Did Amanda Abbington use Giovanni as a punchbag to purge the pain of split from Martin Freeman? That’s what Strictly insiders tell KATIE HIND may be what’s ‘driving’ her crusade

During her first interview since the BBC published the findings of its Strictly ‘bullying’ investigation, Amanda Abbington revealed how she had endured ‘one of the worst years of my life’.

The actress, dressed in black and with her hair in a bun, told sympathetic Newsnight presenter Victoria Derbyshire: ‘I’ve been through a lot. Women go through a lot. But it has been a very unpleasant, turbulent and brutal time in my life.”

The “fate” Ms Abbington alluded to undoubtedly included the toxic feud with her former dance partner Giovanni Pernice.

But, as sources have indicated, it could also include splitting from her long-term partner – fellow actor Martin Freeman. The couple, who have two children, were together for 16 years.

Following the break-up of their relationship in 2016, Ms Abbington previously revealed she felt she “didn’t need to be here anymore” and considered suicide.

Shortly before her divorce from Freeman, the 52-year-old filed for bankruptcy. Meanwhile, he made millions from his performances in The Hobbit films, elevating himself from the underperforming salesman in the sitcom The Office to a bona fide Hollywood star.

During the process, 53-year-old Freeman found love again with a woman 22 years his junior, French actress Rachel Benaissa.

Mrs. Abbington, who raised their children most of the time, remained a working actress.

Today, Freeman has five film roles ready for release or in pre-production, and regularly appears on his lover’s Instagram, having undergone what one observer described as a “glow-up.”

It is no surprise that some involved in the recent BBC investigation are questioning whether the fallout from their split has prompted Ms Abbington to ‘carry on and on’ in the hope of being proven right. One source said: ‘Amanda had a terrible time when she and Martin split. She felt completely helpless. It couldn’t have been easy watching him leave and then rebuild his life with a much younger woman.

‘She must have had some very dark periods where she had no control. But then Amanda found some measure of control with her case against her Strictly dance partner. It was as if she felt like she could take the initiative and get what she wanted if she just kept at it. Now she feels like she has accomplished just that.”

One source even wonders if some of her anger and bitterness towards Freeman was directed at Pernice, suggesting the Sicilian dancer became “a surrogate punching bag for her ex.”

Friends of Pernice have claimed: ‘Something much deeper than just her feeling of being the victim of verbal bullying and intimidation while training for Strictly certainly drove her.

‘She didn’t give up. Her urge to be right must come from somewhere.

“But it seems so unfair to Gio that he had to pay the price.”

The BBC published its review of Ms Abbington’s claims against Pernice last week, apologizing to the actress and upholding six of her 17 complaints.

However, the company cleared Pernice of claims of physical aggression, with the 34-year-old saying he was ‘satisfied’. [it] found no indications of threatening or insulting behavior’.

Although the report’s verdict is seen by some as a pyrrhic victory for Ms Abbington, she has said her motivation was to stand up for herself and encourage other women to do the same.

She told Newsnight: ‘So many women have come up to me since I made this complaint, thanking me for being brave enough to stand up and complain about something that was affecting me in a work situation.

‘So many women came up to me asking if they could give me a hug. I did it for the women who came before me, who had experienced the same thing in that work environment.’

Freeman has reportedly supported Ms Abbington during her Strictly ordeal, although he has not publicly expressed his support.

The pair met on the set of the 2000 film Men Only and worked together on several projects including The Debt, The Good Night and The Robinsons.

Their on-screen chemistry was noticed when they played husband and wife, John and Mary Watson, in the BBC series Sherlock alongside Benedict Cumberbatch.

In a candid interview, Freeman suggested that it is difficult to remain faithful, saying, “I don’t think it’s realistic to assume that there won’t be other temptations — or that you won’t meet people who will turn your head.” At any given time in your life, there are several people you could enjoy having sex with.”

But the actor added: “I absolutely believe in monogamy. It’s hard to stick with one person, but I think it’s worth persevering.”

Initially, their split was kept private in 2016. But Ms Abbington later revealed it took a heavy toll on her mental health, leaving her feeling like a ‘mess’.

She said: ‘I broke up with Martin and then realized I had to sort myself out. I hated myself.’

She said her mantra was, “You can always kill yourself,” adding, “That was a real option for me a number of times. Then I don’t have to be such a bad person, because I don’t have to be here anymore.’

Ms Abbington went to therapy and five years later met her current partner Jonathan Goodwin. Tragically, the stunt performer was left paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair after a botched stunt on America’s Got Talent: Extreme. The couple are now engaged and Mrs Abbington says he has been her ‘rock’.

Although Ms Abbington has now insisted she hated her stint on Strictly and was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, Strictly insiders have told me she felt she was stepping back into the showbiz spotlight when she appeared in the last series.

After withdrawing from the competition, she starred in this year’s play When It Happens To You in north London, about a mother trying to keep her family together when her daughter is attacked.

The source said: ‘Amanda hoped continuing on Strictly would bring her joy. But that wasn’t to be.

‘A beautiful Strictly journey could have changed her life after years of pain.’

As for Pernice, who is now starring in the Italian dance competition Ballando con le Stelle, he may be wondering whether he has unjustly suffered collateral damage from Mrs. Abbington’s cursed private life.

“That certainly contains some truth,” said the BBC insider.