BBC promises to tackle ‘abuse’ after Amanda Abbington Strictly bullying scandal

The BBC has vowed to tackle ‘abuse’ following the Amanda Abbington Strictly bullying scandal.

Last month the BBC apologized to Amanda after she accused her Strictly partner Giovanni Pernice of bullying.

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Amanda’s claims earlier this year plunged the broadcaster’s flagship show into crisis, forcing it to launch a damage control investigation.

And celebrities like Laura Whitmore, Zara McDermott and Ranvir Singh all came forward with new claims.

The BBC today launched an investigation into its ‘workplace culture’, aiming to tackle ‘abuse of power’.

BBC chairman Samir Shah said: ‘I cannot emphasize enough my commitment to tackling inappropriate or offensive behaviour.

“For most of us, working for the BBC is a pleasure and that should be the case for everyone.

‘No one who works at the BBC should ever feel fear or anxiety while working here.

“What is clear to me is that we must ensure that the BBC is a safe and welcoming workplace for everyone.”

The BBC’s investigation aims to “ensure that the consequences of inappropriate behavior and abuse of power are understood by all”.

A spokesperson said the company plans to publish a report next spring.

After months of waiting, the findings of an investigation into Amanda’s bullying allegations were published in September.

The bombshell report came just weeks after the new Strictly season kicked off without Giovanni, who quit in May.

According to the Mail, the report confirmed six of the seventeen allegations against pro-dancer Giovanni.

Examples are found where Giovanni uses swear words and ‘derogatory’ language and gives negative feedback.

And the report also found that there were two instances of “inappropriate behavior or sexual chatter in the workplace”.

These incidents were consensual and received as jokes, humor and compliments about Amanda’s dancing, the report found.

The report concluded that Giovanni did not insult, make threats or intimidate Amanda.

The report also found that there was no aggressive or physical contact between Giovanni and Amanda.

Amanda had complained that Giovanni had sent her an inappropriate video on WhatsApp.

But the BBC did not accept this complaint and found nothing sexually inappropriate.

A spokesperson for Giovanni Pernice said the star was “pleased” with the report.

Sherlock actress Amanda revealed on Channel 4 in July that some of the alleged bullying towards her was of a sexual nature – all of which he vehemently denied.

The 50-year-old broke down in an emotional TV interview about her experiences on the dancing show.

She claimed that both Giovanni and the BBC prevented her from seeing fifty hours of footage of their rehearsals.

The BBC then began gathering evidence in the wake of the damning allegations, including claims from two other stars.

However, Giovanni, 33, was convinced he had a ‘bombshell’ recording of Amanda apologizing for being a ‘nightmare’ during training.

Giovanni, who quit in May, has since landed a new job on the Italian version of the show – he proudly announced the news on his Instagram last week.

He had performed on the British version of the show for nine years and was a fan favorite.

During that time he reached the final four times, winning once with EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis.

But he quit after complaints from Amanda, who partnered him in the 2023 series.

The complaint led to an investigation into his behavior in the practice room.

Amanda later said it was “disastrously unworkable” and suggested some of Giovanni’s comments were “sexually derogatory” in nature.

The Sun also revealed she was furious with BBC bosses for fearing the bullying investigation would be a “whitewash”.

A separate source told The Sun on Sunday that during the investigation, Amanda was asked again about an explicit video Giovanni shared with her.

The source said: “In their very first interview with Amanda, investigators told her they completely believed her account of events.”

But the source added that Amanda later felt that investigators, and others at the BBC, doubted at least some of her complaints.

Amanda quit last October, saying she was diagnosed with PTSD following her appearance on the show.

The investigation revealed that she suffered a bruised foot during rehearsals, that Giovanni grabbed his crotch in front of dance partners while making obscene comments, and that a telephone was thrown across the room.

Good Morning Britain presenter Ranvir Singh is also said to have complained about her treatment by partner Giovanni in the 2020 series.

TV presenter Laura Whitmore, 39, who danced with Giovanni in 2016, also revealed she complained to the BBC about his inappropriate behavior eight years ago.

Giovanni, meanwhile, has maintained his innocence of the accusation and has continued to promise to clear his name.

The star has also apparently had the support of all four judges, who have since attended specialist workshops at Gio’s dance school Ballando.

In photos posted to his Instagram earlier this month, Gio was seen drinking wine on the luxury boat and topping up his tan in a pair of soaking black swim trunks.

Giovanni’s co-star Graziano Di Prima was fired after video emerged of him kicking and spitting on his former celebrity partner Zara McDermott.

Earlier, Zara broke her silence with a lengthy comment on the alleged ‘physical incidents’.

The Sun also revealed Zara suffered a broken leg bone during a tough workout on the show last year.

The report, launched at the start of the summer, has reportedly cost taxpayers more than £250,000 so far.

In light of the investigation, the BBC has now introduced new duty of care protocols, including having chaperones in the rehearsal rooms so the celebrities can monitor what is happening.

The series is celebrating its 20th series this year – with Nick Knowles, Paul Merson, Tasha Ghouri and Pete Wicks joining this season’s line-up.

Comedian McCausland, the first blind Strictly contestant, JLS star JB Gill and singer Toyah Willcox are among the other celebrities who have joined this year.