Sherlock star Amanda Abbington has seemed to have made a subtle dig towards former Strictly Come Dancing partner Giovanni Pernice after he appeared to brand her a “mad woman” during one of his live shows.
Since Abbington’s “bullying” allegations, many more former contestants on the BBC reality show have come forward and made claims against four other professional dancers.
Graziano Di Prima was axed from the show and this year’s lineup after an eye-witness claimed the Italian “kicked, hit and spat” at Zara McDermott during their time together.
Anton Du Beke was then thrown into the chaos and is said to be bracing himself for a legal complaint over historic allegations from one of his former dance partners, Laila Rouass.
The Daily Mirror reported that Rouass’ complaint to lawyer’s Carter Ruck was concerning a remark made by the dancer in which he reportedly said she looked like “a p**i” following a spray tan. He later apologised.
Janette Manrara has also had her name creep in after Paralympian Will Bayley claimed that intense training pressures led to him performing a move that has left him with the pain he’ll be dealing with for the rest of his life.
Amanda Abbington claimed that Giovanni Pernice’s behaviour was “unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean”
BBC
Bayley noted that Manrara described his first attempt as “rubbish” and despite living with arthrogryposis which limits the range of motion in his joints, Bayley felt forced to try again: “I hope what I went through never happens to anyone else.”
Another female dancer has also been complained about, but their name has not yet been released, with OK! Magazine reporting that the dancer “screamed” in their partner’s face, leaving them to feel “victimised”.
The male contestant is reportedly preparing to submit his complaint to legal firm Carter Ruck, but it is believed there are no claims of physical abuse in this instance, with the celebrity in question also set to criticise senior BBC figures for not offering support.
Pernice has vehemently denied the claims which Abbington has made against him and recently appeared to make a dig at the actress during his tour with Du Beke over the weekend.
Giovanni Pernice alluded to Amanda Abbington being a “mad woman”
On Sunday, July 21, Abbington told The Sun that she found the ballroom star’s training methods “unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean,” with the ballroom dancer hitting back and telling his audience: “Oh, I will be back, don’t you worry.
“Let’s see what this mad woman has got to say next,” leaving Du Beke to reply: “Gio you can’t say that.”
Since the comments, Abbington has been photographed wearing a jumper which had a cryptic phrase on the front which read: “You’re only as cool as you treat people.”
She was seen arriving at theatre rehearsals in the heart of London and has reportedly been encouraging other stars to speak to lawyers about issues they faced on the BBC show.
Anton Du Beke has also been thrown into the investigation chaos
ITV
During her interview with The Sun, Abbington claimed: “I found Giovanni’s behaviour unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean. I couldn’t sit back and let him do that to other people.
“I had to think long and hard about making a complaint because I knew the backlash I would get. But I would not have been able to live with myself for future people going on that show.
“I know what happened in that room, it’s on video and I have no problem with anyone seeing that. It’s a duty of care that is needed.”
Today, it seems Pernice threw his backing behind McDermott by liking her most recent Instagram post – despite working alongside Di Prima for years on the show.