Strictly Come Dancing star Giovanni Pernice appears to respond to Amanda Abbington’s claims at the weekend by calling her a ‘mad woman’ as him and Anton Du Beke appear on stage together on Sunday
Giovanni Pernice has appeared to make a brutal dig at Amanda Abbington on stage on tour.
The under-fire dancer was appearing at The Lowry, in Salford, on the same day that the actress had made a series of accusations about him.
He told the audience on Sunday night to loud cheers: “Oh, I will be back, don’t you worry,” before adding: “Let’s see what this mad woman has got to say next.” He did not name anyone.
Pernice was on stage with Strictly judge Anton Du Beke on their Anton and Giovanni Together Live Tour, reports the BBC.
Abbington claimed that same day how Giovanni was “abusive, cruel and mean”. The Sherlock actress, 50, had initially complained to the BBC that she endured five weeks of inappropriate behaviour on the last series, before pulling out and being diagnosed with PTSD. “I found Giovanni’s behaviour unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean. I couldn’t sit back and let him do that to other people,” she said.
She added: “I know the BBC knew about Giovanni’s behaviour for years, people had complained about him and flagged his behaviour to producers in the past and nothing was done. It wasn’t an isolated experience with me. I should never ever have danced with him. I know what is on those tapes and I am not frightened of those tapes being seen. It goes way beyond treading on my toe. I know what happened and the fact he is blocking the tapes says a lot.”
But the Mirror reported yesterday how Giovanni has told pals he expects to be cleared by the BBC of abusive behaviour after meeting with Corporation bosses to see their dossier of evidence. The dancer had a meeting with the BBC last week where he saw for the first time the results of their investigation which was compiled after months of speaking to witnesses. Intriguingly, the allegations made by Amanda Abbington at the weekend were not included in the dossier.
Insiders claimed this was because the BBC had done their own checks and decided they didn’t need to be put to Giovanni for him to respond to. A source said: “This would suggest her more serious claims are without merit – and is a massive boost to Giovanni’s case. They have clearly done their own due diligence on some of her allegations and decided they didn’t warrant inclusion in what was needed to be shared with Giovanni for response.”
The Sun on Sunday said that the BBC inquiry was told that an executive had said at a meeting that Giovanni’s behaviour towards Amanda was “unacceptable and shocking”. A Strictly source reportedly added that Giovanni made a crude sexual remark to Amanda.
But a spokesperson for Giovanni said: “The BBC has shared allegations from the inquiry with Giovanni, who has cooperated fully. None of the allegations carried in the Sun on Sunday are included in any shape or form. Giovanni refutes these allegations and denies any accusations of abusive or threatening behaviour. He has provided substantive evidence to the investigation, and he remains fully confident of clearing his name.”
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Source: New York Post
