Laura Whitmore confirms she’s spoken to BBC about Giovanni Pernice’s ‘inappropriate’ behaviour on Strictly

LAURA Whitmore has confirmed she has spoken to the BBC regarding Giovanni Pernice’s ‘inappropriate’ behaviour on the show.

The presenter, who danced with the under-fire dancer in 2016, has said she hopes that by speaking out she will be helping to  ‘stop a pattern of behaviour’.

In a lengthy post today, Laura wrote:  “I was trying not to comment on recent press speculation until the BBC review is complete but feel there is a lot of misinformation in the press and I want to help and show support by setting the record straight. 

“I was asked to speak to the BBC along with six people that I know of (who deserve anonymity as they don’t want to be dragged through the press), about inappropriate behaviour they experienced similar to mine with the same individual. I initially raised concerns back in 2016. “

She continued: “I thought my experience was specific to me but I’ve since learned 1 was wrong.

“The aim of this is to show a pattern of behaviour that I believe needs to stop. My evidence is to support other people’s experience. It’s a shame it takes this for someone to be heard.

“I am not looking for anything just an acceptance that what happened to me in the rehearsal rooms during my time on BBC Strictly was wrong and that it won’t happen to anyone else again, 

“Because I have not made an official complaint, and am providing evidence of my experience to support the investigation, not all the communication will be passed on to all parties involved. “

She added: “Misinformation is being put into the press so I want to set the record straight. Victim blaming must stop or we will never get better. I’ve tried to speak up in the correct way. I know the BBC and all outlets continue to do their best to be better, but for that to happen we must speak up.”