Giovanni Pernice crisis deepens as Laura Whitmore makes bombshell statement on BBC Strictly saga: 'Set record straight!'
BBC Strictly: Giovanni Pernice and Laura Whitmore were partnered together previously
BBC/PA
Laura Whitmore has released a lengthy statement today regarding the ongoing BBC Strictly investigation into the conduct of its professional dancers.
In this instance, Whitmore has published a post regarding her experience on the show where she was partnered with Giovanni Pernice.
Pernice, who's been axed from the show, has faced a series of "misconduct" allegations, spearheaded by his 2023 partner Amanda Abbington after she quit the series early last year.
Abbington raised concerns with the BBC about Pernice's behaviour a matter of days into her stint, she's claimed, as well as alleging the Italian dancer is "blocking" the release of incriminating footage from rehearsals and that he exhibited "humiliating behaviour of a sexual nature" during their time working together.
Pernice has vehemently denied any claim of "threatening or abusive" behaviour and after Abbington's bombshell interview with Channel 4 this week, a spokesperson said that the dancer is "confident that the review will prove" his innocence.
Whitmore, who once claimed to "cry every day" when she was on the show eight years ago, took to Instagram on Saturday to "set the record straight" on her experience after being called in by the BBC to assist with its ongoing investigation.
Amanda Abbington had been partnered with Giovanni Pernice during her time on Strictly BBCThe former Love Island host penned: "I was trying not to comment on recent press speculation until the BBC review is complete but feel there is a lot of misinformation in the press and I want to help and show support by setting the record straight."
She delved further: "I was asked to speak to the BBC along with six people that I know of (who deserve anonymity as they don't want to be dragged through the press), about inappropriate behaviour they experienced similar to mine with the same individual. I initially raised concerns back in 2016.
"I thought my experience was specific to me but I've since learned I was wrong.
"The aim of this is to show a pattern of behaviour that I believe needs to stop. My evidence is to support other people's experience."
Laura Whitmore has shared a statement regarding the Giovanni Pernice BBC Strictly saga
INSTAGRAM/LAURA WHITMORE
Referring to the complaints that have been lodged against Pernice, Whitmore continued: "It's a shame it takes this for someone to be heard.
"I am not looking for anything just an acceptance that what happened to me in the rehearsal rooms during my time on BBC Strictly was wrong and that it won't happen to anyone else again."
The presenter did clarify that she had not "made an official complaint" but was "providing evidence of my experience to support the investigation".
"Not all the communication will be passed on to all parties involved," she added.
Before signing off, Whitmore was keen to hit back at the number of claims published in newspapers this week and the vile trolling that the likes of Abbington and others have faced.
She concluded: "Misinformation is being put into the press so I want to set the record straight.
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"Victim blaming must stop or we will never get better. I've tried to speak up in the correct way.
"I know the BBC and all outlets continue to do their best to be better, but for that to happen we must speak up."
Pernice's team released a statement amid the ongoing investigation earlier this week which reads in full: "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 [Abbington'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."