Amanda Abbington's tell-tale sign she was 'afraid' around Giovanni Pernice, according to expert

A body language expert has nalysed the Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice's body language from their last interview

BBC
Olivia Gantzer

By Olivia Gantzer


Published: 27/06/2024

- 14:09

Updated: 27/06/2024

- 14:12

Giovanni Pernice has left the BBC series following the accusations

Amanda Abbington was "fearful" around Giovanni Pernice during their feud on Strictly Come Dancing, a body language expert has claimed.

Speaking exclusively to GB News, body language expert Darren Stanton has given his verdict on Abbington and Pernice's final televised interview together before the duo famously pulled out of Strictly Come Dancing, sparking one of the biggest scandals to hit the show.


In their Strictly spin-off show It Takes Two appearance, Abbington, 52, and Pernice, 33, appear uncomfortable.

At the time, rumours of a feud between the two were swirling, and shortly after, Sherlock star Abbington decided to pull out of the competition.

Since then, the two have continued to hit headlines after Abbington claimed she was diagnosed with PTSD following her stint on the show, later claiming the Italian dancer was "abusive" and "militant" during training.

After analysing the footage of their final, awkward interview, Stanton claimed: "There were a couple of times where she flashed a fear micro-expression, where the eyes go wide and the mouth opens up."

Giovanni Pernice and Rose Ayling-Ellis

Pernice won the 2021 series alongside actress Ayling-Ellis

Getty

He continued: "But it's so fast, you have to do a frame-by-frame to see it.

"So she flashed some fear responses, not because she was afraid in that moment, but she'd broken that rapport with him or that level of connection that they once had was gone.

"And once the genie is out of the bottle, you can't really put it back in there."

Continuing, Stanton also revealed: "So the first thing I noticed was that a lot of the smiles that she was giving to the interviewer were fake.

Giovanni Pernice and Amanda Abbington

Abbington decided to leave the show in week five

BBC

"They weren't the crow's feet, the three lines at the side of the eyes you get with a normal, genuine smile, where the whole face will be engaged.

"Whereas what tends to happen with a fake smile, which is the most faked emotion, is the crow's feet won't be there, and then you only really see it in the bottom half of the face."

Pernice, who won the competition in 2021 alongside EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis, has been "axed" from the show following the controversies.

After months of speculation, the BBC announced earlier this month that Pernice will not be returning for this year's Strictly Come Dancing.

Amanda and Giovanni

The pair appeared awkward in their last interview together

BBC

Pernice has continued to deny accusations made but Abbington's claims were reportedly backed by other previous partners Pernice had starred on the show with.

Strictly judge Shirley Ballas, 63, recently commented on the dancer's exit from the show.

Stating "the truth will come out," the head judge went on to tell The Mirror: "I know he is a hard worker.

"He wants the people to do the very best that they can do. Obviously, in my life, I was bullied a lot.

"I don't condone bullying on any path but also I don't believe gossip and what you read in the newspapers because things get escalated and they are blown way out of all proportion and it can turn into a great big snowball."

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