Amanda Abbington Opens Up About Strictly Scandal – ‘I’m Not Sure If People Like Me

Actress Amanda Abbington has admitted she's not sure how people feel about her following the Strictly Come Dancing scandal.

The Sherlock star, 51, left the BBC series in 2023 before accusing professional dance partner, Giovanni Pernice, 34, of bullying her in the rehearsal room. Amanda's complaints prompted an investigation by the broadcaster, which ended up largely exonerating the Italian from the actress' allegations.

However, the BBC did issue an apology to Amanda after confirming some of her accusations, including Giovanni's use of swear words and belittling language towards the mum-of-two.

Opening up about her life post Strictly after revealing she was sent multiple death threats and vile messages on social media during the furore, Amanda says she's been to feel like the "villain"'.

Amanda Abbington, quit Strictly Come Dancing in 2023 before accusing her professional dance partner, Giovanni Pernice, of bullying 

 

 

 

Giovanni admitted he would get 'frustrated' in rehearsals but that was only because he 'cared' 

Admitting she's not sure if she's been "cancelled" or if people 'like her anymore', she told The Times: “I was made out to be the villain. I don’t know what the industry thinks of me at the moment. I’ve been immersed in the aftermath of it all for a year. I don’t know whether I’ve been cancelled or whether people don’t like me any more, but I know I did what I did for the right reasons. I feel good about the future.”

Insisting the fallout following her complaints about Giovanni 'wasn't something she expecting', Amanda says part of the reason why she went public with her complaints because she was bullied as a child. She explained: "I’ve seen what happens when people are bullied and how introverted they become and how it can affect them. You see it on social media right now.”

Giovanni left Strictly after Amanda's complaints, but always insisted his innocence. Following the BBC's verdict about his conduct towards Amanda, he took to social media saying he was 'relieved' the ordeal was over.

Insisting he only ever wanted to get the best out of the actress on the dance floor, he said while rehearsing for the Italian version of Strictly, which he went on to win: "Hello everyone, it’s me. It’s over. It’s finished. Six months, seven months of all of this, seven months of reading everyday things in the newspaper and not being able to respond because I wanted to keep the confidentiality and the privacy of the review, was a difficult time.

"It was difficult because reading stuff that was untrue, wasn’t the nicest time of my life, let’s be honest. But today I’m happy because at the beginning there were very very serious allegations thrown out at me but as of today, none of the serious allegations have been upheld.

"And today is a day when we can all reflect because I appreciate that dancing is a very difficult thing to do. It’s a sport, it’s something that is difficult in every possible way and sometimes you get frustrated as a teacher, as a dancer, as a performer, but the only reason why you get frustrated is because you care about what you do."