The results of the bullying probe into Giovanni Pernice’s time on Strictly are set to be revealed – which BBC bosses pray will bring ‘closure’ to the crisis
Giovanni Pernice is facing D-Day for his career this coming week as the results of the bullying probe are expected – which the BBC hopes will “draw a line” under the affair.
Insiders claim the report’s release would allow them to start announcing the names for the 20th anniversary line-up from next Monday (August 5).
A source said: “We hope matters will be resolved soon so everyone can move on and focus on the new names for the show, rather than its ongoing controversy.”
The BBC director general Tim Davie apologised earlier in the week to celebrities who have had an experience that “hasn’t been wholly positive”.
And it’s widely expected that the results of the investigation are to be revealed this week “in order to draw a line under the affair once and for all.”
A source added: “The BBC hope that this report will bring the closure the show desperately needs although truth to be told that is quite an optimistic outlook and the reality could be very different.” Giovanni’s camp is confident that he will be cleared. The review was sparked after Amanda Abbington issued a formal complaint.
He has been buoyed by the support of production staff as well as former dance partners including Debbie McGee who have spoken to investigators to say that they have not witnessed any bullying.
However Laura Whitmore, who previously danced with Gio, has accused him of inappropriate behaviour, and “provided evidence” to support the investigation to the BBC. The Mirror told on Saturday how Gio’s camp were encouraged by the fact that her evidence was not part of the dossier of claims compiled by BBC investigators and put to him for comment.
Instead it was just Amanda’s claims laid before him. Whitmore claims this was because she hadn’t made an “official complaint” and that this information wouldn’t necessarily be shared with him. Meanwhile, Holby City star Laila Rouass has defended her former partner Anton Du Beke.
The Mirror recently revealed how Anton – who is now a judge on the BBC show – was dragged into the crisis due to him having once called her a “P***” after a spray tan. She said: “Unfortunately, my time on the show was scarred by a handful of incidents, some of which were discussed in the press at the time.
“I would like to address those incidents; Yes, Anton used derogatory words and it was unacceptable. Yes, Anton publicly apologised to me. Above all this, and most importantly, I do not believe Anton is racist or Islamaphobic. If I believed he was, I would have refused to dance with him.
“I wish to make clear, apart from the situation mentioned above, which was dealt with, at absolutely no point was I physically, emotionally, sexually or verbally abused by Anton. At no point did Anton use manipulation or cruelty towards me during rehearsals. At no point did I feel vulnerable in Anton’s presence. Anton was generous, patient and hardworking.”
Du Beke denied he was racist at the time. They departed in the quarter-final and Rouass called it “a dream” to dance with Du Beke in 2009.
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Source: New York Post
