Strictly Come Dancing has been hit by a new wave of allegations surrounding professional dancer Giovanni Pernice, who is already under fire.
The BBC launched an investigation after the dancer, 33, was accused of “threatening and abusive behaviour” while working with celebrity contestants on the show including Amanda Abbington, Ranvir Singh and Laura Whitmore.
While before this week a A male celebrity reportedly joined the group of women complaining about Giovanni’s behavior.
And now it has been claimed that a professional dancer needed three months of therapy after starring on the show alongside Giovanni.
Sun has reported that the unnamed fellow dancer suffered “significant emotional distress” on the show, requiring professional help.
Strictly Come Dancing has been hit by a new wave of allegations surrounding professional dancer Giovanni Pernice (pictured last year).
The BBC launched an investigation after the dancer, 33, was accused of “threatening and abusive behaviour” while working with celebrity contestants on the show including Amanda Abbington, Ranvir Singh and Laura Whitmore.
A source told the publication: ‘One of the dancers on the show found it so traumatizing that he sought professional help. The show is unlike anything on television. The pressure on those participating is enormous and should not be underestimated.
“But Giovanni’s demanding behavior behind the scenes took things to a higher level and caused significant emotional distress.
“They were so upset by what happened that they needed counseling to recover from the toll it cost them.”
MailOnline has contacted Giovanni’s representatives and Strictly Come Dancing for comment.
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.
And in the latest twist to the bitter legal battle, an unnamed male star, who worked with Giovanni during his time on the show, is said to have shared his experiences with the law firm.
‘After three women came forward, now a man has joined their ranks. “He has personally reached out to the women who are at the center of this unfolding crisis, offering them his full support and backing,” a source said. Sun.
‘He was also in contact with Carter Ruck and told them what he knows and shared his experiences. These experiences were, at times, very complicated.’
And now it is claimed that a professional dancer needed three months of therapy after starring on the show alongside Giovanni.
Three women, including actress Amanda (pictured), have hired £700-an-hour lawyers at top London law firm Carter Ruck to bring claims against Giovanni and the BBC.
Giovanni launched a counterattack by hiring rival law firm Schillings. His case is being handled by Joelle Rich, 39, who represented Johnny Depp in his 2020 defamation trial.
A spokesperson for Giovanni told the publication: “Schillings is working with BBC Studios to provide evidence from Giovanni to firmly refute the claims being made about him and confirm that Giovanni is cooperating fully.”
“As with any reality television show, when decisions are made for entertainment purposes, producers have a duty of care to all participants.”
This weekend it was reported that rehearsal tapes between Amanda and Giovanni will not be released to the actress after she demanded they prove her harassment claims.
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.
A source said Sun: ‘The question arises: “What does he have to hide?” It doesn’t look good.’
The source continued: “The BBC will have reviewed the footage and considered whether it was possible to redact the content showing it.
This weekend it was reported that rehearsal tapes between Amanda and Giovanni will not be released to the actress after she demanded they prove her bullying claims.
Earlier this week, it was reported that a male celebrity joined the group of women complaining about Giovanni’s behavior (pictured: former dance partner Ranvir Singh).
‘Having spoken to him, they have decided to retain him completely at his request. The irony is that Giovanni’s team gave the impression that it was her idea to have cameras monitor the rehearsals, even though Amanda’s friends have insisted it was her.
Amanda quit the competition midway through the series, citing personal reasons after weeks of rumors about a feud with Giovanni.
The Sherlock star said he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and demanded to see footage of rehearsals.
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.”
In January, Amanda claimed she had suffered post-traumatic stress disorder after working with Giovanni and later complained of suffering a bruise on her foot while training.
The actress also insisted that she had complained about Giovanni’s behavior shortly after the series began. “I went to the producers from the beginning 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.
The Sicilian dancer is accused of “threatening and abusive behavior” while working with celebrity contestants on the show (pictured with Laura Whitmore in 2016)
“While we know that our shows have been positive experiences for many who have participated, we will always approach 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.
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.’
Despite the furore, head judge Shirley Ballas has backed the under-fire pro and will join him in hosting a series of dance classes in London next month alongside Anton Du Beke.
