TERRIFIED Strictly star Amanda Abbington has called in police after being bombarded with death threats from trolls.
The actress, 50, has received dozens of horrific messages a day from fans of her ex-dance partner Giovanni Pernice, 33, who she accuses of bullying behaviour.
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She has deleted her Instagram after getting dozens of messages a day from fans of her pro former dance partner Giovanni Pernice.
One wrote: “I hope you get cancer and die. Poor Giovanni.”
Another says: “You nearly ruined Giovanni’s career you bitch, who do you think you are, you should crawl under a rock and die bitch.”
The Sherlock actress, 50, has been in touch with local police officers to take measures to protect herself and her family.
A source said: “Amanda has been left petrified and feeling very vulnerable in public.
“She has been worried about leaving the house to do simple errands like walking the dog or picking up groceries.
“At one point she was struggling to field the hundreds of messages from Giovanni supporters saying nasty things and threatening her safety.
“It was awful to cope with. The sheer volume was horrendous and the content was unspeakable and incredibly threatening. The police have taken the messages seriously.”
The source said Amanda decided to delete her Instagram earlier this month — but it had not stopped the trolls from getting to her.
They added: “It has felt like a real public pile on and got very ugly with personal, offensive attacks.”
The bullying probe into Italian star Gio, 33, is ongoing at the BBC.
He recently quit Strictly but vehemently denies the allegations and has vowed to clear his name.
There is no suggestion he knows anything about the trolls’ messages to Amanda.
TV host Laura Whitmore, 39, is also contributing to the investigation which is being spearheaded by two ex-Met detectives.
Amanda has two kids with her ex, former Sherlock co-star Martin Freeman.
She owns four dogs and was recently seen out cradling miniature dachshund Maple.
Amanda has been left petrified and feeling very vulnerable in public
Source
Earlier this year she was shocked to be diagnosed with mild PTSD following her stint on Strictly.
She told The Sun on Sunday in January: “I’m very sorry that people felt the need to threaten my children and bring up my past, healthy relationship with an ex-partner as an indicator of my current mental health.”
The Sun told this month how Gio has blocked the release of video tapes of his rehearsals after Amanda asked BBC bosses for them to prove her claims.
Last week he cut a forlorn figure when pictured visiting two dingy fruit machine arcades in West London.
An onlooker revealed he had blown £1,000 on the slot machines in a week.
He is reportedly in advanced talks to join the Italian version of Strictly, Ballando con le Stelle — as either a judge or pro dancer.
Last night a BBC spokesman said: “It is our longstanding position that we do not comment on specific matters relating to individuals.”
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