And Laura Whitmore has accused the BBC of ‘gaslighting’ her over her 2016 Strictly Come Dancing experience with Gio

COPS are investigating a death threat made to Strictly star Amanda Abbington at a theatre.

The actress, 50, was sent an email warning her she would  “die on stage” unless she withdraws her bullying complaint against her former dance partner Giovanni Pernice.

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Police are investigating a death threat made to Strictly star Amanda AbbingtonCredit: BBC

Amanda signing autographs at Park Theatre, where cops also attendedCredit: Chris Eades
Police attended Park Theatre, in North London, where Amanda is performing new play When It Happens To You.

The death threat was sent via email on Friday, and bosses at the venue in Finsbury Park immediately reported it to police.

Officers interviewed the ex-Sherlock actress on Friday afternoon and retrieved IP data linked to the email in a bid to identify who sent it.

A source told the Sun on Sunday: “Amanda was left absolutely terrified, shaken and very disturbed by the incident.

“She was hoping that, after deleting her social media, the death, rape and attack threats would subside, but this was a shock and felt very real.

“It’s been horrendous, especially as she is performing in a small intimate venue where the audience are within touching distance of those performing. That’s why the theatre is taking this threat incredibly seriously and decided to involve the police.

“Amanda is a consummate professional and has remained focused on the play, taking to the stage over the weekend, but is grateful that they have acted so swiftly.”

Detectives returned to the theatre yesterday to speak to the actress.

And security at the venue has now been stepped up.

It comes after we previously revealed that Amanda contacted police after being inundated with death threats online in June.

BBC bosses had been expected to reveal the outcome of their findings of the complaint Amanda made about her experiences on Strictly last week.

But the Sun on Sunday can reveal BBC execs have decided to postpone any release after new evidence was submitted to them.

This is believed to include fresh evidence relating to Amanda’s time on the show and how her complaint was handled.

The BBC is also facing questions as to why hours of rehearsal room footage have been deleted.

A source added: “This throws up a number of questions, not least who deleted it and why.”

Sources also say the corporation is “very sensitive” to the fallout over the Huw Edwards scandal.

A source said: “Whatever decision comes out of this scandal it is going to be a public relations disaster for the BBC. If they clear Giovanni they will face claims the inquiry was a whitewash. If they come out and back Amanda, then more questions will emerge as to why action wasn’t taken sooner.”

Yesterday Laura Whitmore, 39, accused the BBC of “gaslighting” her over her 2016 Strictly Come Dancing experience with Giovanni Pernice.

The presenter revealed last weekend that she has contributed to the investigation and in a new interview has added: “It’s a shame that it has to come out in such a victim-shaming way, which it always does. And being the first person to speak up about anything is always hard.”

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Amanda pictured in a Women’s Aid t-shirt outside the theatreCredit: Chris Eades

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Amanda has accused Strictly pro Giovanni Pernice of bullying her during her time on the showCredit: BBC

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Source: Los Angeles Times (edited)