Amanda Abbington's parents make major admission amid Giovanni Pernice scandal: 'Feel sorry for HIM'
Amanda Abbington's mum and dad have spoken publicly about the BBC Strictly saga with Giovanni Pernice
CHANNEL 4/ITV/PA
Amanda Abbington's mother and father have spoken out publicly for the first time about their daughter's experience on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing.
The actress is at the centre of an investigation currently unfolding at the Beeb after she lodged complaints and raised concerns about the conduct of professional dancer, Giovanni Pernice.
33-year-old Pernice has since been axed from the show following the complaints made against him and Abbington decided to detail some of the claims publicly during an interview with Channel 4 this week.
Abbington claimed Pernice is "blocking" the release of "50 hours" of incriminating footage from the rehearsal room to her lawyers as well as claiming he exhibited "humiliating behaviour of a sexual nature" towards her.
Pernice has vehemently denied the claims and any suggestion of "threatening or abusive" behaviour but faced further scrutiny on Saturday when another of his ex-partners, Laura Whitmore, issued a statement claiming six other people had issued similar complaints as part of the Beeb's investigation.
While siding with their daughter throughout the entire saga, Abbington's mum and dad, John, 77, and Patsy, 75, have claimed that if it wasn't the Sherlock star at the centre of the chaos, they would feel sympathy towards Pernice.
Amanda Abbington dished out new allegations while speaking to Channel 4
CHANNEL 4
Abbington's father told the Daily Mail: "I'd feel sorry for him if Amanda wasn't the one involved in this.
"Like other dancers on Strictly he was put in a situation where he was expected to train people when he'd not been taught how to train. They were let out of dance school at a young age.
"Giovanni started at Strictly at 21 or 22. How on earth can you train people when you've not been trained to do that?"
His wife and Abbington's mother reportedly concurred with her other half, telling the publication: "We just want it dealt with."
Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice competed in the 2023 series of Strictly
BBCThe investigation is said to be nearing its climax and its results and findings could come to light within the coming days.
Abbington made two tearful TV appearances this week, one with Channel 4 and another on ITV's Lorraine, and is poised to join the Loose Women panel next week too.
Her parents admit they spend their days now "worrying" about the entire ordeal, claiming their daughter has transformed from a "lively, bubbly person" to the opposite.
Abbington has deleted all semblance of social media presence but her fiancé Jonathan Goodwin still has his Instagram active where he recently revealed the vile attacks he and his partner are subjected to.
Pernice has vowed to clear his name and following Abbington's sit-down interview with Krishnan Guru-Murthy on Channel 4, he sternly refuted her claims.
A spokesperson for the dancer told GB News after the interview: "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.
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"We will continue to respect the integrity of the investigation and believe it is the right forum for all the evidence to be reviewed.
"As part of the evidence-led review, the BBC has shared the allegations and there are none, nor any evidence, that resembles Amanda Abbington’s numerous and variable allegations.
"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."
Pernice isn't the only Strictly star to have found himself at the centre of a row over their conduct as fellow Italian dancer Graziano Di Prima was sacked after "kicking" his 2023 partner Zara McDermott in the training room.
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