Amanda Abbington gushes about ‘incredible’ Giovanni Pernice in resurfaced video posted shortly before the Strictly ‘bullying’ storm

A video has resurfaced of Amanda Abbington praising Giovanni Pernice shortly before making a series of bullying claims about him.

The 50-year-old actress left BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing in week six of October last year and later accused her Strictly partner Mr Pernice of inappropriate behaviour.

The former Strictly pro, 34, was cleared of most of the allegations made against him by the star, while six were confirmed, and is now moving on with his career plans.

However, another video has since surfaced of the Sherlock actress talking about Mr Pernice’s ‘amazing’ choreography skills during a studio rehearsal.

In the clip, the Sherlock actress can be seen sitting in the car and enthusiastically talking about her dance routine, while complimenting Pernice’s ‘beautiful’ creative approach.

Another video has surfaced of Amanda Abbington praising Giovanni Pernice, shortly before making a series of bullying claims about him

Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni Pernice was cleared of most of the allegations against him by his former partner, actress Amanda Abbington

The 50-year-old actress left BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing in week six of October last year and later accused her Strictly partner Mr Pernice of inappropriate behaviour.

Ms. Abbington, who sat in her car while picking up her children, Joe, 18, and Grace, 16, discussed her rehearsal day, mentioning costume fittings, spray tans and press interviews.

She added: ‘We have to be careful because we swear a lot, me and Giovanni. We’re really bad swearers. We make each other laugh with our swearing.’

Mrs Abbington continued: ‘We did our dance for the first time in the studio – three times in front of the cameras. I love our dance, it’s a beautiful thing.

‘He’s an incredible choreographer, Giovanni, he’s amazing. And he created something very beautiful, I think. So we are both very satisfied.’

Despite appearing to hit it off with Mr Penice for the first time, Ms Abbington abruptly left Strictly Come Dancing in week six, citing personal reasons.

Shortly after her departure, she made a series of allegations against Mr Pernice, accusing him of verbal abuse and inappropriate sexual behavior during their rehearsals.

The BBC cleared Pernice of physical aggression against Ms Abbington, but upheld six of the 17 complaints.

In an interview with the BBC’s Newsnight programme, Ms Abbington claimed that two of the upheld complaints related to inappropriate behavior of a sexual nature.

The BBC carried out an investigation after Ms Abbington, 50, quit the 2023 series after just five weeks before making the allegations

Pernice’s spokesperson said the dancer is ‘satisfied’ after the ‘overwhelming majority’ of claims against him were dismissed

Ms Abbington claimed the former Strictly professional would ‘outline his erection’ during their Strictly Come Dancing rehearsals.

She told the programme: ‘When I got a dance step right, he would sketch his erection in his pants and tell me that this was what my dance step had accomplished, because I got it right.’

Ms Abbington described the experience as a “constant litany” of verbal abuse and sexual misconduct.

Earlier this month, Ms Abbington said she was relieved the cancer scare meant she could quit Strictly Come Dancing – and train with Mr Pernice.

Speaking to The Sun, the actress revealed she had discovered two lumps in her breast on the morning of her Strict departure.

Abbington returned to the stage in the summer, starring in the play When it Happens to You, while also making several TV appearances to discuss her experiences on Strictly.

‘In my last week, on Thursday morning, I was in the shower and found two lumps. After a mammogram a few months ago I was completely safe.’

Ms. Abbington went to rehearsals, where she said she “just couldn’t concentrate” while working on a cha-cha-cha with Mr. Pernice, who she claims “couldn’t understand” and was “useless” . .

She said her dance partner “refused to even look at me” before telling him she had found two lumps and would be leaving rehearsals to go to hospital before leaving the show.

Now focused on his future, Pernice recently announced a 2025 dance tour with his good friend and fellow dancer Anton Du Beke.

Abbington returned to the stage in the summer, starring in the play When it Happens to You, while also making several TV appearances to discuss her experiences on Strictly.