Amanda Abbington is ‘deeply upset’ with BBC bosses
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Amanda Abbington is ‘deeply disappointed’ with BBC bosses over fears their ‘protecting’ Giovanni Pernice amid bullying probe.
Sherlock actress Amanda, 50, has made a series of accusations about her pro Giovanni Pernice’s teaching methods and has described his behaviour as ‘unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean’. He strongly denies all of the claims.
The report has been completed and is ready to be published within days.
A friend of Amanda told The Sun: ‘She’s deeply disappointed with the BBC. She thinks it feels like such a boys’ club.
‘As well as the probe taking so long, it feels like they are protecting Giovanni to save themselves and ignoring not only her experience but that of other women who’ve bravely come forward.
Amanda Abbington is ‘deeply disappointed’ with BBC bosses over fears their ‘protecting’ Giovanni Pernice amid bullying probe
Sherlock actress Amanda, 50, has made a series of accusations about her pro Giovanni Pernice’s teaching methods and has described his behaviour as ‘unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean’. He strongly denies all of the claims
‘Amanda feels tired, upset and very angry with the way it’s all been handled.
‘She is worried there will be a predictable whitewash and others will, once again, suffer from aggression and abuse.’
MailOnline has contacted Amanda and the BBC for comment.
It comes after it was revealed Amanda has found BBC bosses line of questioning ‘highly offensive’ amid the show’s ongoing misconduct probe.
The actress has been quizzed for a second time about an illicit video shared with her by the dancer as well as a ‘lewd remark’ he made about another celebrity contestant when the video was sent.
Giovanni is also reported to have made a crude comment about a member of Amanda’s own family, only for her to ‘effectively be asked’ by BBC bosses whether the dancer meant the remark as light-hearted banter.
A source told The Sun: ‘[Amanda] found this line of questioning highly offensive.’
In regards to the alleged video they told the publication: ‘The BBC can’t ignore the fact the video was sent. There seems to be a trail of evidence’.
‘Even if it is established the footage was shared with innocent intentions, the BBC are concerned this could constitute a breach of conduct according to the contract handed to the pro dancers.’
A BBC spokesman said: ‘As we have said before, we will not be commenting on individuals or engaging in speculation’.
Amanda shares daughter Grace and son Joe with ex partner Martin Freeman, 52, who she was for 16 years from 2000–2016.
The actress has been quizzed for a second time about an illicit video shared with her by the dancer as well as a ‘lewd remark’ he made about another celeb (Amanda pictured in rehearsals)
In one interview, Amanda compared the dance show to ‘the trenches’ telling Channel 4 News that BBC producers had been left ‘horrified’ by clips that also allegedly exhibited ‘humiliating behaviour of a sexual nature’
An investigation was launched after several celebrities including Amanda Abbington and Zara McDermott (pictured) sparked abuse and bullying scandals on the family show
It comes after Martin reached out to her to support after the scandal and been someone to lean on amid the turbulent time, as well as her fiancé Jonathan Goodwin, reports The Sun.
It is expected that the probe into Giovanni will soon be completed by the BBC after several weeks of investigations.
It comes after it was reported that Amanda recently handed over more texts with fresh revelations over Giovanni ‘s behaviour on Strictly.
It has been claimed the dramatic intervention has thrown the BBC investigation into professional Giovanni’s behaviour into chaos and has ‘changed the course of the probe’.
The Sun reports that Amanda has come forward with new bombshell messages just as the probe was about to conclude which reportedly show that Giovanni did ‘step over the line of what is acceptable’.
Amanda was reportedly questioned by BBC bosses for a second time about ‘crude comments’ she claimed were made by Giovanni.
She is said to have been quizzed via video call last week as she sat down with two ex-Met detectives to discuss her allegations about the professional dancer, 33.
They reportedly discussed claims of sexual comments during rehearsals, as well as ‘new evidence’. Giovanni has denied all allegations made against him.
MailOnline contacted representatives for Amanda, Giovanni, and The BBC for comment.
Amanda has made a series of accusations about Giovanni’s teaching methods and has described his behaviour as ‘unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean’. He strongly denies all of the claims.
In one interview, Amanda compared the dance show to ‘the trenches’ telling Channel 4 News that BBC producers had been left ‘horrified’ by clips that also allegedly exhibited ‘humiliating behaviour of a sexual nature’.
In another, where she spoke to Christine Lampard on Lorraine , she said: ‘It was inappropriate, it was mean, it was nasty, it was bullying and I put up with it for five, six weeks.
Amanda shares her children with ex partner Martin Freeman (pictured 2015) and he has reportedly reached out to support the actress amid the scandal
‘It started very early on and when it started to happen I would shut down because I recognised those red flags.
‘And so I would shut down and it would be difficult to get in, and that would be a self-fulfilling prophecy.’
Talking about her schedule on the show, she said: ‘I was going into the rehearsal room every day. I’ve been in rehearsal rooms for 32 years.
‘I know what rehearsal rooms are supposed to be like.
‘I don’t care what background you’re from – whether it’s dancing, acting, singing – you have a duty of care to bring into that rehearsal room compassion, understanding, sensitivity and kindness.
‘And that wasn’t extended to me (at Strictly). And so I just said I don’t think this is right.’
