When Amanda Abbington appeared on Newsnight last week, she said her former Strictly partner Giovanni Pernice insulted her.
In fact, he said his time on the BBC show was a “non-stop litany of verbal abuse” from the Italian star.
But the Mail can now reveal that Ms Abbington called Pernice a series of bad words, and even the BBC investigation considered she was the one who started the foul language.
Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice in last year’s Strictly series
Ms Abbington previously spoke out about what she claims was her ordeal on last year’s Strictly show.
It was also ruled that the Sherlock actress, 52, was the only one of the pair to use the ‘c-word’ in the hours of rehearsal material seen by investigators at the inquest.
Corporation sources can reveal that, during their written exchanges on WhatsApp, Ms Abbington referred to the Sicilian dancer as “idiot head”, “idiot face” and “t**t”, despite her complaints . who abused her.
A source close to Pernice said: “Amanda has continued to come out and say how mean Giovanni has been to her, but she was saying things like this to him.”
“She used a lot of bad language, but she went on TV to say how terrible things were for her and how she had to come home and process all of Giovanni’s bad words.
‘It’s very, very nice that Amanda said this, now we know the truth. It is notable that he chose not to share this part of the report while appearing on television and giving interviews to smear Giovanni.
The review also found that, according to evidence seen by the BBC panel, the use of derogatory terms and insults was common between the couple.
He added that they used “very crude language” and, in relation to the “use of crude and sexualized language”, both received constructive feedback to consider their “use of language and humour”.
Far from simply warning Pernice, 34, about his conduct, he also said the evidence showed “regular cursing, dark humor and banter of a sexualized nature” by both parties.
In fact, he even went so far as to say that both made the witnesses feel “uncomfortable.”
It can also be revealed that the review panel rejected her claim that she managed Pernice’s behavior by “adopting a similar tone and language” to that used by him. The researchers ruled that the evidence does not support this and, as a result, refused to accept it.
Pernice, 34, said he was “pleased” following the end of the investigation, which ruled in his favor on all but six of the 17 allegations made by Ms Abbington, 50.
The Sherlock actress complained about her treatment on the 2023 show
“Both Amanda and Giovanni used language freely,” said a BBC source. ‘Amanda did it too and she didn’t need Gio to ask her at all.
‘Amanda has done two interviews in which she has talked about how hard she went through with Giovanni and how horrible he was with her. Because of this investigation, Gio no longer appears on UK television, he is now in Italy and it really didn’t have to be that way.’
Last Wednesday, Ms Abbington told Newsnight presenter Victoria Derbyshire that Pernice used sexual innuendos and gestures during the time she worked with him. However, he did not mention his own swearing or name-calling habits.
She said: ‘There was a 35-minute rant in which he put his hands in the air and swore at me and said he couldn’t take it anymore. When I did a dance move right, he would outline his erection in his pants and tell me that my dance move made it happen, because I did it right. The other sexual accusation was verbal. These are not isolated incidents.
Describing the last 12 months as “one of the worst years of my life”, she added that “many” women have thanked her for coming forward.
While the BBC report confirmed the allegation that Pernice gestured towards his groin when Ms Abbington did something right and said words such as “look what you made me do”, it found there was insufficient evidence to determine that I had an erection. At the moment.
Ms Abbington spoke more about her torment last weekend, telling The Sun on Sunday that she had quit the show after finding lumps on her breast. But he claimed having a cancer scare was a “healthier option” than being in the training room with his competition partner.
She said: ‘In my last week, on Thursday morning, I was in the shower and found two lumps. I got the all clear after a mammogram a couple months prior.
She revealed she told Pernice she was going to hospital, adding: “It was the catalyst I had been waiting for, which is terrible.” But that’s what I was thinking, that it was a healthier option than being in that room (the training room).’
The lumps were later found to be benign.
During that interview, his own use of foul language was also not mentioned.
Last week, the BBC confirmed six of the 17 complaints made by Ms Abbington about Pernice. As a result, the Corporation apologized and thanked him for coming forward to complain.
The review found that Pernice had used “disparaging” language towards her.
The six-month-long investigation, which cost the license fee more than £250,000, also found that on another occasion he said: “I’m tired of this, if you want to look like shit I don’t care.” ‘
The panel also upheld Ms Abbington’s complaint that Pernice would become frustrated with her while teaching her to dance. These included comments like, “You have so much talent and you’re not using it.”
On another occasion he told him: ‘I don’t know how to ask you anymore.’ Another comment, when he said “it’s been four days and I don’t know what to do,” was also considered unlawful behavior.
In another outburst, Pernice said ‘fuck’ as she raised her arms in the air as she showed him how to do a routine.
The allegation that the Italian salon star had given negative feedback was also upheld, with Pernice being told he did not sufficiently accommodate Ms Abbington’s needs.
Of the two complaints of a sexual nature that were considered, one saw Mr. Pernice grab his crotch and utter an obscene comment.
He also told his dance partner he “wanted to fuck her” after Ms Abbington made a move in the training studio.
Pernice now appears on the Italian version of Strictly, Ballando Con Le Stelle, where she topped the ratings on Saturday with her famous partner, actress Bianca Guaccero.
As the row threatens to continue, a friend of Pernice’s mused: “What Strictly loses is Italy’s gain.”