Amanda Abbington has reportedly accused Giovanni Pernice of ‘stamping on her foot’ during his ‘militant’ training sessions on Strictly Come Dancing.
The professional dancer, 33, who vehemently denies any claims of threatening or abusive behaviour and has vowed to ‘clear his name’, stepped down from the show after eight years this week.
It comes as the BBC investigates ‘serious workplace misconduct claims’ by three of his celebrity partners.
Off the back of Giovanni’s departure, friends close to Amanda, 52, have spoken about how she found the pro dancer ‘abrasive’ and would have to have ‘crisis talks’ with show bosses every week after being left in floods of tears at his ‘tough’ training method with claims it left her ‘bruised‘.
‘Amanda had a terrible experience with Gio. She felt his behaviour was bullying and abrasive. She would be in tears as communication between them broke down. She tried every avenue to try and make it work,’ a source told The Sun.
Amanda Abbington has reportedly accused Giovanni Pernice of ‘stamping on her foot’ during his ‘militant’ training sessions on Strictly Come Dancing
Off the back of Giovanni’s departure, friends close to Amanda, 52, have spoken about how she found the pro dancer ‘abrasive’ and would have to have ‘crisis talks’ with show bosses
It comes after he was pictured earlier in the day for the first time since quitting Strictly as the BBC investigates ‘serious workplace misconduct claims’ by three of his celebrity partners
Giovanni shared a post to Instagram detailing that he was ‘totally surprised’ by the allegations, which he denies
‘There would be crisis talks every Friday after producers watched back the video footage of their rehearsals but it would always end up toxic again by the end of the following week.
‘Runners would check in on the training weekly and she would regularly be seen crying and feeling very sad and despondent, she desperately wanted it to work but invariably it would break down.’
The Sherlock star said she was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and demanded to see footage from rehearsals.
Giovanni shared a post to Instagram detailing that he was ‘totally surprised’ by the allegations, which he denies.
He said in a statement: ‘You will be as surprised as I am that allegations have been made about my dance teaching methods in the media this week.
‘Of course, I reject any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour, and I look forward to clearing my name.
‘Those who have followed my journey on Strictly Come Dancing over the last decade will know that I am passionate and competitive. No-one is more ambitious for my dance partners than me.
‘I have always striven to help them be the very best dancers they can be. This has always come from a place of love and wanting to win – for me and my dance partners.
‘Thank you all once again for your continued love and support!’
Following his post, fans rushed to the comments to share their thoughts with the professional dancer as many of them confessed their love for him.
And while he has profusely ‘rejected any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour’, sources have told the publication that Amanda had a ‘terrible time’
Amanda has led the charge in accusing him of ‘difficult behaviour’ during training and is currently speaking with the BBC to discuss possible workplace misconduct
His fans flocked to his comment box to share their thoughts on the matter and confess their love for the TV personality.
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Amanda, the BBC and Giovanni for a comment.
Giovanni is in Portugal amid the furore. He has fled the country with girlfriend Molly Brown, 25, after reports emerged he would not appear in 20th anniversary series later this year.
He was seen for the first time since news of his departure emerged on Saturday, going shopping before enjoying an alfresco drink with pals.
Amanda has led the charge in accusing him of ‘difficult behaviour’ during training and is currently speaking with the BBC to discuss possible workplace misconduct.
The actress is said to have met with Laura Whitmore, 39, and Ranvir Singh, 46, earlier this year for an ’emotional summit’ to ‘compare notes’ about their time working with Giovanni amid the BBC’s probe.
Sources told MailOnline the professional dancer walked away from the show because his future was ‘hanging in the balance’.
Bosses of the dance show could not categorically determine his future until the completion of an internal investigation, which is believed to have sparked Giovanni’s decision to quit after almost a decade.
A TV insider said: ‘Giovanni is the subject is an internal investigation, which is an ongoing matter.
In the snaps, Giovanni was spotted shopping with his girlfriend as he cut a casual figure in a white T-shirt and some dark shades
In another snap, the dancing pro appeared worlds away from his Strictly drama as he and his girlfriend enjoyed some cocktails in the sunshine
In the snap, Giovanni appeared relaxed as he strolled around the shops with his girlfriend and a pal
Giovanni is currently on holiday with his girlfriend Molly Brown, 25, who three days ago shared a series of photos with the dancer, referring to him as her ‘best friend’
‘Strictly would not be able to terminate his contract until the findings of the investigation are complete, so his future was hanging in the balance.
‘And besides, dancers are offered one-year deals to compete in the show, so it would just be a case of Giovanni not being given a new contract to compete in the next series.’
The source continued: ‘There’s no hiding from the fact the complaints lodged by ex-celebrity contestants is not a good look for either Giovanni or the show itself.
‘Strictly are taking them seriously which is why the issue is rumbling on.
‘But Giovanni is determined to prove he’s innocent of all accusations, but the stress and unwelcome attention they’ve caused is clearly a reason why he’s looking at pastures new.’
It was reported he had quit Strictly on Thursday night and the following day it emerged the BBC had launched an internal investigation just weeks after saying they wouldn’t be looking into the matter further.
The Italian professional had previously been accused of being ‘too tough’ behind the scenes by several of his former celebrity partners including Amanda, as well as Ranvir and Laura.
Giovanni previously defended his training style, saying: ‘I’m definitely a perfectionist.
‘Like everybody else, I like to win. But for me, it’s more about bringing the best out of partners, especially if I see that there is talent there. I want to do my job properly.’
A spokeswoman, from £700 an hour Carter-Ruck, told The Sun: ‘There have been numerous serious complaints made to the BBC who are now in the process of evidence gathering.
‘As it is still an ongoing matter no further comment can be made at this stage’.
Giovanni has faced a wave of scrutiny ever since his dance partner Amanda (pictured) dramatically quit last year
In 2016, former Love Island host Laura Whitmore said she ‘cried every day’ and felt ‘uncomfortable’ while training with him
The Good Morning Britain presenter Ranvir Singh also complained about Giovanni to producers back in 2020, during their time on the show
The BBC said two months ago that they would not be investigating Giovanni’s behaviour with Amanda.
A spokesperson said at the time: ‘There is a constant dialogue between the senior production team and contestants to ensure any concerns are addressed swiftly.’
A spokesman for the BBC has declined to comment on Giovanni’s departure. They told MailOnline: ‘The professional dancers for 2024 will be announced in due course’.
In 2016, former Love Island host Laura Whitmore said she ‘cried every day’ and felt ‘uncomfortable’ while training with him.
She later wrote for HuffPost UK in 2018: ‘I’m still not ready to talk in-depth about my experience on the show.
‘I was placed with a dance partner I was extremely uncomfortable with and in the end I felt broken, I cried every day. And I really was broken, both mentally and physically, by the end.’
It’s also thought that Giovanni also clashed with his 2018 celebrity partner Faye Tozer.
The former member of the 1990s band Steps, Faye Tozer, is said to have struggled to work with him and broke down in tears following an appearance together on the spin-off show, It Takes Two.
Meanwhile, his 2022 partner Richie Anderson has unfollowed him on Instagram.
Good Morning Britain host Ranvir, who reportedly made a complaint against Giovanni to the BBC in 2020, admitted to feeling ‘scared’ of the Italian.
Giovanni has jetted off to Portugal with his girlfriend Molly amid the furore
It’s also thought that Giovanni clashed with his 2018 celebrity partner Faye Tozer (pictured)
Meanwhile, his 2022 partner Richie Anderson has unfollowed him on Instagram
According to an insider, Giovanni feels like he has achieved everything he can on the show, having lifted the glitterball with Rose Ayling-Ellis in 2021 and got to the final several times
Other former partners have also come out to back him, including Debbie McGee, the widow of the magician Paul Daniels, who was paired with him in 2017.
Giovanni also had a positive relationship with deaf contestant Rose Ayling-Ellis, 29, whom he led to a triumphant victory in 2021, with the pair going on to win a TV BAFTA for their silent dance routine.
Shortly after Amanda’s allegations, Debbie shared a beaming throwback picture of her and Giovanni taken backstage during their stint together. ‘Happy memories, Giovanni and I had the best of times on Strictly,’ she said in the caption.
He hasn’t completely cut ties with BBC, however, with another insider revealing that the BBC is considering commissioning another travel series with Anton Du Beke following strong viewer feedback.