Giovanni Pernice 'has evidence' that 'proves' Amanda Abbington bombshell BBC Strictly claims are 'a lie', reports

Following a months-long saga in which Sherlock star Abbington, 52, claimed 33-year-old Pernice had "bullied" her, causing her to drop out of the BBC show after five weeks in last year's series, an investigation into the show has dominated headlines.

The actress broke her silence on TV for the first time on Wednesday when she appeared in a tell-all Channel 4 interview.

More shocking allegations came to light as she tearfully claimed there were instances of "sexual bullying" from the Italian choreographer.

Journalist and fellow 2023 Strictly star Krishnan Guru-Murthy, who was conducting the bombshell interview, mentioned he had heard some of the behaviour reported related to a "sexual nature".

"Yeah," she replied, adding: "I mean, you know - one of the many things." She explained she couldn't divulge the details due to the active nature of the current probe.

She went on to delve into other alleged instances of "abusive" behaviour and the following day appeared on ITV's Lorraine, claiming she has text messages reporting her concerns to BBC producers after just "three days" of rehearsals with Pernice.

The new claims have thrown the show further into chaos and Pernice's representatives initially responded: "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.

"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."

Now, it's been reported a source close Pernice's team has told the Daily Mail: "Gio is so cross. He just can't work out why she would come out and say these things.

"She didn't give any further detail, it's like she drops a bomb and then doesn't follow it through. The verdict is just days away now, it's the home straight for him but he is absolutely determined to clear his name.

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"He and his team are adamant that there is something concrete which will prove that Amanda is telling lies.

"He can't wait for the truth to come out, it will be a huge relief for him. Giovanni is not going to let this go. It is basically war now. He will clear his name with all the evidence he has."

While Abbington declined to comment in response to the hit-back, a source close to the actress told GB News: "She knows she did the right thing by coming forward, and will be closely watching the outcome of the BBC inquiry.

"Amanda spoke out not just for herself but for others who she knows are afraid to talk about their own experiences on the show."

GB News has contacted Giovanni Pernice's representatives for comment.