Home Entertainment Giovanni Pernice says his ‘world collapsed’ when his friends abandoned him during Amanda Abbington bullying row

Giovanni Pernice says his ‘world collapsed’ when his friends abandoned him during Amanda Abbington bullying row

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An emotional Giovanni Pernice recalled how his 'world fell apart' when his friends abandoned him following Amanda Abbington's accusations.

An emotional Giovanni Pernice recalled how his “world fell apart” when his friends abandoned him following accusations made by Amanda Abbington.

Addressing an audience on Tuesday, the first night of his Last Dance tour, at the Swan Theater in High Wycombe, the former Strictly Professional spoke between dances and discussed the scandal.

Reflecting on the moment before the Sherlock actress, 50, made her explosive accusations, Giovanni, 34, said: “I like to think I was pretty successful.” I was selling myself everywhere.

“I was on a TV show with my best friend (Anton Du Beke) so I felt like I was at the top of my game.

‘I was untouchable, a superhero. I felt like I had my army…my audience. But fate had other plans for me.

In July last year, more than six months after Amanda Abbington quit the BBC show citing “personal reasons”, the actress accused Pernice of “unnecessary, cruel and mean-spirited behaviour” during their time dancing together on Strictly.

An emotional Giovanni Pernice recalled how his ‘world fell apart’ when his friends abandoned him following Amanda Abbington’s accusations.

The former Strictly Professional spoke between dances during the first night of his tour and opened up about the scandal when Amanada Abbington accused him of bullying.

The former Strictly Professional spoke between dances during the first night of his tour and opened up about the scandal when Amanada Abbington accused him of bullying.

Pernice immediately rejected the allegations and a BBC investigation ruled in September that her allegations of physical assault and threatening behavior were not substantiated.

But complaints of bullying and verbal harassment meant the BBC apologized, but Giovanni said he was “pleased that the report found no evidence of threatening or abusive behaviour”.

Now cleared by the investigation and a dancer on the Italian version of Strictly, Giovanni is touring the UK and said: “You probably know it hasn’t been the best year for me.” I can finally talk about it, it felt like the world was collapsing.

‘I didn’t have anyone around me. People who were supposed to be my friends disappeared.

‘I felt abandoned. Nobody wanted to see me. They didn’t want to be seen with me, because people were like, ‘Oh, you’re with him.’

The dancer went on to say that there was always a voice in his head telling him that one day he would be vindicated and the scandal would end.

Giovanni also gave credit to his ‘idol’, Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, saying: ‘He was like, ‘Giovanni, don’t worry.’ Whatever happens, remember, the show must go on.

But the real source of support for the Italian dancer was his best friend and Strictly judge Anton Du Beke, who continued to tour with Giovanni after Amanda’s allegations emerged – the pair will embark on their Together Again tour this year.

He said: 'I didn't have anyone around me. People who were supposed to be my friends disappeared. 'I felt abandoned. Nobody wanted to see me

He said: ‘I didn’t have anyone around me. People who were supposed to be my friends disappeared. ‘I felt abandoned. Nobody wanted to see me

Amanda accused Pernice of 'unnecessary, cruel and mean behaviour' during their time dancing together on Strictly.

Amanda accused Pernice of ‘unnecessary, cruel and mean behaviour’ during their time dancing together on Strictly.

The real source of support for the Italian dancer was his best friend and strict judge Anton Du Beke, who continued to tour with Giovanni after Amanda's accusations emerged.

The real source of support for the Italian dancer was his best friend and strict judge Anton Du Beke, who continued to tour with Giovanni after Amanda’s accusations emerged.

Giovanni continued: ‘I’m still standing and thank God I did that tour last year with my best friend who was the support of my life.’

Then, pointing to Anton, 58, who was in the audience watching, Giovanni asked the audience to give him a “big round of applause.”

Ending the show, the dancer said: ‘Remember that this is not the last tour, this is the last dance because I am going to return in the summer with my best friend on the best tour. I love you a lot.’

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