Strictly silenced! Dance show returns to the BBC with NO mention of Amanda Abbington’s bullying claims or Graziano Di Prima’s sacking as Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman ‘act like nothing had happened’

The months since the last series of Strictly ended have been somewhat tumultuous.

First there were Amanda Abbington‘s claims that Giovanni Pernice bullied her during training, then BBC bosses sacked Graziano Di Prima for kicking his partner Zara McDermott as she lay on the floor.

But last night as the much loved dance competition waltzed back onto our screens, it was like the scandals had never happened.

The show’s millions of fans were anticipating hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman to address the issues but instead they introduced the new series – Strictly’s 20th anniversary – without mentioning any of the fall out.

One member of the audience watching the pre-recorded show told The Mail on Sunday: ‘They just didn’t mention it, it was like they were pretending nothing had happened.

‘We were sitting there waiting to see whether Tess and Claudia wrapped up the whole mess but they didn’t. It was really strange.’

Hosts Claudia Winkleman (left) and Tess Daly (right) did not address the Strictly scandals in the first episode of the show, an audience member told the Mail On Sunday

Neither was there any sign of the report of the investigation into Ms Abbington’s accusations that Mr Pernice was ‘abusive, cruel and mean’ – which he profusely denies.

Despite reports that the inquiry is with lawyers, this newspaper can reveal that it has been concluded but the upper echelons of the Corporation, including director general Tim Davie, have agreed to delay it while they work out a strategy of how to deliver it without offending either party.

They are said to be particularly worried about being seen to accuse Ms Abbington of lying should her complaints not be upheld.

One BBC insider said: ‘The cloud is hanging over, it is such a shame. You think you would finish one series’ business before starting the next but no.

‘It is still a mess and the problem that the BBC have now is that that mess will run into this series, there will be no separation. And if they announce the verdict while this series is on, the whole run will be about Amanda and Gio.’

Meanwhile, Mr Pernice, 34, has begun training for the Italian version of Strictly – Ballando con le Stelle.

He has been partnered with Italian singer and actress Bianca Guaccero, 43, and they were introduced earlier this week as Mr Pernice returned to the rehearsal room for the first time since Ms Abbington’s claims against him only this time it is in Rome, not Britain.

Actress Amanda Abbington (left) accused Giovanni Pernice (right) of being ‘abusive, cruel and mean’ – which he profusely denies

It was recently revealed that the Italian dancer had signed up to Ballando con le Stelle after leaving the UK show amid bullying claims made by former dance partner Amanda Abbington  

Giovanni Pernice was all smiles on Saturday as he posed for playful snaps with his dance partner Bianca Guaccero after beginning rehearsals for the Italian version of Strictly Come Dancing

Graziano Di Prima (left) was also sacked from the BBC show for kicking his partner Zara McDermott (right) as she lay on the floor

It was not until staff got hold of a video allegedly showing Graziano repeatedly hitting Zara– nine months after their initial complaint – that he was fired (pictured with Zara) 

Graziano has continued to insist he would never deliberately hurt anyone

Friends say that he is ‘hopeful’ of winning the Italian glitterball in what would be revenge for the BBC and Ms Abbington.

However, despite claims that Mr Pernice could make a return to Strictly if the verdict falls in his favour, friends of the star say that it is ‘extremely unlikely.’

‘A lot of water will have had to go under the bridge for that to happen,’ said a source close to the Sicilian dancer. ‘It will always be twinged with sadness.’