Giovanni Pernice has blasted Amanda Abbington after she gave an interview following the Strictly probe.
The Italian stallion, 33, went on to brand his former Strictly partner a ‘liar’ who was continuing to tarnish his reputation in the UK. The comments came through a spokesperson who handed a statement to the channel on Wednesday (October 2).
Amanda appeared on BBC news show Newsnight on Wednesday evening, giving her side of the story in the wake of the BBC probe. In the interview, Amanda went on to make several other claims that Giovanni had abused her both verbally and physically.
READ MORE: Strictly’s Giovanni Pernice cleared of physical abuse but did verbally abuse Amanda Abbington
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Findings from the internal investigation into the show found that Giovanni had been cleared of all physical abuse claims made against him. However, out of the seventeen allegations being lodged against the former pro, only six were upheld.
(Image: BBC)
Amanda said during the interview: “There were some very serious things that went on, and they were upheld by the BBC. There were breaches of all the codes of conduct within the organisation.”
In response to Amanda’s claims against him, a spokesperson for Giovanni said: “It’s disappointing that Ms Abbington would knowingly mislead the outcome of the report in order to further attempt to damage Giovanni’s reputation. While Ms Abbington may not like the outcome of the six-month investigation, she should not seek to spread false and defamatory claims.”
During the course of the interview, Sherlock actress Amanda said that she had “no regrets” over making the complaints against Giovanni, despite being hit with numerous threats of violence to her and her family. She explained that she had received death threats, rape threats and a credible bomb threat at her place of work – all due to her allegations, she says.
Amanda and Giovanni were forced out of the competition midway through the series last year, when Amanda decided to walk from the show. Later, she claimed that experience left her so shaken she was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Shortly after the claims against him were made, Giovanni strongly denied any allegations made against him. Instructing a top legal firm to defend him in his cases, the dancer said he was “looking forward to clearing his name”, leaving Strictly altogether in the process.
(Image: BBC)
The investigation also focused on the “toxic” work culture surrounding the Saturday night favourite for the channel. Over the course of its findings, it was discovered that another Italian pro, Graziano di Prima, was responsible for abuse towards his partner Zara McDermott – and promptly dismissed.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
