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Amanda Abbington is reportedly being supported by her ex husband Martin Freeman amid the ongoing Strictly Come Dancing scandal.
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.
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’.
Amanda and actor Martin, 52, were married for 16 years from 2000–2016 and share two children, Joe and Grace.
Martin has 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.
Amanda Abbington is reportedly being supported by her ex husband Martin Freeman amid the ongoing Strictly Come Dancing scandal (seen in 2014)
She 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 denies all claims
It is expected that the probe into Giovanni will soon be completed by the BBC after several weeks of investigations.
A source told the publication: ‘Martin has made a point of making sure Amanda is OK with everything that has happened recently. They share two children together so have always remained close for their sake.
‘He was left worried and concerned at learning about the things which Amanda has been going through. And it’s been really heartening for Amanda to know that she has Martin’s support.
‘She’s been through hell recently, and had to endure death threats and hateful messages. She’s relied heavily on her fiancee Jonathan who has been an absolute rock throughout all of this.’
A representative for Amanda has been contacted by MailOnline for comment.
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’.
A source has told the publication of the new disclosures: ‘The investigation is set to conclude this week but it has been made more difficult by the new disclosure from Amanda.
Martin has 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 (seen in 2015)
Amanda and actor Martin, 52, were married for 16 years from 2000–2016 and share two children, Joe and Grace (seen with Amanda’s fiancé Jonathan Goodwin)
Amanda is also being supported by her ‘rock’ Jonathan who she is seen here with back in May 2022
‘It has turned the course of the probe. It seemed Giovanni would be cleared but this new information has changed everything again.
‘Giovanni, it seems now, did appear to step over the line of what is acceptable for a BBC representative but more discussions need to be had.
‘Every time they seem to reach a conclusion, something else gets thrown in that throws the investigation in a new direction.’
The BBC has been contacted by MailOnline for comment.
It came after earlier this week 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.
‘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.’
The update came just after police visited the home of Amanda, as an investigation into a chilling death threat sent to the actress continues.
Met detectives were alerted on Friday afternoon to a threatening email sent to the north London theatre where Amanda is performing.
The actress is starring in new play When It Happens To You at the Park Theatre in Finsbury.
The frightening email warned ‘she should be prepared to die onstage’ unless she withdrew her complaint about former Strictly partner Giovanni.
Park Theatre quickly alerted the force who are taking the threat ‘very seriously’ and are working to ‘unmask’ the person who sent it.
The Sherlock actress has now been interviewed by officers twice and her home she shares with fiancé Jonathan Goodwin was visited by police.
Although the Met Police have not formally identified anyone involved in the investigation, a spokesman confirmed that officers were called to a theatre in Finsbury Park ‘following receipt of an alleged malicious communication.’
The spokesman continued: ‘There have been no arrests, enquiries are ongoing.’
A source told the publication: ‘Martin has made a point of making sure Amanda is OK with everything that has happened recently. They share two children together so have always remained close for their sake’
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’
Giovanni, 33, was suspended while a BBC probe is underway over allegations made by Amanda and two other former celebrity partners (pictured in June)
A source close to the investigation told MailOnline: ‘Specialist officers have been looking at the email closely over the last 72 hours, and now believe they are close to identifying where it was sent from.
‘They are liaising with another force on this now. This, in turn, they hope will go on to lead them to the person behind the threat.
‘Officers have told Amanda they will do all they can to find out who the person is behind the email.
‘They are treating it as a very serious and very credible threat and want to unmask the person behind it.’