Amanda Abbington has said she is ‘deeply disappointed’ by BBC bosses’ fears that they are ‘protecting’ Giovanni Pernice during an investigation into bullying.
Sherlock actress Amanda, 50, has made a series of allegations about her pro Giovanni Pernice’s teaching methods, describing his behaviour as ‘unnecessary, insulting, cruel and vile’. He has vehemently denied all the claims.
The report has been completed and can be published within a few days.
A friend of Amanda’s told The sun: ‘She is deeply disappointed with the BBC. She feels it feels like a boys’ club.
‘Not only is the investigation taking a long time, but it also feels like they are protecting Giovanni to save himself. They are ignoring not only her experiences, but also those of other women who have bravely come forward.
Amanda Abbington is ‘deeply disappointed’ with BBC bosses over fears they are ‘protecting’ Giovanni Pernice amid bullying investigation
Sherlock actress Amanda, 50, has made a series of allegations about her pro Giovanni Pernice’s teaching methods, describing his behaviour as ‘unnecessary, insulting, cruel and vile’. He has strongly denied all the claims
‘Amanda is tired, upset and very angry about the way it has all been handled.
‘She fears that a predictable cover-up will develop and that others will once again be confronted with aggression and abuse.’
MailOnline has contacted Amanda and the BBC for comment.
It comes after it emerged Amanda found BBC bosses’ interrogation techniques “deeply offensive” amid the show’s ongoing investigation into misconduct.
The actress has been questioned for the second time about a banned video the dancer shared with her and an “indecent comment” he made about another celebrity contestant when the video was sent.
Giovanni is also said to have made a rude comment about a member of Amanda’s family, prompting BBC bosses to ‘essentially ask’ her if the dancer had meant the remark in a light-hearted manner.
A source told The Sun: ‘[Amanda] found this form of questioning very insulting.’
Regarding the alleged video, they told the publication: ‘The BBC cannot ignore the fact that the video was sent. There appears to be a trail of evidence.’
‘Even if it is established that the images were shared with innocent intent, the BBC is concerned that this could constitute a breach of conduct as set out in the contract handed to the professional dancers.’
A BBC spokesman said: ‘As we have said before, we will not comment on individuals and we will not speculate.’
Amanda has a daughter Grace and a son Joe with her ex-partner Martin Freeman, 52, to whom she was married for 16 years, from 2000 to 2016.
The actress has been questioned for the second time about an illegal video the dancer shared with her, and about an “indecent comment” he made about another celebrity (Amanda pictured during rehearsals)
In an interview, Amanda compared the dance show to “the trenches” and told Channel 4 News that BBC producers were “appalled” by clips that also allegedly showed “degrading behaviour of a sexual nature”.
An investigation was launched after several celebrities, including Amanda Abbington and Zara McDermott (pictured), sparked scandals surrounding abuse and bullying on the family show
This comes after Martin asked her for support after the scandal and asked her for help during the turbulent time. Her fiancé Jonathan Goodwin also received this support, The Sun reports.
The BBC is expected to conclude its investigation into Giovanni soon, after weeks of investigation.
This comes after it was revealed that Amanda recently handed over more texts containing new revelations about Giovanni’s behaviour on Strictly.
The dramatic intervention is said to have thrown the BBC’s investigation into the conduct of professional Giovanni into chaos and ‘changed the course of the inquiry’.
According to The Sun, Amanda came forward with new shocking messages, just as the investigation was almost complete, which would show that Giovanni ‘crossed the line of what was acceptable’.
Amanda was reportedly questioned for the second time by BBC bosses over ‘crude comments’ she claims Giovanni made.
She was reportedly questioned via video call last week, when she spoke to two former Met detectives about her allegations about the 33-year-old professional dancer.
They reportedly discussed allegations of sexual comments during rehearsals, as well as “new evidence.” Giovanni has denied all allegations against him.
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Amanda, Giovanni and the BBC for comment.
Amanda has made a series of allegations about Giovanni’s teaching methods, describing his behaviour as ‘unnecessary, insulting, cruel and mean’. He has vehemently denied all the allegations.
In an interview, Amanda compared the dance show to “the trenches” and told Channel 4 News that BBC producers were “appalled” by clips that allegedly included “degrading sexual behaviour”.
In another interview with Christine Lampard on Lorraine she said: ‘It was inappropriate, mean, unkind, bullying and I put up with it for five, six weeks.
Amanda shares her children with her ex-partner Martin Freeman (pictured 2015) and he is said to have contacted the actress to support her in the scandal
‘It started very early and when it started I shut down because I recognized the warning signs.
‘And then I would shut down and it would be hard to get in. And that would be a self-fulfilling prophecy.’
Of her schedule for the show, she said, “I went to the rehearsal space every day. I’ve been in rehearsal spaces for 32 years.
‘I know what rehearsal spaces should look like.
“No matter what your background is – whether it’s dancing, acting or singing – you have an obligation to bring compassion, understanding, sensitivity and kindness to the rehearsal room.
‘And I wasn’t told that (on Strictly). So I just said I don’t think that’s right.’
