Actress Amanda Abbington has said the BBCs report into her claims of bullying on Strictly is a vindication of her complaint as the corporation apologised to her today.
Her professional dancing partner Giovanni Pernice said he was pleased after he was cleared of threatening and abusive behaviour towards Ms Abbington, but some of her complaints were upheld.
After six months of investigating the Sherlock actresss claims that he was abusive, cruel and mean they have finally found he was not abusive, nor did he make threats.
They also said there was no aggressive or physical conduct, but the corporation has issued an apology to Ms Abbington after finding in her favour on a number of allegations concerning verbal bullying and harassment.
Out of 17 allegations, they upheld six, some of which are for Giovanni using swear words. The report found that his language could be belittling.
The BBC also agreed with Ms Abbington that at times he appeared to be giving her overly negative feedback.
BBC chiefs have unveiled the findings from their six-month investigation into Amanda Abbington s explosive allegations that her Strictly partner Giovanni bullied her in training
In one interview, Ms Abbington, 50, compared the dance show to the trenches and claimed BBC producers had been left horrified by clips that allegedly exhibited humiliating behaviour of a sexual nature
Her former partner Giovanni Pernice, 37, quit the BBCs show but is now starring in the Italian version, Ballando con le Stelle
It also concluded that there were two moments of inappropriate behaviour of sexual banter in the workplace which were found to be made and received as jokes and compliments of Ms Abington dancing. The review has found this was a two-way, consensual way of talking and behaving.
However, her complaint that he sent her a video on WhatsApp which she deemed to be inappropriate was not upheld. The BBC did not find anything sexually inappropriate.
Ms Abbington said: Despite this vile abuse, Ive never regretted coming forward, and todays apology from the BBC is a vindication of my complaint. Its not just a vindication for me, its a vindication for the other people who have contacted me since I made my complaint to express concerns about their own experiences on Strictly Come Dancing.
I hope those who have felt unable to speak out now will be more confident that they will be listened to and believed.
She added that she is considering a proposal from the BBC to meet with senior management.
Ms Abbington also said: This apology means a great deal to me. So too does the fact that the BBC have acknowledged the steps that were put in place to support and protect me and past contestants were not enough.
What matters most now is that lessons have been learned and that the BBC makes the changes theyve promised, to ensure others dont experience the same ordeal that I and others like me did.
The UK show returned on September 14 for its 20th anniversary with a new cast of celebrities, and some changes including having chaperones present at all times during rehearsals.
Meanwhile in a written statement, a spokesperson for Giovanni Pernice said: We are pleased that this six-month review has not found any evidence of threatening or abusive behaviour by Giovanni.
Giovanni is relieved that the overwhelming majority of allegations out to the BBC have not been upheld and looks forward to continuing his work on Dancing With The Stars in Italy this season.
A source close to Italian star Mr Pernice said: Gio is pleased that this has been thrown out after what has been a torrid nine months or so for him.
From the outset, Giovanni has rejected any claims of threatening or abusive behaviour. While he appreciates that the BBC has likely decided to uphold some allegations to avoid the accusations of a whitewash – theyve upheld the weakest allegations put to him.
Sources have told MailOnline Ms Abbingtons bullying claims amounted to Giovanni swearing at her and not giving her enough feedback during their rehearsal sessions which took place last autumn. She also claimed that her partner stepped on her toe.
One said: Giovanni has never tried to say he isnt a hard taskmaster but he isnt a bully and no evidence of that was found.
It was an evidence based investigation and there was simply no evidence to back up what she was saying about Giovanni. He denied it all along and he has now been exonerated.
Sources close to the Sicilian heart-throb Giovanni say that he spent much time trying to counsel Amanda, who would admit herself that she was a nightmare.
The Sherlock actress, pictured last week, complained about her treatment on the show, with other celebrities coming forward
The BBC has been conducting a probe after Ms Abbington, 50, quit the 2023 series after just five weeks before making the allegations
Gio tried to find common ground with Amanda all of the time, said one. She admitted herself she was difficult, Gio tried his best to navigate and when she quit for medical reasons he still helped her after that.
The last nine months have taken their toll on Giovanni, he has kept going though. As he says, his Strictly career in the UK might be over but his dancing one isnt. He will keep going, he has done nothing wrong.
It all seems such a huge waste of time, it is hard to see what this has all achieved.
Giovanni quit Strictly last April after the BBC said it was launching the inquiry. He had been offered a new contract to star in the 2024 series - the 20th anniversary - and was set to sign it.
He is currently appearing on the Italian version of the show, Ballando con le Stelle, in which he is partnered with singer and actress Bianca Guaccero.
His appearance came after BBC bosses endorsed their former star to take part in the Italian version of Strictly despite Amandas claims he bullied her.
As the deadline for him to sign to appear on Ballando con le Stelle drew closer chiefs intervened and endorsed Mr Pernice to join as a professional dancer on the show.
There were fears that bosses of the Italian series, which his filmed in Rome, would not hire him amid the allegations.
Speaking today, the chief content officer at the BBC said a number of complaints under its bullying and harassment policy were upheld, but said she was unable to go into further detail on the allegations made by Amanda Abbington about the actresss time on Strictly Come Dancing.
Charlotte Moore told the BBC: There were a number of complaints under our bullying and harassment policy, and a number of those complaints have been upheld. Not all of them, but a number of them have been upheld.
Im not able to go into further detail on that, and there are very good reasons for that.
Its probably worth me just laying out the confidentiality of a complaints process, which I think is absolutely integral to the complaints process, and confidentiality needs to be respected out of fairness to everybody involved.
But of course, were also trying to balance that with the desire to be open and to be transparent about the way our complaints processes work - and obviously in this case, theres been lots of media speculation and lots of interest.
So I think its really important that were as open and transparent as we can be about that process, which is why weve issued the statement.
In its statement, the broadcaster said: The BBC has now concluded its review into the complaints made by Amanda Abbington against Giovanni Pernice.
We take any allegations of bullying and harassment very seriously and this review has taken time due to its complex nature and our desire to ensure a rigorous and robust process was undertaken.
Strictly Come Dancing is a family show and we rightly expect very high standards. While competition can be tough, rigorous and demanding, we want the show to ultimately be a joyous and transformative experience.
Strictly bosses have introduced tough anti-bullying rules by instructing new chaperones to call a helpline if they spot any abusive behaviour on this years show
It is a great shame if this hasnt been the case for everyone who has appeared on the show.
We have assessed the complaints and we have upheld some, but not all, of the complaints made.
We want to apologise to Amanda Abbington and to thank her for coming forward and taking part. We know this would not have been an easy thing to do.
At the time, although the production team took steps to address the issues as they understood them, ultimately these were not enough.
This is why the measures we have taken to further strengthen our existing protocols are so important.
The BBC heard from a number of individuals in making its findings. We want to thank them for participating.
The BBC has already taken extensive steps to enhance our duty of care for everyone on the show and a full note of these steps is published alongside this statement.
After the UKs current series got underway earlier this month, the BBC has been keen to focus on its enhanced welfare measures introduced this year, including dedicated staff members to support contestants and chaperones placed in all training rooms.
But the long-running saga is not at an end and is thought to have impacted ratings, with the shows first live episode receiving the fewest viewers in its 20-year history.
Professional dancer Graziano Di Prima was sacked after BBC staffers revealed they had seen footage of him kicking celebrity partner Zara McDermott
Fellow Italian dancer Graziano Di Prima was sacked from the programme after he was accused of kicking and spitting at Zara McDermott
Ex Strictly star Will Bayley has claimed that he couldnt walk for six months after his injury on the show and has insisted that the BBC should apologise for his experience on the scandal-hit programme
A resurfaced clip aired during that years live shows has shown the devastating moment Will was curled up on the floor in pain after the jump
This year the corporation is clamping down on pairs practicing outside of their capped training hours, but has so far avoided mentioning the ongoing scandals plaguing it.
Ms Abbington left Strictly abruptly last year just five weeks in citing personal issues before accusing Mr Pernice, 34, of bullying her during her time on the show.
A probe into the actresss misconduct claims has taken six months and was finally completed in the last few weeks, before being published today. Both Mr Pernice and Ms Abbington were made aware of its findings before its release.
It was previously reported Mr Pernices former dance partners were contacted as part of the investigation and asked to give their own accounts of their time on Strictly Come Dancing.
BBC executives had hoped this would draw a line under the matter but insiders say the corporation is terrified that any party dissatisfied by the outcome could sue.
A source told the Sun: Whatever the outcome, neither Giovanni nor Amanda are likely to be happy so the BBC are bracing themselves for potential appeals.
Amanda and Giovanni have very well-paid lawyers who will study every cough and spit of the report before advising them on what to do next.
It comes after it was revealed reality star Ms McDermott, 27, who appeared on the same series as Ms Abbington, was subjected to verbal and physical abuse by her own partner, Graziano Di Prima.
After allegations emerged that Mr Di Prima had kicked the former Love Island contestant in training, alongside other claims of abuse, the professional dancer admitted the incident and said he had made a mistake. He was removed from the show.
In a statement, Ms McDermott said she was involved in incidents she now finds incredibly distressing to watch back, and told the BBC the kick was not a singular incident.
It recently emerged Zara performed on the show with a fractured leg following an injury in training and needed painkillers to get through ten-hour rehearsals.
Mr Di Prima denied separate reports that he had spat on Ms McDermott during her time on the show.
Table tennis Paralympian Will Bayley also spoke out about suffering a lifelong injury after being allegedly forced to redo a jump he was concerned about, despite warning bosses of the impact of his disability upon joining the show.
Mr Bayley, 36, who most recently represented Team GB in Paris, revealed he was left unable to walk for six months and demanded an apology from BBC bosses.
He claimed his dance partner Janette Manrara dismissed his first attempt at the jump as rubbish and demanded he tried it again, at which point he heard his leg crack.
The athlete accused the BBC of putting him through the traumatic incident and said he was then made to feel like he was making a mountain out of a molehill when he complained.
But he said he did not blame Ms Manrara for his injury at all, instead calling for better support for people with disabilities who are asked to take part in the show. The pair have remained friends since their partnership and Mr Bayley has described her as his rock.
An unnamed female professional dancer has also been accused of screaming in their partners face off-camera.
Insiders and previous contestants have painted a picture of extreme pressure and an intense competitive nature on the show, with professionals keen to win the glitterball trophy.
Strictly bosses have introduced tough anti-bullying rules by instructing new chaperones to call a helpline if they spot any abusive behaviour on this years show
Steve Backshall complained to the BBC about his professional partner on Strictly Come Dancing Ola Jordan back in 2014 claiming she bullied him
The recent allegations are not the first to tarnish the shows reputation.
Steve Backshall complained to the BBC about his professional partner on Strictly Come Dancing Ola Jordan back in 2014 claiming she bullied him.
The hardened explorer and presenter, now 51, - who has dived with Great White sharks and wrestled poisonous snakes in his career - lodged a complaint with the channel after struggling in gruelling practice sessions.
The bullying claims have reemerged during a time of crisis for the show amid various abuse scandals and a misconduct probe - with insiders now saying that the series is fatally tarnished.
After he made the complaint the pair were assigned a chaperone to follow them around after he refused to be alone with the now 41-year-old Polish-born dancer.
The programmes bosses were forced to step in after he alleged that she had dented his confidence with her rude and impatient manner.
Ms Jordans husband James, who was also a professional on the show, was also the subject of controversy after unearthed footage emerged of him telling his partner Georgina Bouzova he would drag her across the floor and scream at her if she forgot her moves.
The clip, which was filmed during the fourth series back in 2006, shows him rehearsing with actress Georgina.
He also says to her kill you as he demands she stands on one leg and insists that unless she has physically broken a rib he doesnt care what pain she is in. He is also seen throwing a chair across the training studio.
But he has since responded to the clip on his Instagram as he shared a raging statement saying that the footage was edited for entertainment and was highly produced and exaggerated.
Although no mention has been made of the controversies on this series so far, the return of Slovenian dancer Aljaž Škorjanec, 34, raised eyebrows among the cast and crew before the first episode even aired.
Two years after his exit, a source told the Sun Aljaž departed the show after an alleged shocking incident with a fellow female professional dancer on the nationwide tour.
They claimed the crew and cast were relieved to see his departure two years ago and are now aghast to see him back.
They revealed he allegedly got very drunk on a night out on tour two years ago which led him being involved in a very serious, pretty shocking altercation with a female.
The incident was said to have made the female dancer feel deeply uncomfortable.
Aljažs scene has been reportedly discussed backstage at length since and the decision to bring him back has baffled the crew.
Execs would have to be living in a cave not to have heard the rumours, the source added.