The Strictly Come Dancing cast have reportedly been banned from discussing the Giovanni Pernice ‘bullying row’.
Bosses are said to be worried the family-friendly reputation of the show is tainted and want to do everything they can to stop people from talking.
The BBC launched an investigation after Giovanni, 33, was accused of ‘bullying behaviour’ while working with celebrity contestants on the dancing show, including Amanda Abbingdon, Ranvir Singh and Laura Whitmore.
The show celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and executives are hoping the focus can be on that, rather than Pernice saga.
The crackdown from executives comes after head judge Shirley Ballas defended the professional dancer when she appeared on ITV‘s Lorraine calling him a ‘perfect gentleman’.
The Strictly Come Dancing cast have reportedly been banned from discussing the Giovanni Pernice bullying row
The BBC launched an investigation after Giovanni, 33, was accused of ‘threatening and abusive behaviour’ while working with celebrity contestants on Strictly Come Dancing, including Amanda Abbingdon (pictured)
After head judge Shirley Ballas described the Italian pro as a ‘gentleman’ a source said it was ‘far from helpful’ and ‘stoked the flames’ which is why bosses are wanting to quiet things down
A source told The Sun: ‘We’re just a few weeks away from the 2024 cast reveal and bosses are worried the scandal is now dangerously close to overshadowing the new series.
‘A lot of work has gone into it as it’s the 20th anniversary, and now – still – all anyone talks about is Giovanni.
‘Shirley launching such a passionate defence of him was far from helpful and stoked the flames. Bosses hope gagging the cast will help.’
They added that all professionals have been trained on how to handle questions and sidestep difficult topics.
Since the accusations – which Giovanni strongly denies – the pro dancer has quit the show.
Shirley defended the Italian dancer earlier in the year, calling him an ‘absolute gentleman’.
Speaking about the bombshell revelations, Shirley said on Lorraine: ‘I’ve known Giovanni for many years and he is an absolutely splendid teacher.
‘My only ever experience with him is he is an absolute gentlemen. He gives 100%.
Speaking about the bombshell revelations, Shirley said on Lorraine that Giovanni was ‘a splendid teacher’ and added ‘he is an absolute gentlemen’
Amanda Abbington has claimed the show left her with PTSD and that she had requested their dance practices to be filmed, not him (pictured together in October 2023)
It was reported that the rehearsal tapes between Amanda and Giovanni would not be released to the actress after she demanded them to prove her claims of bullying
‘Strictly and shows like that they are tough shows so you know when you sign up for that kind of thing. It’s quite difficult to do the show.’
Giovanni’s former celebrity partner Amanda Abbington has claimed the show left her with PTSD and reportedly demanded footage of the pairs rehearsals together, presumably hoping the video footage could ‘back up’ her claims.
Three women, including actress Amanda, have also reportedly hired £700-an-hour lawyers at leading London law firm Carter Ruck.
The dancer launched a fightback by hiring rival law firm Schillings. His case is being handled by Joelle Rich, 39, who represented Johnny Depp in his libel trial in 2020.
Despite requesting the video footage, Amanda will reportedly not be given the tapes.
It appears it may be the BBC can’t give her the tapes because they feature a third person, Giovanni, not just her.
He is therefore entitled for private information or content about him not to be disclosed without his authorisation.
The Sherlock actress, 51, previously rubbished reports Giovanni had asked the BBC to record his rehearsals with the actress over what he claimed were his growing concerns about her ‘behaviour’ – claiming she had requested their dance practices to be filmed, not him.
She told The Daily Mail: ‘I asked for them to be recorded, it was me.’
It comes after Amanda reportedly ‘called the police after receiving death threats from trolls‘ as the bullying controversy continues.
According to reports, Amanda had already been bombarded by ‘unspeakable and incredibly threatening’ messages from troll fans of Giovanni.