Amanda Abbington has admitted she is afraid to use public transport after her bullying allegations against fellow Strictly star Giovanni Pernice were made public.
The Sherlock actress, who left the BBC dancing show unexpectedly last October, has confessed she feels “exposed and vulnerable” when on public transport due to online threats against her from Strictly fans.
Talking about Woman’s Hour on BBC Radio 4She explained: ‘When I’m on the train and stuff, I sometimes feel exposed and vulnerable, I do, because of the nature of the threats I was receiving.
“You feel like public enemy number one for saying, ‘I’m not entirely happy with this.'”
The BBC show has been embroiled in high drama since Giovanni was suspended after his celebrity partner Amanda accused him of abusive behaviour, saying he was “cruel and mean”. He denies the allegations.
Amanda Abbington has admitted she fears using public transport because she feels “exposed and vulnerable” following Strictly bullying allegations
The BBC show has been embroiled in high drama since Giovanni was suspended after his celebrity partner Amanda accused him of abusive behaviour, saying he was “cruel and mean”. He denies the allegations.
She also told Woman’s Hour that other people have approached her and said her comments have encouraged them to speak out in the workplace.
She added: ‘I recognise the warning signs and I recognise bad behaviour, because it has happened to me in the past and it has come up more and more frequently.
“I decided to talk to the producers and say, ‘Look, I’m not comfortable. This is starting to get a little out of hand. It’s a pattern that keeps repeating itself: it starts off well and then it starts to turn into chaos.'”
Amanda first spoke about the allegations in an ITV interview on Lorraine and in a Channel 4 interview with fellow Strictly contestant Krishnan Guru-Murthy last week.
In an interview with Christine Lampard about Lorraine, she revealed how the problems started from the beginning: “First week, third day. On the third day I was texting the producer saying, ‘This is horrible, she hates me, I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. I’m doing the best I can, I promise you.’ That was the first week.”
Asked if there were further discussions at that stage, he said: “Lots and lots.”
Amanda added: ‘It was inappropriate, it was cruel, it was nasty, it was bullying and I tolerated it for five, six weeks.
‘It all started very early and when it started happening, I shut down because I recognized those warning signs.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, she explained: “When I’m on the train and stuff, I sometimes feel exposed and vulnerable, I do, because of the nature of the threats I was receiving.”
She added: “I recognise the warning signs and I recognise bad behaviour, because it has happened to me in the past and it has come up more and more frequently.”
“And then it would close and it would be hard to get in, and that would be a self-fulfilling prophecy.”
Speaking about her schedule on the show, she said: “I went into the rehearsal room every day. I’ve been in rehearsal rooms for 32 years.”
Amanda explained that she was currently working in a rehearsal room ahead of her upcoming play ‘When it Happens to You’, which opens at London’s Park Theatre on July 31.
She described the rehearsal rooms as “one of the most beautiful and safe spaces,” adding: “I know what rehearsal rooms are supposed to be like in life.”
‘I don’t care what background you’re from, whether it’s dancing, acting or singing, you have a duty to bring compassion, understanding, sensitivity and kindness to that rehearsal room.
“And that hasn’t been extended to me (Strictly). So I just said I don’t think this is right.”
Amanda made her debut in her new play When It Happens To You at London’s Park Theatre on Wednesday night.
She reportedly broke down in tears during her performance in her first acting role since dramatically leaving Strictly.
Amanda made her debut in her new play When It Happens To You at London’s Park Theatre on Wednesday night.
After the show, she donned a black T-shirt with the words ‘Quiet No More’ written on the back as she posed for photos alongside the play’s director Jez Bond, seemingly a reference to the ongoing scandal.
After the show, she donned a black T-shirt with the phrase ‘Quiet No More’ written on the back as she posed for photos alongside the play’s director Jez Bond, seemingly a reference to the ongoing scandal.
According MirrorAmanda received a standing ovation from the audience that moved her to tears.
An audience member told the publication: ‘We all know Amanda is an amazing actress, but tonight was almost a religious experience.
“Watching her perform live, knowing everything she’s carrying on her shoulders right now and everything that’s been weighing her down, it’s amazing how she managed to keep her emotions in check in such a moving piece.”
Amanda leads the cast of the thriller and takes on the role of Tara in the true story about a mother trying to keep her family together after a devastating event changes the course of their lives.
