The celebrity who complained to BBC bosses about her treatment on the hit show Strictly Come Dancing fears corporation bosses will paint “a whitewash” over their investigation, and that the process feels like that of a “boys club” – ie BBC managers protecting their own.
Amanda Abbington complained to the BBC after she quit the show (the original of the format sold all over the world, known in the US as Dancing With the Stars) last year. She had been partnered with dancer Giovanni Pernice, and she claimed that he had been abusive and bullying in his treatment of her during rehearsal sessions. Pernice has denied all claims against him, but has since left the show and won’t be among the lineup when it launches for its important 20th anniversary series in a week’s time.
The BBC’s report following its investigation into her claims is due to be published in a few days, and a source close to Abbington told The Sun newspaper:
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“She’s deeply disappointed with the BBC. She thinks it feels like such a boys’ club.
“As well as the probe taking so long, it feels like they are protecting Giovanni to save themselves and ignoring not only her experience but that of other women who’ve bravely come forward.
“Amanda feels tired, upset and very angry with the way it’s all been handled.
“She is worried there will be a predictable whitewash and others will, once again, suffer from aggression and abuse.”
The newspaper quotes insiders at the BBC saying that the report will be published ahead of the launch of the new series.
Pernice has this weekend announced he will be joining the Italian version of the show, saying on Instagram:
“I can finally reveal that from next week, I will be joining the cast of Ballando con le stelle, which is the equivalent of Dancing with the Stars, Italian version, of course.
“I’m excited because finally I’m back on the dance floor, and hopefully I will create some new magic on the dance floor,” he said.
“So I’m very, very happy about it. Now I have to do the same thing in Italian because there is an Italian audience.”
The BBC has introduced new measures for the series, including having chaperones in the rehearsal rooms at all times.
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