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Laura Whitmore has today confirmed that she has spoken to the BBC about Giovanni Pernice’s “inappropriate” behaviour on Strictly Come Dancing.
The TV presenter, 39, who was paired with the Italian dancer, 33, on the show in 2016, said she initially raised her concerns with the BBC six years ago.
Although she has not filed a formal complaint, Laura hopes to obtain “a simple acceptance” of what happened to her in the rehearsal room.
Laura admitted she had spoken to six former Strictly stars about their time on the show and took their information to the BBC.
In an Instagram post, Laura wrote: ‘I was trying not to comment on the recent press speculation until the BBC review is complete, but I feel there is a lot of misinformation in the press and I want to help and show support by setting the record straight.
Laura Whitmore, 39, confirmed today that she spoke to the BBC about Giovanni Pernice’s, 33, “inappropriate” behaviour on Strictly Come Dancing.
The TV presenter, who partnered the Italian dancer on the show in 2016, said she initially raised her concerns with the BBC six years ago.
‘I was asked to speak to the BBC along with six people I know (who deserve anonymity because they do not want to appear in the press) about inappropriate behaviour they experienced similar to mine with the same individual.
‘I initially expressed my concern in 2016. I thought my experience was specific to me, but then I realized I was wrong.
“The point of this is to show a pattern of behaviour that I believe needs to be stopped. My evidence is to support other people’s experience. It’s a shame that it takes this for someone to be heard.
‘I’m not looking for anything, just acceptance that what happened to me in the rehearsal rooms during my time on BBC Strictly was wrong and it won’t happen to anyone else again.
‘As I have not filed an official complaint and am providing evidence from my experience to support the investigation, not all communication will be passed on to all parties involved.
‘Misinformation is being spread in the press, so I want to set the record straight. We need to stop blaming the victims or we will never improve.
“I’ve tried to speak out in the right way. I know the BBC and all the media are still doing everything they can to improve, but for that to happen we need to speak out.”
Amanda Abbington, Giovanni’s last celebrity partner, quit Strictly last year for “personal reasons” before reports emerged that she had demanded footage of their rehearsals after the experience on the competition left her with PTSD.
Although she has not filed a formal complaint, Laura hopes to obtain “a simple acceptance” of what happened to her in the rehearsal room.
Laura admitted she had spoken to six former Strictly stars about their time on the show and took their information to the BBC.
Amanda Abbington (pictured), Giovanni’s latest celebrity partner, quit Strictly last year due to “personal reasons” before reports emerged that she had demanded footage of their rehearsals after the experience on the competition left her with PTSD.
Sources then claimed that Amanda, Ranvir Singh and Laura had an “emotional summit” where they “compared notes” about their time working with Giovanni on the show, leading the BBC to launch an investigation into his conduct.
Sources later claimed Amanda, Ranvir Singh and Laura had an “emotional summit” where they “compared notes” about their time working with Giovanni on the show, prompting the BBC to launch an investigation into his conduct.
This comes just days after Strictly was plunged into further crisis on Wednesday after Amanda claimed Giovanni was trying to block the publication of up to 50 hours of “toxic” material.
In an emotional interview, the actress compared the dance show to ‘the trenches’ and said: Channel 4 The news that BBC producers were “appalled” by clips which allegedly also showed “humiliating behaviour of a sexual nature”.
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