Strictly Come Dancing staff handed over phones in Giovanni Pernice ‘bullying’ probe as BBC’s findings set to be released
STRICTLY Come Dancing staff were reportedly asked to hand in their phones as part of a probe into allegations of bullying involving Giovanni Pernice.
Giovanni left the show this year after nine years following an official complaint made against him by his 2023 partner, Amanda Abbington.
Amanda, who quit the hit show early last year, has called Giovanni’s behaviour towards her “abusive”.
But the Italian, who has since left the show, has denied any wrongdoing.
With just days before the series launch on Saturday, the £250,000 BBC probe has now reviewed all evidence.
And it has been revealed that crew members had their phones searched for references to Giovanni Pernice or Amanda Abbington, reports the Mirror.
Staff reportedly had their emails, texts and WhatsApps examined after the allegations.
The subject access request is understood to have been made to the BBC by Amanda’s team, to provide any personal data or information that might shed light on Gio and Amanda’s relationship.
A source said: “People complied with it in the hope that it shoots down any claims of a cover-up.”
Sherlock actress Amanda made a series of accusations about Giovanni’s teaching methods and has described his behaviour as “unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean”.
But the complainant, 50, is braced for bad news, as she suspects bosses have sided with the Italian dancer, 34.
A source said: “The BBC are hopeful they will finally be able to share the findings of the probe but considering there have been so many delays, nothing is set in stone.
It is accepted the dossier won’t be released in full but instead a simple statement may be put out covering the conclusion.
“Either way there are many interested parties and it could pave the way for more celebrities or crew members to speak up.
“It’s down to the wire, but the BBC hope the sparkle of the new series launch could sweep away the scandal.”
The row threatens to overshadow the 20th anniversary series of the hit BBC1 dance competition, which begins on Saturday.
The Sun told this weekend how Amanda is concerned the probe hangs on the interpretation of an explicit video Giovanni shared.
His side argue it was “banter”, while she found it “offensive”.
Giovanni quit Strictly earlier this year as the investigation began.
Last week he announced that he will star in the Italian version of the show Ballando con le Stelle.
Two weeks ago Giovanni feared that the bosses of the Italian show would not sign him due to him not yet being exonerated as the BBC continues to take its time revealing the outcome of its investigation.
The BBC were contacted for comment by The Sun.
Strictly's full scandal so far
Strictly Come Dancing's scandal has been growing over the past few months, with several major players speaking out about what went on. Here are the key moments of what's happened so far
16th May: Giovanni Pernice sensationally quits Strictly Come Dancing after nine years on the show.
17th May: Giovanni becomes the centre of an official investigation after three former partners – believed to be Amanda Abbington, Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh – make complaints to the BBC.
16th June: Giovanni releases an official statement vowing to clear his name and denies any wrongdoing.
8th July: Strictly confirms Aljaz Skorjanec will return to the series, replacing Giovanni, after initially quitting the show two years ago.
10th July: Amanda Abbington launches fresh legal proceedings to get the rehearsal footage from her time with Giovanni, after allegedly he refused to release the videos.
13th July: Graziano Di Prima is axed from Strictly for “gross misconduct” after footage of his treatment of Zara McDermott is brought to the attention of the BBC.
Graziano quickly broke his silence, apologising for his behaviour in a statement and saying he “deeply regrets it”, adding his “intense passion and determination to win might have affected his training regime.”
15th July: Strictly bosses implement new duty of care protocols, including having a chaperone present throughout all rehearsals.
16th July: Zara McDermott speaks out publicly for first time. She states while the production team were “amazing to work with”, she found the rehearsal room “completely different”, confirming there’s footage of “certain situations”.
19th July: Anton Du Beke is put under the spotlight for his “1970s attitude” and treatment of female celeb stars, particularly after allegedly referring to 2009 partner Laila Rouass as a “p***” after getting a spray tan.
21st July: Paralympian Will Bayley, who has limb condition arthrogryposis, revealed he was encouraged to leap from a table during a dance routine, despite fears. The stunt caused an injury that forced him to withdraw from the show.
22nd July: MasterChef’s Gregg Wallace admits he broke down in tears and got a nasty stress rash on his face during his time on Strictly in 2014.
22nd July: Despite ongoing issues, the Strictly professional cast begin rehearsals for this year’s series.
23rd July: Celebrity agent Melanie Blake claims she was sexually assaulted by an unnamed pro dancer while backstage on the show, and claims she witnessed ageism, rudeness and a rough treatment to the point of injury.
23rd July: Strictly is forced to beef up security after ‘an intruder scales the wall of the rehearsal studio’.
23rd July: BBC boss Tim Davie breaks his silence on the ongoing allegations against Strictly, saying he is ‘deeply sorry’, adding: “Hundreds of people, be they pros, contestants or crew have been part of it and had a brilliant experience.
“At the same time if someone thinks there was something wrong or they want to talk about their experience then of course we want them to raise that with us. Be in no doubt we will take it seriously, listen and deal with it as appropriate.”
24th July: Strictly 2023 star Krishnan Guru-Murthy holds a bombshell interview with Amanda Abbington on Channel 4 news, where she claims she was bullied, with some of the ‘humilation being of a sexual nature’.
27th July: Laura Whitmore releases a statement regarding her Strictly experience, saying “I thought my experience was specific to me but I’ve since learned I was wrong”.
She adds she is not part of the official complaint, but has come forward to support Amanda with the BBC, alongside others.
28th July: Laila Rouass speaks out against the accusations regarding Anton Du Beke, saying she “never felt pressured” by him and “personally insisted on six to seven hours training a day”.
10th August: Graziano breaks his silence on his Strictly axe, saying “these vile, false allegations have ruined my life.”
He also told of the “shocking” end to his friendship with Zara McDermott.
We also revealed that Amanda Abbington was also quizzed for a second time as Strictly execs recruited 15 new staff to monitor rehearsals.
11th August: Just as the investigation was expected to conclude, Amanda made a dramatic intervention. Giovanni was on the brink of being cleared until Amanda handed in more text messages.
24th August: Graziano Di Prima called in top lawyers to sue the BBC and to try to clear his name. He recruited big hitters Whitestone Chambers to fight his corner.
A source said: “They’ve also looked at his BBC contract and believe there are grounds to sue.”
Meanwhile, the BBC also delayed releasing the findings of the probe into Giovanni Pernice. The Sun revealed that the results of the three-month investigation were unlikely to be announced in August.