The BBC has addressed the ongoing Strictly Come Dancing scandal involving Giovanni Pernice . Earlier this month, it was reported that the Italian professional dancer, who has been embroiled in controversy since his celebrity partner Amanda Abbington unexpectedly quit the show in 2023, is the centre of an investigation, which is being assisted by a number of celebrities he has previously been paired with. These files, compiled by legal firm Carter Ruck, reportedly include photographic evidence that suggest Pernice’s training regime was so “brutal” that his celebrity partners were left “black and blue”.
While Sherlock star Abbington originally cited “medical reasons” for her decision to leave, she went on to request what was described by a source as “tense” footage of her rehearsals with Pernice for a supposed investigation. The actor then revealed she was “diagnosed with mild PTSD after Strictly for several reasons”. It was alleged in March that Good Morning Britain host Ranvir Singh and former Love Island presenter Laura Whitmore , who previously said she was “uncomfortable” with Pernice , had a “tearful summit” with Abbington about their respective “difficult experiences” working with the dancer, “who is well known to be intense during training”.
After multiple requests for comment, the BBC has now shared a statement on the matter, reading: “It is a longstanding position that the BBC does not comment on specific matters related to indi.
