Amanda Abbington has advised there are 50 hours of footage which her ex-Strictly associate Giovanni Pernice “would not need anybody to see” as she reiterated accusations about him throughout their coaching.
The Sherlock actress claimed the footage was from video cameras she alleges have been put in after she raised considerations in regards to the Italian skilled dancer to producers in her first week on the TV collection.
Pernice, who has since left the present, has strongly denied her claims of “pointless, abusive, merciless and imply” behaviour and says he seems “ahead to clearing [his] identify” amid an ongoing BBC investigation.
Abbington – who appeared as a Strictly contestant final yr – stated the footage was being “blocked” and her lawyer was “not allowed it”.
In an interview with Channel 4 Information, she stated her lawyer was “making an attempt to get a raise on that” however “he [Pernice] would not need anybody to see it, which is sort of telling in case you’ve obtained nothing to cover”.
She stated of the BBC footage: “I can not overview it and my legal professionals cannot overview it they usually cannot make an evaluation.”
“Fifty hours is loads of footage and loads of time spent in a room that was poisonous,” she added.
Abbington claimed that in the course of the early weeks of the present, the producers stated to her face they have been “shocked” and “horrified” and “so sorry” after they reviewed footage of the pair’s rehearsals.
She stated: “There’s proof on the market – what occurred in that [training] room and I am not the one who is obstructing it.”
Citing her allegations, she stated: “It is bullying and it is aggressive behaviour. There have been different issues that occurred that have been very upsetting, that you just handle within the room on the time, since you’re a girl, and you need to handle these issues… as a result of in any other case, what do you do?”
She was interviewed by fellow competitor on Strictly Come Dancing, Channel 4 Information presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy, who stated: “I heard from anyone else about an incident of humiliating behaviour of a sexual nature – is that proper?”
A tearful Abbington replied: “Yeah… one of many many issues.”
Pic: BBC/Ray Burmiston
Abbington withdrew from the competitors in week six citing “private causes” however gave no additional element till revealing she had made a criticism in regards to the present this month.
She additionally stated she has been underneath stress from “brutal, relentless and unforgiving” threats from followers of the Strictly Come Dancing programme.
She spoke about “rape threats in the direction of not solely myself, however my daughter and the threats of loss of life to my son”.
Requested if these got here from Strictly followers, she agreed and in addition alleged the behaviour got here from supporters of Pernice.
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Abbington stated she needs to encourage individuals who really feel “bullied” or are in a scenario they really feel is “poisonous and unsafe” to complain, regardless of the backlash she has allegedly acquired.
She stated: “I do know it occurred as a result of it occurred to me. I’m not a sensational particular person… I am not hysterical. I do not make issues out to be greater than they’re.
“I do know what occurred to me in that room wasn’t acceptable. I complained about it and type of haven’t been taken significantly.”
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Abbington claimed she is aware of of “three different ladies” who went via one thing comparable throughout their Strictly experiences and there’s “doubtlessly” extra folks coming ahead.
The actress, recognized for ITV drama Mr Selfridge, additionally clarified there are “5 – 6 (different complainants) from what I can collect, however there’s three principal folks, who’ve made complaints, mine’s the official one”.
She stated that after leaving the present she had “a number of messages… from a few of the producers” however then “did not actually hear from anyone once more”.
Learn extra:
Strictly star thought ‘lengthy and exhausting’ earlier than making criticism to BBC
‘The road ought to by no means be crossed,’ says BBC boss Tim Davie
Strictly Come Dancing choose on ‘shock’ of abuse allegations
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Requested if there was any aftercare supplied by the present, Abbington replied: “No, it might have been good, I suppose.”
Earlier this month, Italian skilled dancer Graziano Di Prima introduced he was leaving the present after claims about his remedy of actuality star and documentary presenter Zara McDermott – together with confirmed experiences he kicked her throughout a rehearsal.
The company has introduced a member of the manufacturing staff will now be current “always” throughout coaching room rehearsals on Strictly.
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Ex-Strictly star on BBC’s ‘chaperone plans’
A BBC assertion stated that “when points are raised with us we at all times take them extraordinarily significantly and have acceptable processes in place to handle this”.
A spokesperson for Pernice advised Channel 4 Information he’s cooperating with the investigation and “imagine it’s the proper discussion board for all of the proof to be reviewed”.
The spokesperson added: “As a part of the evidence-led overview, the BBC has shared the allegations they’ve been capable of substantiate with us. They don’t resemble Amanda’s newest allegations, given to Channel 4, in any form or type.
“Giovanni refutes any declare of threatening or abusive behaviour, and having supplied the BBC along with his proof, is assured that the overview will show this.”