Giovanni Pernice reportedly tried to call out Amanda Abbington during the BBC’s investigation into allegations of off-camera misconduct towards her on Strictly Come Dancing.
The actress, 50, was paired with Italian ballroom dance specialist Giovanni, 33, for the 21st series of the long-running BBC show in 2023, but abruptly pulled out just five weeks into the competition.
Giovanni has since been suspended pending a BBC investigation into allegations of off-camera misconduct made by Abbington, 50, and two other former celebrity dance partners.
According The sunGiovanni called Amanda just weeks after it became known that the investigative team was trying to find the footage of her rehearsals.
A source said: ‘Giovanni tried to call Amanda a few weeks ago. No one knows why.
Giovanni Pernice reportedly tried to call out Amanda Abbington during the BBC’s investigation into allegations of off-camera misconduct towards her on Strictly Come Dancing
The actress, 50, was paired with Italian ballroom dance specialist Giovanni, 33, for the 21st series of the long-running BBC show in 2023, but abruptly pulled out just five weeks into the competition.
‘They haven’t spoken since she left the show, so for him to call her out of the blue, especially while an investigation is underway, is very strange.
Amanda didn’t want to talk to him and blocked his number. She doesn’t want to know anything about Giovanni.
The source added that Amanda told her team that Giovanni tried to contact her and they passed this on to the BBC executives in charge of the investigation.
Noting that Giovanni has not attempted to contact her since, the source said Strictly producers just want to put the scandal behind them.
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Giovanni Pernice and Amanda Abbington for comment.
Amanda previously said she would ‘cry and throw up’ after returning home from rehearsals with Giovanni.
Talking with The timesAbbington says he has since received death threats from fans of the Italian dancer, whose long-term future on Strictly remains uncertain.
She said: ‘I’ve had the worst experience. The show was tough and horrible, but I didn’t expect the consequences. It’s been really brutal and it hasn’t stopped.
A source said Giovanni called Amanda just weeks after it became known that the investigative team was trying to find the footage of her rehearsals.
The source said: “They haven’t spoken since she left the show, so for him to call out of the blue, especially while an investigation is underway, is very strange.”
“It’s been horrible, relentless. I’ve been threatened with death and rape for simply standing up for something I thought was wrong.”
The actress also admitted she felt nauseous after completing rehearsals with Pernice, a fan favourite who had appeared on Strictly for eight years before his suspension.
Amanda’s husband, Jonathan Goodwin, a former escape artist who was left paralysed in 2021 after a TV stunt went horribly wrong, also corroborated her claim of physical illness.
She added: “He would say, ‘Yeah, you’d come home and throw up, cry and think you weren’t good enough. You were a shadow, a shell.'”
The investigation that began with allegations against Giovanni has expanded following more complaints surrounding the hit show.
This has caused even more uproar for Strictly, which is considered the jewel in the corporation’s crown and is still watched by more than ten million people.
Sources told the Mail that the allegations prompted bosses to widen the investigation to look into other matters and individuals involved with the dance series as it prepares for its 20th anniversary.
This means Giovanni, who has already made his frustrations about the investigation clear, faces an even longer wait for an outcome after three former dance partners, including Amanada, ordered their lawyers to file “serious complaints” about his conduct.
It also threatens to damage Strictly, the BBC’s biggest Saturday night hit since The Generation Game.
A TV source told the Mail: ‘This investigation is no longer just about Giovanni, but concerns wider issues as well. The show has been running for 20 years and the whole look of Strictly is so glossy and charming that of course there will always be people who feel wronged.
The source added that Amanda told her team that Giovanni tried to contact her and they passed it on to the BBC executives in charge of the investigation.
‘Amanda’s complaints have started something massive, they have opened the door for others to come forward and express things they are not happy with.
‘It’s a huge headache for the BBC, which is about to celebrate a major milestone: its 20th anniversary.
‘The complaint against Giovanni has already been a big enough problem, but now it seems there is more to examine and analyze.’
Sources close to Giovanni say he fully expects to be exonerated.
Experts also say the expanded investigation will now portray the Sicilian star as possibly a “minor fish” in Strictly’s potential downfall.
He quit the show after Sherlock and Mr Selfridge star Amanada claimed he bullied her during training, claims he denies.
In May it was revealed that she had hired London law firm Carter Ruck to represent her against the BBC.
The BBC declined to comment on the matter but confirmed in a statement that more than one complaint had been made.
Fellow dancer Graziano Di Prima was fired from the show following similar allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards TV personality Zara McDermott, with whom he was paired in 2023.
Confirming his departure on Instagram, Graziano wrote: “I deeply regret the events that led to my departure from Strictly. My intense passion and determination to win may have affected my training regime.
‘While I respect the BBC’s HR process, I recognise that for the sake of the programme it is right that I step away. I am saddened that I have not been allowed to give a quote to Online News and appreciate the sensitivity of the situation.
“There is more to this story that I cannot comment on at this time, but I am committed to staying strong for my family and friends. I wish the Strictly family every success in the future.”
