repeatedly relived her Strictly nightmare.

But my overriding feeling was pity. Why does a mum of two with 30 years’ experience on stage and screen — in hit shows from Sherlock to Mr Selfridge — need to come out with these tales of woe before the results of the BBC’s inquiry? Why does her story seem to change from moment to moment — first bullying and then sexual claims?

She needs to be careful flinging around lurid accusations on TV instead of behind closed doors during the official investigation.

Sources close to the actress have described her, perhaps uncharitably, as something of a ‘snowflake’: emotional, unreliable and a diva.

During her most recent barrage of publicity, Giovanni has maintained a dignified silence. Only this week did his lawyers say he has ‘bombshell evidence’ proving Amanda is ‘lying’ about him.

Amanda’s media blitz screams of desperation. And whatever the result of the BBC probe, she is likely to be disappointed.

Time to rejoice in the beauty of Strictly, Amanda. You were a magnificent dancer, graceful and elegant. What a shame you can’t show that side of yourself today.

As a jubilant Ruth Langsford reappears on Loose Women for the first time since instigating divorce proceedings, her soon-to-be-ex hubby Eamonn Holmes is pictured exercising in pain on an ‘anti-gravity’ treadmill. In the PR stakes, all my sympathies are with Eamonn — and zero marks for rejuvenated Ruth.

Jen’s our Friend

Jennifer Aniston spoke for millions of childless women like me when she attacked Trump’s ‘hillbilly’ running mate JD Vance, who had dismissed us as ‘cat ladies miserable at their own lives’, lacking a ‘direct stake’ in democracy. Yes, that’ll be one in five women in the UK — and nearly 50 per cent in the States.

As Jen, 55, knows, we childless ‘cat ladies’ should be cherished, not derided — as we support other women’s children through our taxes.

In the ITV documentary Tabloids On Trial, self-proclaimed ‘dragon-slayer’ Prince Harry blamed his battle with the Press for destroying his relationship with his family.

Not for a moment did he consider that his repeated betrayals might have caused the rift: from spilling secrets on Oprah to his bitter tell-all memoir Spare.

As his mother Diana used to remark, Harry was the one she worried about most: even she always knew that he was the dim one.

Westminster wars 

• Two weeks into the job and Chancellor Rachel Reeves warns a £20 billion black hole in the economy means she must revise her plans. Experts predict higher taxes, especially for the middle classes. It didn’t take long for socialist Labour to reveal its true colour: blood red. Fitting, given its plan to bleed grafters dry.

• The race is on to find the next Tory leader, with Tom Tugendhat, Priti Patel, Kemi Badenoch, Mel Stride, Suella Braverman, Robert Jenrick and James Cleverly all hoping to replace backstabbing Rishi Sunak. I’m all for Priti — at just 5ft 3in, there’s no chance of any backstabbing. She’d only reach a rival’s calves.

J.K. Rowling says she could not vote Labour at the last election due to new Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy’s unclear view on whether trans athletes should compete in women’s sport.

Surely this picture of trailblazing trans swimmer Lia Thomas, complete with fearsomely broad shoulders, bulging Adam’s apple and towering stature, is reason enough for Lisa to make up her mind?

Half a million households have cancelled their £169.50 BBC TV licence, preferring to tune in to Netflix or Apple TV+, costing the Corporation an estimated £80 million.

Now we learn that Radio 2 DJ Zoe Ball is paid nearly £1 million and that disgraced Huw Edwards, who solicited explicit images from a teenager, had a salary increase of £40,000 — despite being off air for most of the year.

Surely it’s about time Auntie was sent to the retirement home?

Rumour has it… Adele IS engaged

Despite leading fans to believe she had already married American sports agent Rich Paul, calling him her ‘husband’ and saying she was his ‘wife’, now rumours swirl that Adele accepted Rich’s proposal only this week.

Sources say she thought it was ‘hilarious that fans reckon they’re already married’.

Let’s hope Paul lasts longer than Adele’s former husband Simon Konecki, dumped after one child together.

My moggie Ted is appalled at the new social media trend of taking your cat for a walk on a lead. The RSPCA says it could be ‘frightening’ for your pet. Admittedly, I did try it once with Ted, in the house. His response was to lie down, so he was dragged around like a mop. Never again.

Birmingham has won the bid to host Prince Harry’s Invictus Games in 2027 — funded by £26 million of government money. An odd choice as in 2023 Birmingham City Council was officially declared bankrupt. 

Paula’s shame over rapist

Ex marathon world-record holder Paula Radcliffe apologises for her bizarre message of support to child rapist Steven van de Velde, star of the Dutch Olympic volleyball team. Paula had said that, if he had turned his life around, ‘I actually wish him the best of luck’. Perhaps she wouldn’t have been so forgiving if it had been her own daughter he had raped.

In these ‘inclusive’ times, we’ve seen a Barbie doll in a wheelchair, a ‘plus-size’ one, another with Down’s syndrome, one with a prosthetic leg and one with hearing aids.

Now Mattel has launched a blind doll, with a white cane. It’s a world away from my first Barbie, who had pneumatic breasts and boyfriend Ken. Barbie’s motto is ‘you can be anything’. As I approach my 67th birthday, single, I now know that’s a big fat lie.