The BBC has confirmed it is investigating misconduct allegations against Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni Pernice, following reports that multiple women have complained about his behaviour.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the corporation said: "We take allegations of this nature very seriously and are taking the necessary steps to investigate the matter thoroughly. We will not comment further until the investigation is complete."
Background: Amanda Abbington's Withdrawal
The investigation follows the withdrawal of actress Amanda Abbington, Pernice's 2023 dance partner, from the competition last autumn. Abbington, known for her roles in Sherlock and Mr Selfridge, quit the show after five weeks, citing personal reasons at the time.
She later said she had experienced difficulties during rehearsals, though she did not publicly detail her concerns. In subsequent months, reports emerged that she had raised complaints about Pernice's conduct with BBC executives.
The Allegations
According to The Daily Mail, three women have now accused the Italian dancer of "threatening and abusive" behaviour. The newspaper alleged that the women reported the incidents to the BBC, prompting the formal investigation.
The timeline of the complaints remains unclear, and the identities of the two women besides Abbington have not been established.
Pernice's Response
Pernice has previously denied any wrongdoing. In a social media post earlier this year, he said he had been "cooperative and transparent" and looked forward to "clearing my name." Representatives for Pernice did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday.
Reaction and What's Next
Social media reaction has been divided, with some viewers calling for Pernice to be suspended from the upcoming series and others defending him pending the investigation's outcome.
The BBC has not confirmed whether Pernice, who has appeared on Strictly since 2015, will take part in the 2024 series while the investigation proceeds. The corporation's statement suggests no further public comment will be made until the process concludes.
