Strictly Come Dancing has had its reputation hindered over the last couple of months after Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima were axed from the show after claims of “misconduct” and “bullying” – with many more claims coming out from past contestants.
Abbington recently sat down with Channel 4 presenter Krishnan Guru-Murphy to briefly discuss what she went through when training with Pernice – however, admitted she couldn’t go fully into detail due to the ongoing investigations.
The Strictly professional’s began their training this month
GB News recently sat down with body language expert Darren Stanton who claimed that the “damage has been done” for the show and can’t see how the show will return after this year’s 20th anniversary.
He explained: “I think they learnt quite a bit from Giovanni, but I think it might be the case of locking the gate after the horse has bolted really, the damage has been done.
“They did learn something but there were still systems in place which allowed it to happen again. I think certainly now they have a real duty of care.
“They did learn to a degree and they put all the measures in for what they are aware of, but there are certainly still things in hindsight that they could have done.”
Amanda Abbington claimed there was an instance of a “sexual nature”
BBC
He also noted that he felt that the new chaperone rules could “hinder rapport” between the professionals and celebrities, meaning their performances may not be the best to their ability.
“I think a person’s level of performance on the dancefloor is linked to the relationship formed between those two people. Having a third party in there could affect the integrity of the show in some respect.
“I get what they are doing, they are giving somebody an outlet to speak to, I get that but I am not quite sure, it could change the whole dynamic of the show.”
The recent allegations came as a tearful Abbington seemed to allude to an incident of a “sexual nature” during her interview with Guru-Murphy, leaving Pernice “cross” with the star.
New claims have surfaced that Zara McDermott trained with a broken leg
BBC
A source close to Pernice’s team has told the Daily Mail: “Gio is so cross. He just can’t work out why she would come out and say these things. She didn’t give any further detail, it’s like she drops a bomb and then doesn’t follow it through.
“The verdict is just days away now, it’s the home straight for him but he is absolutely determined to clear his name. He and his team are adamant that there is something concrete which will prove that Amanda is telling lies.
“He can’t wait for the truth to come out, it will be a huge relief for him. Giovanni is not going to let this go. It is basically war now. He will clear his name with all the evidence he has.”