Amanda Abbington has reportedly been questioned by BBC bosses for a second time about ‘crude comments’ she claimed were made by Giovanni Pernice.
The Sherlock star, 50, 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.
‘The BBC is taking this extremely seriously. Giovanni maintains he’s done nothing wrong, and Amanda insists everything she has told the BBC is true,’ a source told The Sun.
‘So whatever decision the BBC comes to, it is unlikely to be the end of the matter.’
Amanda Abbington has reportedly been questioned by BBC bosses for a second time about ‘crude comments’ she claimed were made by Giovanni Pernice
The Sherlock star, 50, 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
MailOnline has 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.
In one interview, Amanda compared the dance show to ‘the trenches’. Giovanni has denied all claims
‘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 newest update comes 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.
The actress is starring in new play When It Happens To You at the Park Theatre in Finsbury
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 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.’