Amanda Abbington ‘is questioned for a second time’ by the BBC over her claims Giovanni Pernice made crude remarks amid Strictly misconduct probe
Amanda Abbington has reportedly been questioned for the second time by BBC bosses over “crude comments” she claims were made by Giovanni Pernice.
The 50-year-old Sherlock star was reportedly questioned via video call last week as she spoke to two former Met detectives about her allegations against the 33-year-old professional dancer.
They reportedly discussed allegations of sexual comments during rehearsals, as well as “new evidence.” Giovanni has denied all allegations against him.
“The BBC is taking this extremely seriously. Giovanni insists he has done nothing wrong, and Amanda insists everything she has told the BBC is true,” a source said The Sun.
‘Whatever decision the BBC makes, it is unlikely to be the end of the matter.’
Amanda Abbington has reportedly been questioned for the second time by BBC bosses over ‘crude comments’ she claims were made by Giovanni Pernice
The 50-year-old Sherlock star was reportedly questioned via video call last week when she sat down with two former Met detectives to discuss her allegations about the professional dancer, 33.
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Amanda, Giovanni and the BBC for comment.
Amanda has made a series of allegations about Giovanni’s teaching methods and has described his behavior as “unnecessary, insulting, cruel and mean.” He strongly denies all allegations.
In an interview, Amanda compared the dance show to “the trenches” and told Channel 4 News that BBC producers were “appalled” by clips that allegedly included “degrading sexual behaviour”.
In another interview with Christine Lampard about Lorraine, she said: ‘It was inappropriate, mean, unkind, bullying and I put up with it for five, six weeks.
‘It started very early and when it started I shut down because I recognized the warning signs.
‘And then I would shut down and it would be hard to get in. And that would be a self-fulfilling prophecy.’
Of her schedule for the show, she said, “I went to the rehearsal space every day. I’ve been in rehearsal spaces for 32 years.
‘I know what rehearsal spaces should look like.
In an interview Amanda compared the dance show to ‘the trenches’. Giovanni has denied all the claims
“No matter what your background is – whether it’s dancing, acting or singing – you have an obligation to bring compassion, understanding, sensitivity and kindness to the rehearsal room.
‘And I wasn’t told that (on Strictly). So I just said I don’t think that’s right.’
The latest update comes just after police visited Amanda’s home amid an ongoing investigation into a chilling death threat made against the actress.
On Friday afternoon, Met detectives were alerted to a threatening email sent to the north London theatre where Amanda is performing.
The actress stars in the new play When It Happens To You at the Park Theatre in Finsbury.
The terrifying email warned her to “be prepared to die on stage” unless she withdrew her complaint about her former Strictly partner Giovanni.
Park Theatre quickly alerted police, who took the threat “very seriously” and worked to “unmask” the person who sent it.
The Sherlock actress has now been questioned twice by officers and the house where she lives with her fiancé Jonathan Goodwin has been visited by police.
The actress stars in the new play When It Happens To You at the Park Theatre in Finsbury
While the Met Police have not yet officially revealed who is involved in the investigation, a spokesperson confirmed that officers were called to a theatre in Finsbury Park ‘after receiving an alleged malicious communication.’
The spokesperson continued: “No arrests have been made, the investigation is ongoing.”
A source close to the investigation told MailOnline: ‘Specialist officers have been closely examining the email over the past 72 hours and believe they are now close to identifying where it came from.
‘They are now working with another force, hoping that this will lead them to the person behind the threat.
‘Officers have told Amanda they will do everything they can to find out who the person behind the email is.
“They are treating it as a very serious and very credible threat and want to unmask the person behind it.”