Strictly’s Giovanni Pernice claims only point of Amanda Abbington allegations ‘were to destroy me’
Giovanni Pernice thinks that the only point of allegations made by his Strictly dancing partner Amanda Abbington were to destroy him and his career.
The 34-year-old Italian professional dancer has been responding to complaints of verbal bullying and harassment made by the actress, who pulled out of the show last year.
The BBC upheld “some, but not all” of the allegations, with Abbington describing an apology from the corporation as a “vindication”, while Pernice denied displaying “abusive or threatening behaviour”.
Speaking on ITV’s Lorraine, Pernice described his relief that the most serious allegations were thrown out.
“Yes, six has been upheld but 11 hasn’t been upheld, which is again, the most serious were not,” he said.
He added: “When it comes to that one upheld we got some allegation of verbal bullying, as we say, I adapt with the person that will go in front of me, and vice versa.
“If you’re in the room and we decide one sort of relationship within us two, I feel safe at that time, we were OK with it and was fine. Never been a difficulty of ‘Please don’t say this to me’. And the other allegation, that was me being frustrated, which I recognise.”
In a separate interview with the Mail+, he described how he “wanted to punch the television” when he heard Abbington in a Channel 4 interview claim the allegations against him were of a “sexual nature” – claims which were not upheld by the BBC.
He told the news site: “It was the first time there was talk of anything sexual. Of course, I was worried it could destroy my career – the people that come to my shows are kids and women.
“I was painted as a person I am not. It seemed like the only point was to destroy me.”
Pic: PA
Appearing on Lorraine, hosted by Christine Lampard, Pernice was asked about his methods during rehearsals. He said: “I wouldn’t change my teaching style because, in my opinion, it’s a profession, dancing is a very difficult thing to do.
“It’s a difficult discipline, and for me, teaching, the way I teach, is the successful way to approach this. Yes, you could change the approach, but not changing the teaching style.”
Pernice, who was not announced as part of this year’s Strictly lineup, has since joined the Italian edition.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
What next for Strictly after BBC apology?
In 2021, he lifted the Strictly glitterball trophy alongside EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis – the first deaf contestant to win. He also reached the final in 2017 with Debbie McGee and in 2018 with Faye Tozer.
This year the show brought in changes, including the presence of chaperones during rehearsals, following a number of allegations.
Read more from Sky News:
Liam Payne had cocaine in body when he died
Reports Harvey Weinstein has rare cancer
Iron Maiden react to death of former singer
In July, Strictly professional dancer, Graziano Di Prima confirmed he was leaving Strictly amid reports of alleged misconduct. Separately Laura Whitmore alleged ‘inappropriate behaviour’ during her time on the show.
Last week Welsh opera singer Wynne Evans said he was “heartbroken” over suggestions he made his professional dance partner Katya Jones “uncomfortable” during one episode.
A BBC spokesperson later told Sky News “their interactions were silly jokes”.
Entertainment
‘I’m shocked at how fragile I am still’: Cumberbatch and Colman on protecting their sanity from perils of social media
Actor Benedict Cumberbatch says he’s shocked at how “fragile” he still is – despite years in the spotlight and success in the industry.
It might seem like the Doctor Strange star and The Crown actress Olivia Colman have it all when it comes to money and success – but they are also human like the rest of us.
The pair lead the cast of new satirical black comedy The Roses, which sees picture-perfect couple Ivy and Theo Rose – a rising star chef and ambitious architect – raise their two children in California, while chasing their own dreams.
‘I am shocked at how fragile I am’
But behind its dark humour and comic language, the film also looks at the realities of power imbalance, insecurity and wounded pride – in even the strongest of relationships.
And 49-year-old Cumberbatch – whose character faces a major setback in his career – tells Sky News that in real life the glare of social media only intensifies those type of situations.
“I am shocked at how fragile I am still.
“I don’t go anywhere near it [social media] because of that.
“It’s like walking into a place where people want to marry you or kill you. Those extremes.
“I think we will get to a stage, a corporate culture that’s now manifested around it where people are obliged to do that in order to sell their lives, and therefore their brand and what they do for a living.”
Co-star Colman – who’s long-shunned the online world – agrees.
Cumberbatch and Colman in The Roses. Pic: Jaap Buitendijk/ Searchlight Pictures
Read more from Sky News:
Taylor Swift announces engagement to Travis Kelce – and reveals huge ring
Bridgerton creator on ‘bizarre’ criticism – Watch
“I’m afraid I am very thin-skinned.
“I don’t look at any of it. My husband will look at a review and if it’s nice he’ll show me – but if it’s anything mean he knows to just go ‘don’t look – don’t look.’
“You just have to learn to be thicker-skinned.
“But actually, I think we need people who are sensitive and kind.”
‘Don’t do it… delete it all’
Colman – now 51, and whose leading role in The Favourite bagged her an Academy Award in 2019 – says no amount of experience and success can shield her from criticism.
“My advice to a young’un – sort of dipping their toe into the world of social media for the first time is absolutely don’t do it.
“Delete it all. If you want a happy life, don’t have any of it. I’ve never had it.”
The movie – directed by Meet The Parents’ Jay Roach with The Favourite screenwriter Tony McNamara – also calls into question the notion of success – asking, is it really possible to have it all?
Or is sacrifice inevitable when it comes to spinning the plates of a high-flying career, marriage and parenthood?
Cumberbatch admits “you can’t do it all without there being a cost”.
“You just have to weigh up what those balances are,” he adds.
Colman says “there are I suppose little sacrifices along the way” – from both sides of a relationship.
The comedy drama offers a fresh take on Warren Adler’s novel The War Of The Roses – and the 1989 hit film adaptation- starring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner.
Colman and Cumberbatch – both producers on the film – insist they weren’t daunted by that though.
“We wanted to find a project to do together, and we have utter respect for the iconic status of the film and book,” explains Cumberbatch.
“Hopefully this will have its own place in the culture – it’s very different, it’s not a remake – it’s a reimagined jumping-on point.”
“But beyond that, it’s very different,” adds Colman.
Former Doctor Who Ncuti Gatwa and Barbie’s Kate McKinnon also form the cast.
The Roses is out in UK cinemas now.
Entertainment
Top Boy and Eddington actor Micheal Ward granted bail as he appears in court on rape charges
-
Sports3 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports1 year agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports2 years agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports4 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Sports2 years agoButton battles heat exhaustion in NASCAR debut
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment11 months agoHere are the best electric bikes you can buy at every price level in October 2024