Strictly scandal – live: Giovanni Pernice BBC investigation result imminent as I’m a Celebrity rumour surfaces

Ancient The Island of Love Host Laura Whitmore, who teamed up with professional dancer Giovanni Pernice in 2016, has claimed she was the victim of “inappropriate behaviour” on her show. Come and dance if necessary.

Whitmore has been reported to have filed a complaint in the past, but this is the first time she has spoken publicly.

The presenter, who injured her ankle during the show, said she “expressed her concerns” at the time.

Pernice has previously denied allegations of “threatening or abusive behavior” made by Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington, who partnered with him in 2023.

In an Instagram Story shared on Saturday (July 27), Whitmore wrote: “I initially expressed my concerns in 2016. I thought my experience was unique to me, but I have since learned that I was wrong.”

“The goal is to show behavior that I believe needs to stop.”

She said: “I’m not looking for anything, just acceptance that what happened to me in the rehearsal rooms during my time on BBC Strictly was wrong and it won’t happen to anyone else.”

The TV presenter later said she had not made a formal complaint and was providing evidence of her experience to support the BBC’s investigation.

The results of the BBC’s internal investigation into Giovanni Pernice’s behind-the-scenes behaviour are to be announced privately today (July 29). It is not known when the findings will be made public, but Pernice has expressed hope that he will be cleared this week.

Pernice will meet BBC executives to hear the outcome of the investigation, launched after allegations made by his former dance partner Amanda Abbington.

Last week, Abbington claimed there were more than “50 hours” of footage that had left producers “horrified” by her alleged treatment at the hands of Pernice, who has denied all allegations of wrongdoing.

In a new interview, Amanda Abbington’s father John has said he worries about his daughter all the time.

“It’s the after-effects that worry me too. Will she be able to continue her career?”

He said his daughter was “no snowflake” and had “thick skin” thanks to her years of training at drama school.

John said he and Abbington’s mother Patsy were looking forward to seeing their daughter at the dance show, but it soon became clear she wasn’t enjoying it.

“We were all looking forward to it. After the first show, she came back and said it was the hardest thing she had ever done. Things just got worse from there,” he said.

“I knew there was something wrong with her because I could see the change in her,” Patsy said. “She had completely changed.”

John said Abbington’s partner Jonathan Goodwin had to “persuade” the actor to get in the car every day to take him to the Strictly the training rooms because she “hated it.”

“She missed a week because she wasn’t feeling well, and then she came back a week later and realized she couldn’t handle what was happening to her,” John said. “Then [her doctor] “He was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.”

A third Come and dance if necessary The star has reportedly been named as a “person of interest” in an investigation into off-screen rehearsals for the BBC show.

It has been claimed that the unidentified professional came into the spotlight in the days following Graziano Di Prima’s ouster from the show for kicking his celebrity partner Zara McDermott on last year’s show.

StrictlyProfessional dancers are said to be angry because their former celebrity partners are “letting them down.”

As the show’s scandal continues, a source said The mirror“This causes indescribable stress and mental anguish for many of them, as every day new accusations are brought.

“Yes, there may have been one or two celebrities in the last twenty years who have had a bad experience, but they are in the minority. This whole thing feels like an ambulance chase.”

Graziano Di Prima’s family said they were “deeply concerned” for his well-being following his dismissal. Strictly.

They said The mirror:”Graziano is currently under medical supervision, the stress of the situation causing great concern among his family, who are checking on him every hour.

“The incessant feeding frenzy caused by these accusations and his mental state currently render him incapable of defending himself.”

His departure from the show comes after he admitted to kicking his celebrity partner Zara McDermott in the rehearsal room during last year’s series.

Amanda Abbington said she didn’t want to Strictly to end because of the scandal.

THE Sherlock The star said in a recent interview: “I love StrictlyI’ve always wanted to do this show. I think it’s a great British institution. Most of the people on it are wonderful and I’ve made some great friends through it, I don’t want it to end.

“I want it to have a nice long life because it’s Saturday night entertainment.”

However, Abbington said she “would like an apology” for the abuse she allegedly suffered at the hands of professional dancer Giovanni Pernice, adding: “I would like it to stop happening to women who work in this business and for it to be taken seriously.”

The BBC has announced new wellbeing precautions to help care for Come and dance if necessary candidates, following allegations of abuse that rocked the flagship show.

A statement shared last week read: “Going forward, we will: have a member of the production team present during training room rehearsals at all times; augment existing support with the addition of two new roles on the show dedicated to social support – a Celebrity Welfare Producer and a Professional Dancer Welfare Producer; and provide additional training to the production team and technical crew.”

Another Come and dance if necessary A candidate spoke out against his appearance on the show.

Paralympian Will Bayley appeared on the BBC dance series in 2019 and was forced to withdraw six weeks later after tearing knee ligaments during rehearsals.

He is now shedding light on his behind-the-scenes experience amid a scandal that has shone a light on the show’s duty of care protocols.

Bayley said the injury, which was caused after professional partner Janette Manrara made him re-jump after a “failed” attempt, resulted in excruciating pain he will live with “forever”.

In a statement regarding Amanda Abbington’s recent interview on Channel 4, in which she claimed there were “50 hours” of Strictly Rehearsal footage that “horrified” BBC producers, Giovanni Pernice’s spokesman said:

“We are cooperating fully with the BBC’s investigation process. All parties have been asked to respect this process and not speak to the media until it is complete. We will continue to respect the integrity of the investigation and believe this is the appropriate forum to consider all the evidence.”

“As part of the evidence-based review, the BBC has shared with us the allegations it has been able to substantiate. They are nothing like Amanda’s latest allegations, which were made to Channel 4. Giovanni denies any allegations of threatening or abusive behaviour and, having provided his evidence to the BBC, is confident that the review will prove this.”