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.
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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.
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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
Snoop Dogg becomes co-owner and investor of Swansea football club saying it’s ‘an underdog just like me’
Police are taking no further action over Kneecap’s performance at Glastonbury.
Officers said they had investigated “comments about a forthcoming court case made during Kneecap’s performance” at the festival on 28 June.
However, after Crown Prosecution Service advice, they decided there is not enough evidence “to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any offence”.
The Avon & Somerset force started investigating the Irish group’s show last month, as well as comments by punk-rap duo Bob Vylan.
It said they were looking at a possible public order incident.
Police said on Friday that the investigation into Bob Vylan’s performance was ongoing.
The London duo were widely criticised – and caused a BBC crisis – after leading on-stage chants of “death to the IDF” (Israel Defence Forces).
Kneecap’s Liam Og O Hannaidh appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in June. Pic: PA
Kneecap posted a photograph on Instagram, which the group said was an email from police announcing the case was being dropped.
They said their packed Glastonbury gig was a “celebration of love and solidarity” and reporting used “wildly misleading headlines”.
Fears over what Kneecap might do or say during the performance had prompted the BBC not to show it live.
The group said: “Every single person who saw our set knew no law was broken, not even close… yet the police saw fit to publicly announce they were opening an investigation.”
“There is no public apology, they don’t send this to media or post it on police accounts,” they added.
The police statement on Friday said they had informed Kneecap of their decision to drop the case.
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One of the group’s members appeared in court in June charged with a terror offence.
Liam Og O hAnnaidh is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation in the UK, at a gig last year.
He was released on unconditional bail ahead of a second court appearance in August.
Entertainment
Tomorrowland: ‘Devastating’ blaze destroys main stage at major festival – two days before it was due to begin
A huge fire has destroyed the main stage of a major festival in Belgium – two days before it was due to begin.
Tomorrowland is a dance music event as big as Glastonbury – and David Guetta was due to perform.
Footage showed flames and thick plumes of black smoke engulfing the stage and spreading to nearby woodland on Wednesday.
The fire gutted the main stage
Fire crews attempt to bring the blaze under control
The annual festival in the town of Boom, north of Brussels, is one of the biggest in Europe and attracts about 400,000 people over two consecutive weekends.
It is famous for its immersive and elaborate designs and attracts big names within dance music – including Guetta, best known for tracks When Love Takes Over and Titanium.
Dutch DJs Martin Garrix and Charlotte de Witte were also due to perform, along with the likes of Swedish House Mafia, Eric Prydz and Alok.
Black smoke could be seen rising into the sky
The festival’s website described the creative elements which went into the elaborate main stage.
The theme, described as Orbyz, was “set in a magical universe made entirely out of ice” and “full of mythical creatures”.
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Organisers said no one was injured in the blaze but confirmed “our beloved main stage has been severely damaged”, adding they were “devastated”.
Spokesperson Debby Wilmsen added: “We received some truly terrible news today. A fire broke out on the Tomorrowland site … and our main stage was essentially destroyed there, which is truly awful.
“That’s a stage that took years to build, with so much love and passion. So I think a lot of people are devastated.”
Spokesperson Debby Wilmsen told reporters ‘a lot of people are devastated’
Despite the fire, Tomorrowland organisers said they were still expecting 38,000 festivalgoers at DreamVille, the event’s campsite.
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