BBC vows to tackle ‘abusive behaviour’ after Amanda Abbington Strictly bullying scandal
THE BBC has today launched a probe into “workplace culture” and vowed to tackle “abusive behaviour”.
It comes after a string of scandals including Huw Edwards and alleged Strictly bullying.
In July disgraced BBC star Edwards admitted being sent a string of child sex images – including sexual videos of a boy as young as seven.
The BBC was told in November its star newsreader had been arrested over child sex images – but kept paying him for another five months.
And the BBC apologised to actress Amanda Abbington last month after she accused her Strictly partner Giovanni Pernice of bullying.
Amanda’s claims earlier this year threw the broadcaster’s flagship show into crisis, forcing it to launch a probe to limit the damage.
And celebs including Laura Whitmore, Zara McDermott and Ranvir Singh all came forward with fresh claims.
The BBC has today launched a probe into its “workplace culture” – aiming to crack down on “abuse of power”.
BBC Chair Samir Shah said: “I cannot emphasise enough that I am fully committed to tackling inappropriate or abusive behaviour.
“For most of us it is a joy to work for the BBC and that should be the case for everyone.
“Nobody working in the BBC should ever feel fear or worry while working here.
“What is clear to me is that we must ensure the BBC is a safe, secure and welcoming workplace for everyone.”
The BBC’s probe aims to “ensure the consequences of inappropriate behaviour and abuse of power are understood by everyone”.
A spokesperson said the corporation intends to publish a report next spring.
After months of waiting, the findings of a probe 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.
The report upheld six out of 17 allegations against pro dancer Giovanni, according to the Mail.
It finds instances of Giovanni using swear words and “belittling” language and giving negative feedback.
And the report also finds there there were two moments of “inappropriate behaviour of sexual banter in the workplace”.
These incidents were made and received consensually as jokes, humour and compliments of Amanda dancing, the report finds.
The report concluded that Giovanni was not abusive to Amanda, did not make threats and was not intimidating.
The report also found that there was no aggressive or physical contact between Giovanni and Amanda.
Amanda had complained that Giovanni sent her an inappropriate video on WhatsApp.
But the BBC did not uphold this complaint and did not find anything sexually inappropriate.
A spokesperson for Giovanni Pernice said the star was “pleased” by the report.
Sherlock actress Amanda revealed in July on Channel 4 that some of the alleged bullying towards her was of a sexual nature — all of which he strenuously denied.
The 50-year-old broke down in an emotional TV interview about her experiences on the dance show.
She claimed she was being blocked by both Giovanni and the BBC from seeing 50 hours of footage from their rehearsals.
The BBC subsequently began “evidence gathering” in the wake of the damning allegations, which included claims from two other stars.
However, Giovanni, 33, was adamant he had a “bombshell” recording in which Amanda apologised for being a “nightmare” in training.
Giovanni, who quit in May, has since landed a new job on the Italian version of the show – proudly announcing the news on his Instagram last week.
He had performed on the UK version of the show for nine years and had been a fans’ favourite.
During that time, he made the finale four times and won once with EastEnders star, Rose Ayling-Ellis.
But he quit following complaints from Amanda, who partnered him on the 2023 series.
The complaint triggered a probe into his behaviour in the rehearsal room.
Amanda later said it was “disastrously unworkable” and suggested some of Giovanni’s comments were “sexually humiliating” in nature.
The Sun also revealed she was in a rage with BBC bosses over fears their the bullying probe would be a “whitewash”.
A separate source told The Sun on Sunday that during the inquiry 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 that they fully believed her account of events.”
But the source added Amanda later felt as if investigators, and others at the BBC, doubted at least some of her complaints.
Amanda quit last October, saying she had been diagnosed with PTSD following her stint on the show.
The inquiry heard she suffered a bruised foot at rehearsals, that Giovanni grabbed his crotch in front of dance partners while making lewd comments, and a phone was thrown across the room.
Good Morning Britain host Ranvir Singh is understood to have also complained about her treatment by partner Giovanni in the 2020 series.
TV presenter Laura Whitmore, 39, who danced with Giovanni in 2016, also revealed that she complained to the BBC eight years ago about his inappropriate behaviour.
Giovanni, meanwhile, has always maintained his innocence regarding the allegation, and has continued to vow to clear his name.
The star has also seemingly had the support of all four judges, who have since done specialist workshops at Gio’s dance school, Ballando.
In photos posted on his Instagram earlier this month, Gio was seen sipping wine on the luxury boat and topping up his tan in sopping wet black swimming trunks.
Giovanni’s co-star Graziano Di Prima was sacked after video emerged of him kicking and spitting on his former celebrity partner Zara McDermott.
Previously, Zara broke her silence with a lengthy comment on the alleged “physical incidents”.
The Sun also revealed that Zara had broken a leg bone in a tough training session during the show last year.
The report, launched at the start of the summer, has reportedly cost taxpayers over £250,000 so far.
In light of the probe, the BBC have now put new duty of care protocols in place, including having chaperones in the rehearsal rooms for the celebrities to monitor what goes on.
The series is celebrating its 20th series this year – with Nick Knowles, Paul Merson, Tasha Ghouri and Pete Wicks in this season’s line-up.
Comedian McCausland, who is the first blind Strictly contestant, JLS star JB Gill, singer Toyah Willcox are among the celebrities other who have joined this year.