Dancer Giovanni Pernice is reportedly expecting to be cleared of misconduct allegations on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing “within the next week”.
Actress Amanda Abbington was partnered with Pernice when she took part in the show last year but quit five episodes into the series, citing personal reasons.
However, the dancer is now the subject of a BBC investigation after Abbington made a complaint about his conduct.
The Sherlock star went on to make claims in interviews of how Pernice was “abusive, cruel and mean”.
Appearing on Lorraine to discuss her Strictly experience last week, Abbington, 53, said: “It was inappropriate; it was mean, it was nasty, it was bullying. I put up with it for five weeks, six weeks.
“It started early on and when it started to happen, I would shut down because I would recognise those red flags.”
Spokespeople for Pernice have repeatedly insisted that the star is confident his name will be cleared.
A source has now told The Sun that the probe could now conclude within the next week.
‘Future of Strictly hanging by a thread’
Speaking to the newspaper, the anonymous 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.”
It is not known whether the findings of the investigation will be made public.