Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Strictly Come Dancing pros transform into Minions for Movie Week’s group routine as the show returns after BBC’s bombshell report into bullying probe

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Strictly Come Dancing professional dancers are set to perform a Minions-themed routine on Saturday to mark the show’s annual Movie Week. 

Kai Widdrington, 29, who missed out on a celebrity partner this series, agreed to go bald and sported a comedy nose to become the Despicable Me’s hapless villain, Gru. 

Other professional dancers including Katya Jones, 35, and Johannes Radebe, 37, were painted yellow to become the mayhem-loving Minions. 

While talking about their routine, a proud Kai told the Daily Star: ‘It’s a very funny dance. Kids will enjoy it.’ 

It comes after the BBC cleared Giovanni Pernice, 34, of physically abusive behaviour towards his former Strictly partner Amanda Abbington, 50, while upholding some of her complaints.

Strictly Come Dancing stars are set to perform a Minions-themed routine on Saturday to mark the show’s annual Movie Week

During recent filming, professional dancer Kai Widdrington, 29, agreed to go bald and sported a comedy nose to become the film's hapless villain, Gru

During recent filming, professional dancer Kai Widdrington, 29, agreed to go bald and sported a comedy nose to become the film’s hapless villain, Gru

Pictured villain Gru and Minions in Despicable Me 4

Pictured villain Gru and Minions in Despicable Me 4

After six months of investigating the Sherlock actress’ claims after she previously branded Giovanni ‘abusive, cruel and mean’, they have finally found he was not physically abusive but upheld some claims of verbal bullying and harassment and did issue an apology to Amanda.

Out of 17 complaints, they upheld six, some of which are for Giovanni using swear words. The report says that his language could be ‘belittling.’ Sources say they found ‘instances of it.’

The BBC also agreed with Amanda that at times he appeared to be giving her overly negative feedback. 

It also concluded there were two moments of ‘inappropriate behaviour of sexual banter in the workplace’ which were found to be made and received as jokes, humour and compliments of Amanda dancing. The review has found this was a two-way, consensual way of talking and behaving.

However, her complaint that he sent her a video on WhatsApp which she deemed to be inappropriate was also not upheld. The BBC did not find anything sexually inappropriate either.

Commenting on Giovanni’s reaction to the report, a source close to the Italian star said: ‘Gio is pleased that this has been thrown out after what has been a torrid nine months or so for him.’

‘From the outset, Giovanni has rejected any claims of threatening or abusive behaviour. While it appreciates that the BBC has likely decided to uphold some allegations to avoid the accusations of a ‘whitewash’ – they’ve upheld the weakest allegations put to him.’

Sources have told MailOnline Amanda’s bullying claims amounted to Giovanni swearing at her and not giving her enough feedback during their rehearsal sessions which took place last autumn. She also claimed her partner stepped on her toe.

Other professional dancers including Katya Jones, 35, and Johannes Radebe, 37,were painted yellow to become the mayhem-loving Minions

Other professional dancers including Katya Jones, 35, and Johannes Radebe, 37,were painted yellow to become the mayhem-loving Minions

While talking about their routine, a proud Kai said: ''It's a very funny dance. Kids will enjoy it'

While talking about their routine, a proud Kai said: ”It’s a very funny dance. Kids will enjoy it’

They said: ‘Giovanni has never tried to say he isn’t a hard taskmaster but he isn’t a bully and no evidence of that was found.’

‘It was an evidence-based investigation and there was simply no evidence to back up what she was saying about Giovanni. He denied it all along and he has now been exonerated.’

Sources close to the Sicilian heart-throb Giovanni say he spent much time trying to counsel Amanda, who would admit herself that she was a ‘nightmare.’

‘Gio tried to find common ground with Amanda all of the time,’ said one source. ‘She admitted herself she was difficult, Gio tried his best to navigate this and when she quit for medical reasons he still helped her after that.’

‘The last nine months have taken their toll on Giovanni, he has kept going though. As he says, his Strictly career in the UK might be over but his dancing one isn’t. He will keep going, he has done nothing wrong.’

‘It all seems such a huge waste of time, it is hard to see what this has all achieved.’

Giovanni quit Strictly last April after the BBC said it was launching the inquiry. He had been offered a new contract to star in the 2024 series – the 20th anniversary – and was set to sign it.

He is currently appearing on the Italian version of the show, Ballando con le Stelle in which he is partnered with singer and actress Bianca Guaccero.

His appearance came after BBC bosses endorsed the star to take part in the Italian version of Strictly, despite Amanda’s claims he bullied her.

It comes after BBC chiefs unveiled the findings from their six-month investigation into Amanda Abbington's explosive allegations that her Strictly partner Giovanni bullied her in training

It comes after BBC chiefs unveiled the findings from their six-month investigation into Amanda Abbington’s explosive allegations that her Strictly partner Giovanni bullied her in training 

In one interview, Amanda, 50, compared the dance show to 'the trenches' and claimed BBC producers had been left 'horrified' by clips

In one interview, Amanda, 50, compared the dance show to ‘the trenches’ and claimed BBC producers had been left ‘horrified’ by clips 

Her former partner Giovanni, 34, quit the BBC show but is now starring in the Italian version, Ballando con le Stelle

Her former partner Giovanni, 34, quit the BBC show but is now starring in the Italian version, Ballando con le Stelle

As the deadline for him to sign to appear on Ballando con le Stelle drew closer chiefs intervened and endorsed Giovanni to join as a professional dancer on the show.

There were fears that bosses of the Italian series, which is filmed in Rome, would not hire him amid the allegations.

In a statement, the broadcaster said: ‘The BBC has now concluded its review into the complaints made by Amanda Abbington against Giovanni Pernice.

‘We take any allegations of bullying and harassment very seriously and this review has taken time due to its complex nature and our desire to ensure a rigorous and robust process was undertaken.

‘Strictly Come Dancing is a family show and we rightly expect very high standards. While competition can be tough, rigorous and demanding, we want the show to ultimately be a joyous and transformative experience.

‘It is a great shame if this hasn’t been the case for everyone who has appeared on the show.

‘We have assessed the complaints and we have upheld some, but not all, of the complaints made.

‘We want to apologise to Amanda Abbington and to thank her for coming forward and taking part. We know this would not have been an easy thing to do.’

‘At the time, although the production team took steps to address the issues as they understood them, ultimately these were not enough.’

‘This is why the measures we have taken to further strengthen our existing protocols are so important.’

‘The BBC heard from a number of individuals in making its findings. We want to thank them for participating.’

‘The BBC has already taken extensive steps to enhance our duty of care for everyone on the show and a full note of these steps is published alongside this statement.’

Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday at 18:25pm on BBC One and iPlayer. 

Timeline of the Strictly scandal 

2023

October 23: Actress Amanda Abbington pulls out of Strictly.

October 24: Abbington says ‘it is with deepest regret’ that she has had to leave Strictly ‘for personal reasons’ that have made her ‘unable to continue’.

2024

January 6: The Sun reports that Abbington has demanded footage of her rehearsals with partner Pernice.

January 13: Abbington tells The Sun On Sunday that she was ‘diagnosed with mild PTSD’ after Strictly and received death threats after her stint on the show.

March 16: Pernice tells The Mirror’s Invite Only podcast it is a ‘shame’ that Abbington left the show early as he feels they could have ‘gone all the way’.

May 18: Pernice rejects allegations that he displayed ‘abusive or threatening behaviour’ while working as a professional dancer, amid reports that the BBC is looking into complaints about his conduct on the show.

May 29: The BBC promises to handle any complaints with ‘care, fairness and sensitivity’ to all sides, after reports about Pernice’s teaching methods.

June 10: The BBC confirms Pernice will not return as a professional in 2024.

June 16: Pernice says in an Instagram statement that he is ‘co-operating fully with the ongoing BBC investigation, which will determine the truth’.

June 25:  Professional dancer Gorka Marquez says it is ‘just sad for everybody’ when someone leaves the line-up, in the wake of Pernice’s exit.

July 13: Di Prima confirms his departure from the show amid reports of allegations about his conduct with a past participant.

July 14: Abbington tells The Sunday Times the show was ‘tough and horrible’ and that the aftermath has ‘been really brutal and it just hasn’t stopped’.

July 16: Love Island star Zara McDermott responds to reports about her alleged mistreatment on the show and says she has spoken candidly to the BBC. The corporation announces measures ‘to strengthen welfare and support’ on the show, including a chaperone who will watch dress rehearsals ‘at all times’.

July 18: Di Prima’s spokesman says he has been left ‘in a very vulnerable state’ and he ‘deeply regrets and apologised for’ an isolated incident at the time.

July 22: Paralympian Will Bayley, who was partnered with Janette Manrara, says there was ‘no duty of care’ on the show, and he suffered torn knee ligaments after performing a jump. Manrara’s spokeswoman says she ‘has never received any complaints and has maintained friendships with all her partners, including Will’.

July 23: Director-general of the BBC, Tim Davie, apologises to contestants who have had an experience that ‘hasn’t been wholly positive’, and said the broadcaster will not ‘tolerate unacceptable behaviour of any kind’.

July 24: Abbington gives her first TV interview about the Strictly controversy, to Channel 4 News, and says she wants to encourage people who feel ‘bullied’ or are in a situation they feel is ‘toxic and unsafe’ to complain, despite the backlash she has allegedly received.

July 29: Irish TV presenter and former Love Island host Laura Whitmore alleges that she was subjected to ‘inappropriate behaviour’. She was partnered with Pernice in 2016, but does name him, and adds that she has spoken to the BBC’s investigation team.

August: A former member of Strictly’s production staff claimed that crew faced ‘shouting, screaming and being insulted’. BBC Studios says it does ‘not recognise these anonymous claims, nor will hundreds of production personnel who have worked with us’.

August 10: Di Prima denies he is ‘an abusive man’, and says he does not know from where McDermott’s allegations had stemmed. He claims he ‘kicked the floor in frustration’, and did not mean to hit her.

August 13: The full Strictly 2024 line-up is announced, with DIY SOS star Nick Knowles, former England footballer Paul Merson and Olympic hockey gold medallist Sam Quek the final three contestants.

August 22: The show will feature live signing for the first time, the BBC says.

September 7: Pernice says he is joining the Italian ‘equivalent of Dancing With The Stars’, which is called Ballando con le Stelle.

September 12: Strictly wins the talent show gong at the National Television Awards (NTAs).

September 14: Strictly returns with a 2024 cast of celebrities and professionals and makes no reference to the recent controversy.

September 30: The BBC apologises to Abbington, saying it had assessed and ‘upheld some, but not all’ of the complaints.

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