BBC takes drastic action to tackle ‘abusive behaviour’ after Strictly probe

The BBC has committed to tackling ‘abusive behaviour’ head-on pursuing contention astir Strictly Come Dancing aft respective complaints were filed against nonrecreational dancers.

Following 20 bid connected air, the deed creation amusement became engulfed successful ungraded earlier this twelvemonth erstwhile Amanda Abbington, 50, made a bid of damning allegations against her erstwhile pro partner, Giovanni Pernice, 34.

A probe was past launched, with Giovanni fto spell from the line-up arsenic good arsenic Graziano Di Prima aft helium was accused of kicking Love Island’s Zara McDermott during training.

Both Italian dancers denied the accusations made, with a lengthy interior probe concluding past week and upholding respective complaints against Giovanni, but clearing him of the astir superior ‘physical aggression’ allegations.

In airy of the work of the findings, aft which Giovanni thanked fans for their support, the BBC has contiguous launched a probe into its ‘workplace culture’.

It besides comes aft the likes of Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh complained astir Giovanni’s grooming methods, portion the BBC was besides thrown into situation past twelvemonth erstwhile Huw Edwards admitted possessing indecent images of children.

Vowing to ace down connected ‘abuse of power’, BBC Chair Samir Shah said: ‘I cannot emphasise capable that I americium afloat committed to tackling inappropriate oregon abusive behaviour.

‘For astir of us, it is simply a joyousness to enactment for the BBC, and that should beryllium the lawsuit for everyone.

‘Nobody moving successful the BBC should ever consciousness fearfulness oregon interest portion moving here.

‘What is wide to maine is that we indispensable guarantee the BBC is simply a safe, secure, and welcoming workplace for everyone.’

The BBC’s enquiry strives to ‘ensure the consequences of inappropriate behaviour and maltreatment of powerfulness are understood by everyone’.

A study is expected to beryllium published adjacent spring.

After months of investigating and reviewing hundreds of hours of grooming footage, the BBC recovered earlier this period that six retired of 17 complaints against Giovanni were to beryllium upheld.

These included swearing astatine Amanda and utilizing ‘belittling’ connection during his feedback.

Additionally, the study recovered that determination were 2 instances of ‘inappropriate behaviour of intersexual banter successful the workplace’.

Despite the unprofessional NSFW remarks, Giovanni was cleared of reportedly sending Amanda an inappropriate WhatsApp video.

Furthermore, it was concluded that Giovanni was not threatening, intimidating, oregon abusive towards Sherlock prima Amanda, who has been vocal astir the lasting interaction her stint connected Strictly has had.

The TV prima has said she present has post-traumatic accent upset (PTSD) and has received some decease and rape threats directed astatine her and her household online.

After the findings were revealed, Amanda said she was ‘relieved’ erstwhile a crab scare forced her to discontinue the contention mid-way through.

She said uncovering the 2 lumps successful her breast, which turned retired to beryllium benign, was the ‘catalyst’ she had been waiting for to propulsion retired of the toxic situation.

Meanwhile, Giovanni present stars arsenic a nonrecreational connected the Italian mentation of Strictly, wherever helium has been topping the leaderboard and proven a deed with the judges.

Speaking retired aft helium was cleared of the bulk of career-threatening accusations against him, the TV prima – who archetypal joined Strictly successful 2015 – admitted it had been a ‘difficult’ clip for him.

After Amanda received a ceremonial apology from the BBC, Giovanni – who lifted the glitterball with Rose Ayling-Ellis successful 2021 – said helium was blessed to beryllium carrying connected ‘doing what [he] was calved to do’, which is ‘entertaining’.

With the backing of galore erstwhile co-stars and longtime Strictly pals, helium past announced a 2025 circuit alongside justice and adjacent person Anton Du Beke, who has publically stood by Giovanni successful caller months.

Strictly Come Dancing continues time astatine 6:20pm connected BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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