Strictly’s Giovanni Pernice ‘wanted training with Amanda Abbington to be recorded because he feared she would be trouble’ after becoming concerned about her ‘unstable behaviour’
Giovanni Pernice asked BBC executives to film all his training and rehearsals with his Strictly Come Dancing partner Amanda Abbington after he became concerned about her ‘unstable behaviour’.
The Mail on Sunday can reveal that the under-fire professional dancer approached bosses in week two of the series after Ms Abbington’s behavior left him ‘concerned’.
All footage was reviewed daily by Strictly chiefs, who deemed no action inappropriate.
The revelation comes days after Mr Pernice, 33, launched his fight against claims from Ms Abbington, 52, and two other Strictly partners over his treatment of them.
The under-fire professional dancer approached bosses in week two of the series after Ms Abbington’s behavior left him ‘concerned’. Mr Pernice is pictured with Amanda Abbington, his dance partner on the BBC show
Mr Pernice is represented by Joelle Rich, 41, (pictured) a partner at London-based law firm Schillings. She is the same lawyer Johnny Depp had in his libel battle against The Sun in 2020. Pictured is Johnny Depp and Ms Rich together.
Mr Pernice, 33, launched his battle against claims from Ms Abbington, 52, and two other Strictly partners over his treatment of them
Last night a source close to Mr Pernice told the MoS: ‘Gio found the situation very disturbing so he asked for all sessions to be recorded. It was completely unprecedented, but Gio started to see things in Amanda’s behavior and wanted to make sure he was protected. What a relief he was.”
Last November, Ms Abbington, who left the series early, asked the BBC for the footage after claiming she had suffered post-traumatic stress disorder following her stint on Strictly. It is understood that she leaked this detail to the press, but there was no mention that it was Mr. Pernice who requested that their training be recorded. A friend of the dancer added: ‘You couldn’t have made it up.’
Ms Abbington is said to have met with two of Pernice’s former Strictly partners, Good Morning Britain presenter Ranvir Singh and former Love Island presenter Laura Whitmore, to discuss his behaviour.
It can also be revealed that Mr Pernice is represented by Joelle Rich, 41, a partner at London-based law firm Schillings.
She is the same lawyer Johnny Depp had in his libel battle against The Sun in 2020.
Ms Abbington is said to have met with two of Pernice’s former Strictly partners, Good Morning Britain presenter Ranvir Singh and former Love Island presenter Laura Whitmore, to discuss his behaviour.
Ms Abbington later leaked to The Sun newspaper that Mr Pernice left her with a bruised foot during training
Last week, Mr Pernice insisted he would clear his name after instructing Schillings, who also represented the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
A source said: ‘Joelle is one of the best trial lawyers in the country and will faithfully defend Gio.’
Last week Pernice insisted he would clear his name after instructing Schillings, who also represented the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. They will be up against another London law firm, Carter Ruck, which is acting for Ms Abbington and two other women. Carter Ruck said “numerous serious complaints [were] submitted to the BBC, who are now gathering evidence.’
But Ms Abbington later leaked to The Sun newspaper that Mr Pernice left her with a bruised foot during training. Friends of Pernice hit back, saying: ‘The only substantive accusation is that he stepped on someone’s toes – an occupational hazard whether you dance professionally or at a wedding.’ A celebrity who appeared on Strictly last night said: ‘Everyone who takes part comes home with bruises.’