MAY 17, 2024: the day that changed Strictly Come Dancing for ever.
The revelation that numerous high-profile stars had clubbed together and instructed lawyers to take action against the BBC set in motion a chain of events that no one could have foreseen.
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The past ten weeks have dealt a seismic blow to Britain’s national broadcaster — and still the punches keep coming.
Quite where this whole scandal will end, nobody knows.
One thing is for certain, though. Strictly — the family-favourite Saturday night dance competition — will never be the same again.
It has been trending on social media for days as more and more celebs come out of the woodwork to share their own horror experiences.
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Indeed, some have questioned whether the resulting exit of dancers Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima, and claims of workplace bullying or/and misconduct, are the BBC’s very own #MeToo moment.
The Sun can today reveal that Giovanni has “bombshell” recorded audio in which Amanda Abbington — the woman who helped launch the legal action — apologises to him for being a “nightmare”.
In a highly charged exchange, she acknowledges she can be hard to work with and essentially thanks Giovanni for “putting up with her”.
‘Hanging by a thread’
The exchange lasts for around six and a half minutes, and is thought to have been recorded as part of rehearsal footage by the BBC.
Pernice, 33, believes this, alongside other messages, will clear his name.
For her part, Amanda, 50, fears the BBC may have “lost” some of the 50 hours of footage she claims will prove her allegations that she was grossly mistreated.
Her lawyers also hope that more women — currently considering making formal complaints to the BBC — will have the courage to do so.
Within the past 48 hours, the Sherlock actress has also been contacted by two other “high-profile” ex-Strictly contestants, praising her decision to speak out and urging her to “keep going”.
Day by day the situation is changing, and right now the future of Strictly is hanging by a thread.
Inside source
The so-called curse of Strictly — whereby marriages end, affairs are conducted and sexual tangos commence — now seems the very least of the BBC’s issues.
A source said: “Day by day the situation is changing, and right now the future of Strictly is hanging by a thread.
“Internal meetings are happening on an almost daily basis, and BBC execs are living in fear of a ‘smoking gun’ moment — something that irreversibly undermines and damages the entire brand, and brings Strictly crashing down.
“They are doing all they can to detoxify the show — new measures and protocol are in place to safeguard — and they hope to formally conclude the ongoing probe within the next week.”
Indeed, the internal investigation into Pernice has become something of a sword of Damocles looming over this year’s series.
The threat of the BBC being forced to “rest” the show for 12 months is something no one wants — and something director-general Tim Davie hoped to put to bed, for want of a better phrase, in his address this week. In it, he apologised on behalf of the under-fire corporation for the first time.
Decision next week
Those close to Giovanni believe he will be cleared. A decision is expected at the end of next week.
And while the BBC may not wish to publicly reveal its findings — despite pressure to do so — friends of the Sicilian are likely to leak any exoneration after what they consider a “two-month witch hunt” against him.
Meanwhile, Amanda’s friends are buoyed by the public support she has received following her emotional interviews on Channel 4 News and ITV’s Lorraine.
Only a monster would question obvious distress.
“When women say how the actions of a man made them feel, believe them,” wrote one commentator on X/Twitter. “Amanda has nothing to gain from this and everything to lose. She was brave to speak up, knowing the inevitable response she would get.”
While some have been quick to knock Amanda — this is social media, after all — many messages of support have been in this vein.
Giovanni refutes any claim of threatening or abusive behaviour and, having provided the BBC with his evidence, is confident the review will prove this.
Spokesman for Giovanni
Thus far, the most toxic of revelations has been Graziano Di Prima’s kicking of his partner, Zara McDermott, during training last year.
But in the wake of these reports, Graziano is in hiding in Italy and “under medical supervision”.
After firing him, the BBC still has a duty of care to a man who has yet to share his side of the story.
Whatever happens now, the training hours and methods will be sanitised — less blood, sweat and tears, more fake tan, jazz hands and rictus grins.
The perfect tens may be over, replaced by a return of good old-fashioned donkeys being trundled along the ballroom floor.
Thus far we have Bank of Dave’s Dave Fishwick, 53, and DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles, 61, lined-up — neither exactly famed for their snake-hipped ways.
But one thing is for sure; the BBC will be banking on a fun-filled, scandal-free year.
After axing Top Gear, the dual-jewel in its crown, the corporation cannot afford to lose another gem.
Last night, a spokesman for Giovanni said: “We are cooperating fully with the BBC’s review.
“Giovanni refutes any claim of threatening or abusive behaviour and, having provided the BBC with his evidence, is confident the review will prove this.”
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