LAURA Whitmore yesterday made the bombshell revelation that she complained to the BBC eight years ago about Strictly pro Giovanni Pernice’s “inappropriate” behaviour.
In a new twist to the bullying storm, the ex-Love Island host said she and six other people had spoken to BBC investigators probing Amanda Abbington’s complaint.
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Laura Whitmore has confirmed she has spoken to the BBC
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The star was surprised to learn her experience wasn’t isolatedCredit: Getty
It is the first time anyone apart from Amanda has publicly spoken out over Giovanni, even though Laura did not name him.
Laura, who danced with Giovanni in 2016, said after hearing Amanda’s story that she realised her own experience showed there was “a pattern of behaviour”.
In an Instagram post, the presenter made it clear she felt compelled to speak out in support of Sherlock actress Amanda over the “victim blaming”.
She said her ordeal was “wrong” and she hopes it “won’t happen to anyone else again”.
Her damning statement will increase pressure on the BBC to not wrap up their inquiry next week — which they are planning to do ahead of the new series starting in September.
Laura, 39, said: “I was trying not to comment on recent press speculation until the BBC review is complete, but feel there is a lot of misinformation in the press and I want to help and show support by setting the record straight.
“I was asked to speak to the BBC along with six people that I know of, about inappropriate behaviour they experienced similar to mine with the same individual. I initially raised concerns back in 2016.
Amanda’s experience
“I thought my experience was specific to me but I’ve since learned I was wrong. The aim of this is to show a pattern of behaviour I believe needs to stop. My evidence is to support other people’s experience. It’s a shame it takes this for someone to be heard.
“I am not looking for anything, just an acceptance that what happened to me in the rehearsal rooms during my time on Strictly was wrong and that it won’t happen to anyone else again.
“Because I have not made an official complaint, and am providing evidence of my experience to support the investigation, not all the communication will be passed on to all parties involved.
“Victim blaming must stop or we’ll never get better.”
A source close to mum-of-one Laura, who is married to Love Island narrator and comedian Iain Stirling, said: “Laura is a hard-working, professional TV veteran and wouldn’t have complained unless something was really wrong.
“She can take comments about her appearance like water off a duck’s back, but some of the lewd jibes Giovanni made went too far.
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Amanda was the first to speak out about what happened on the show
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Laura has said she was left in tears while training with GiovanniCredit: BBC
Laura Whitmore’s Strictly statement in full
I was trying not to comment on recent press speculation until the BBC review is complete but feel there is a lot of misinformation in the press and I want to help and show support by setting the record straight.
I was asked to speak to the BBC along with six people that I know of (who deserve anonymity as they don’t want to be dragged through the press), about inappropriate behaviour they experienced similar to mine with the same individual. I initially raised concerns back in 2016.
I thought my experience was specific to me but I’ve since learned 1 was wrong. The aim of this is to show a pattern of behaviour that I believe needs to stop.
My evidence is to support other people’s experience. It’s a shame it takes this for someone to be heard. I am not looking for anything just an acceptance that what happened to me in the rehearsal rooms during my time on BBC Strictly was wrong and that it won’t happen to anyone else again,
Because I have not made an official complaint, and am providing evidence of my experience to support the investigation, not all the communication will be passed on to all parties involved.
Misinformation is being put into the press so I want to set the record straight. Victim blaming must stop or we will never get better. I’ve tried to speak up in the correct way. I know the BBC and all outlets continue to do their best to be better, but for that to happen we must speak up.
Laura’s tears
“She also has photographic evidence of training injuries, which show her bruised black and blue. She has been inundated with messages of support from friends and only put her head above the parapet because she knows that what went on was wrong and doesn’t want it to happen to anyone else.
“She has work projects with the BBC, but feels she needs to say this publicly as she wants to stop the victim shaming and the sexist tropes that are being bandied about by some media outlets.”
Laura has previously said she was “placed with a dance partner I was extremely uncomfortable with and in the end I felt broken, I cried every day”.
Meanwhile, The Sun on Sunday can reveal the BBC has deleted hours of footage showing what happened in the rehearsal room between Amanda, 50, and 33-year-old Giovanni.
A source close to the probe said: “It is astonishing, it means the investigation is flawed.
“Without it, Amanda knew there was little chance she would be believed. So to now be told hours of footage have been deleted has left her shocked.
“Why was it deleted? Who decided to delete it? And does the BBC have something to hide?”
Earlier this month, The Sun on Sunday revealed how Sicilian pro dancer Graziano Di Prima, 30, was sacked for kicking celeb partner Zara McDermott, 27.
Last week, BBC Director- General Tim Davie apologised.
He said: “I’m sorry that anyone has had an experience on Strictly that hasn’t been wholly positive.”
On the question of the deleted footage, a BBC spokesman said: “Anyone involved in a complaint has a right to confidentiality and fair process and therefore it would be inappropriate to comment further on individuals.”
The BBC did not comment on Laura Whitmore’s statement. Giovanni denies all wrongdoing.
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Source: USA Today
