Amanda Abbington reportedly “called the police after receiving death threats from trolls” as the bullying controversy surrounding Giovanni Pernice continues.
The BBC launched an investigation after Giovanni, 33, was accused of “threatening and abusive behaviour” while working with famous Strictly Come Dancing contestants including Amanda, Ranvir Singh and Laura Whitmore.
The actress, 50, deleted her social media accounts last week, just hours after it was confirmed that the professional dancer would not be returning to the series amid alleged “misconduct” in the workplace.
Amanda had reportedly already been bombarded with “unspeakable and incredibly threatening” messages from Giovanni’s trolling fans.
A source said Sun: ‘She was worried about leaving the house to do simple errands like walking the dog or grocery shopping.
Amanda Abbington reportedly ‘called the police after receiving death threats from trolls’ as the bullying controversy surrounding Giovanni Pernice (pictured in 2023) continues.
The BBC launched an investigation after Giovanni, 33 (pictured this month), was accused of “threatening and abusive behaviour” while working with celebrity contestants on Strictly.
They continued: ‘At one point she was struggling to respond to hundreds of messages from Giovanni’s followers saying nasty things and threatening her safety.
‘It was horrible to deal with. The volume was horrendous and the content was unspeakable and incredibly threatening. The police have taken the messages seriously.’
MailOnline has contacted Amanda Abbington’s representative for comment.
Earlier this month, Amanda deleted her social media accounts after it was confirmed Giovanni would not be returning to Strictly Come Dancing.
On the same day, fans quickly realized that the actress had deleted her X and Instagram accounts, likely in an attempt to avoid public backlash.
The professional dancers appearing next season were announced on June 10, without Giovanni’s name amid an investigation into alleged “misconduct” in the workplace.
The BBC launched an investigation after the dancer was accused of “threatening and abusive behaviour” while working with celebrity contestants on the show.
A male celebrity reportedly joined the group of women complaining about Giovanni’s behavior.
It has also been claimed that a professional dancer needed three months of therapy after starring alongside Giovanni on the show.
The actress then deleted her social media accounts last week, just hours after it was confirmed that the dancer would not be returning to the series amid alleged workplace ‘misconduct’ (pictured together in October 2023).
Amanda had reportedly already been bombarded with “unspeakable and incredibly threatening” messages from Giovanni’s trolling fans.
Sun reported that the anonymous fellow dancer suffered “significant emotional distress” on the show, requiring professional help.
Three women, including actress Amanda, have hired £700-an-hour lawyers at top London law firm Carter Ruck to bring claims against Giovanni and the BBC.
The dancer hit back at rival law firm Schillings. Her case is being handled by Joelle Rich, 39, who represented Johnny Depp in his 2020 defamation trial.
It was previously reported that rehearsal tapes between Amanda and Giovanni will not be released to the actress after she demanded they prove her harassment allegations.
They told Amanda that they could not give her the tapes because a third person, Giovanni, appears in them, not just her.
Therefore, you have the right not to have private information or content about you disclosed without your authorization.
Amanda previously denied reports that Giovanni had asked the BBC to film his rehearsals with the actress due to growing concerns about her behaviour, claiming she had requested her dance practice to be filmed, not him.
She told The Daily Mail: “I asked for them to be recorded, it was me. Giovanni is unpleasant. “He was terrible to some of us, a group of us.
Amanda went on to describe how her life had been devastated by the experience, which has spiraled since she abruptly left the show midway through the last series.
In January, he claimed he had suffered post-traumatic stress disorder after working with Giovanni and later complained of suffering a bruise on his foot during training.
“You don’t understand how horrible this all is,” he said. ‘Giovanni’s fans have started trolling me now. “I had to leave social media and I received death threats.”
The actress also insisted that she had complained about Giovanni’s behavior shortly after the series began. “I went to the producers early on and told them about Giovanni,” she said.
And he lamented the consequences: ‘All this because I didn’t enjoy a television program. “I didn’t enjoy it because of all this.”
Amanda has led the charge by accusing him of “difficult behaviour” during training and is currently speaking to the BBC to discuss possible workplace misconduct.
Despite the furore, head judge Shirley Ballas has supported the under-fire pro and will join him in hosting a series of dance classes in London next month.
Called Ballando, the one-day event is led by Shirley, Giovanni and Anton Du Beke as they share their experience with fans.
Details about how Giovanni allegedly behaved have not yet been released. But the BBC published an unprecedented statement about the dispute.
A Strictly spokesperson said: “If a complaint is made to the BBC, we assess and take the necessary steps to establish the facts, whether there is a case to answer and, if appropriate, what action should be taken.”
‘This is all within the context that the BBC has a duty of care to all people linked to a complaint, that applies to those who have made the complaint and those about whom it has been complained.
“While we know that our shows have been positive experiences for many who have participated, we will always consider any issues raised with care, fairness and sensitivity to all concerned.”
Sources familiar with the situation say the BBC was pressured by Amanda’s team to say publicly that it was she who asked for the rehearsals to be recorded.
It was reported that rehearsal tapes between Amanda and Giovanni will not be given to the actress after she demanded they prove her bullying claims.
A source said: “It’s terrible, really. Amanda wanted the BBC to set the record straight and confirm her version of events.
But of course they can’t. He simply shows that if she doesn’t like what is being said, she shouts it out loud.’
Giovanni’s absence from the line-up was revealed when the BBC shared the names of the professionals who will appear this year.
This season will see the return of Amy Dowden, who was treated for breast cancer last year, alongside Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Graziano Di Prima, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Márquez and Luba Mushtuk.
They are joined on the dance floor by Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas and Vito Coppola.