Giovanni Pernice asked BBC executives to film all of his training and rehearsals with his Strictly Come Dancing partner Amanda Abbington after he became concerned about her “unstable behaviour”.
The Mail on Sunday can reveal the criticized professional dancer approached his bosses in the second week of the series after Ms Abbington’s behavior left him “concerned”.
All images were reviewed daily by Strictly bosses, who did not consider any actions inappropriate.
The revelation comes days after Pernice, 33, launched her fight against claims made by Abbington, 52, and two other Strictly partners about her treatment of them.
The criticized professional dancer approached his bosses in the second week of the series after Ms Abbington’s behavior left him “concerned”. Pictured is Mr Pernice with Amanda Abbington, who was his dance partner on the BBC programme.
Pernice is represented by Joelle Rich, 41, (pictured), a partner at London-based law firm Schillings. She is the same lawyer Johnny Depp had in his 2020 defamation battle against The Sun. In the photo, Johnny Depp and Rich together.
Pernice, 33, launched her fight against claims made by Abbington, 52, and two other Strictly partners about her treatment of them.
Last night, a source close to Mr Pernice told the State Department: “Gio found the situation very disturbing so he asked for all the sessions to be recorded. “It was completely unprecedented, but Gio began to see things in Amanda’s behaviour. and wanted to make sure I was protected. What a relief!
Last November, Abbington, who left the series early, asked the BBC for the footage after claiming he had suffered post-traumatic stress disorder following his time on Strictly. It is understood she leaked this detail to the press, but there was no mention that it was Mr Pernice who asked for her training to be recorded. A friend of the dancer added: “You couldn’t make it up.”
Abbington is believed to have met with two of Pernice’s former Strictly partners, Good Morning Britain presenter Ranvir Singh and former Love Island presenter Laura Whitmore, to discuss her behaviour.
It can also be revealed that Pernice is represented by Joelle Rich, 41, a partner at London-based law firm Schillings.
She is the same lawyer Johnny Depp had in his 2020 defamation battle against The Sun.
Abbington is believed to have met with two of Pernice’s former Strictly partners, Good Morning Britain presenter Ranvir Singh and former Love Island presenter Laura Whitmore, to discuss her behaviour.
Abbington later leaked to The Sun newspaper that Pernice left her with a bruised foot during training.
Last week, Pernice insisted he would clear his name after instructing Schillings, who also represented the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
A source said: “Joelle is one of the best litigators in the country and will strongly defend Gio.”
Last week, Pernice insisted he would clear his name after instructing Schillings, who also represented the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. They will go head to head with another London law firm, Carter Ruck, which represents Ms Abbington and two other women. Carter Ruck said that “numerous serious complaints have been made to the BBC, which is now gathering evidence.”
But Abbington later leaked to The Sun newspaper that Pernice left her with a bruised foot during training. Pernice’s friends responded by saying, “The only substantive allegation is that she stepped on someone’s toes, an occupational hazard whether she was dancing professionally or at a wedding.” One celebrity who appeared on Strictly last night said: “Everyone who takes part comes home with bruises.”
