Amanda Abbington details first three-word complaint to BBC as she makes apology demand to broadcaster
Amanda Abbginton claimed she had raised concerns with the BBC just three days into training with Giovanni Pernice
Channel 4/BBC
Amanda Abbington has disclosed the first messages of concern she claims to have raised to Strictly Come Dancing producers just "three days" into her first rehearsals.
Abbington, 52, has begun to make television appearances to speak about the BBC probe - which was launched as a result of complaints she made regarding her dance partner Giovanni Pernice's alleged "aggressive and bullying" behaviour.
In her latest interview with ITV - less than 24 hours after her bombshell interview with Channel 4 aired - she described her treatment on the show by Pernice as "inappropriate, mean, nasty" and "bullying".
"I put up with it for five weeks - it started very early on," she claimed before detailing the first complaint she made to producers on the show in which she wrote the three words: "He hates me".
Speaking to Christine Lampard on Lorraine on Thursday, she continued: "When it started I would shut down because I recognise those red flags."
Detailing how she allegedly raised concerns very soon into her stint on the show, she claimed: "I've got texts to the producers going, 'This is awful, he hates me - I don't know what I'm doing wrong.'
Amanda Abbington has opened up on her alleged Strictly Come Dancing experience
BBC
She added: "I know what rehearsal rooms are supposed to be like. And I don't care what your background is in, whether that's dance or not - you have a duty of care for compassion, sensitivity and kindness, and that wasn't extended to me."
When asked if the experience - including the shocking trolling she's received as a result of the saga - has altered how she lives her life, the actress claimed it had massively impacted her.
"I go outside worrying, I had messages saying, 'Watch your back for going after Giovanni,' which I wasn't," the actress replied.
She continued: "I don't go out much and when I do I feel very vulnerable and exposed."
Giovanni Pernice will not return to Strictly Come Dancing following the claims
Getty
Touching on what she would like to happen, Abbington listed her demands: "I'd like an apology [from the BBC]."
She continued: "I'd like this not to happen to people working in that corporation again."
Pernice has continued to deny the accusations made against him, with a spokesperson for the dancer stating: "We are cooperating fully with the BBC’s review process. All parties have been asked to respect this process and to not speak to the media before it concludes.
"We will continue to respect the integrity of the investigation and believe it is the right forum for all the evidence to be reviewed."
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Amanda Abbington made a swift exit from last year's Strictly Come Dancing as she opted to leave the show on week five of the competition
BBC
It continued: "As part of the evidence-led review, the BBC has shared the allegations they have been able to substantiate with us. They do not resemble Amanda’s latest allegations, given to Channel 4, in any shape or form.
"Giovanni refutes any claim of threatening or abusive behaviour, and having provided the BBC with his evidence, is confident that the review will prove this.
"We would urge people to wait for the review’s conclusion and not to pay heed to these very serious and defamatory allegations that have no evidence in support of them."
It follows Abbington's bombshell Channel 4 interview on Wednesday night, in which she opened up for the first time on screens about her alleged experience.
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