EXCLUSIVEBBC bosses locked in Strictly crisis talks over fears of legal action following publication of investigation into Giovanni Pernice and Amanda Abbingtons Strictly experience
BBC bosses are full of ‘panic and worry’ regarding the publication of a report into Amanda Abbington and her former Strictly dance partner Giovanni Pernice, the Mail can reveal.
BBC bosses are full of ‘panic and worry’ regarding the publication of a report into Amanda Abbington and her former Strictly dance partner Giovanni Pernice, the Mail can reveal.
The actress has accused the dancer of bullying, which he denies. But there are concerns at the Corporation about how the two parties will react when the results of the investigation are revealed.
There have been high-level meetings among bosses as they navigate how to deliver their findings as they fear the looming possibility of legal action from either Ms Abbington, 52, or Mr Pernice if either is disappointed by the outcome.
One source told the Mail: ‘This is an absolute mess and the BBC don’t know what to do for the best.
Strictly Come Dancing judges (left to right) Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke
Giovanni Pernice, 34, joined Strictly in 2014 and became its longest-serving male professional before quitting in April
‘There is a lot of panic and worry that whoever it does go in favour of will really go for the BBC, so every single word of whatever is released doesn’t give anyone the chance to complain.
They literally don’t know what to do so it is being delayed and delayed. [Director-General] Tim Davie is a good guy but this is impossible to navigate.’
Sources at the BBC say that those fears have ‘superseded’ the worries about having the outcome hanging over the new Strictly Come Dancing series which starts on Saturday.
On Sunday Ms Abbington’s friends are said to have left the BBC furious with claims that they are ‘like a boys club’.
They also told of their fears that the verdict would not go her way and also claimed the result would be a ‘whitewash’.
Amanda Abbington made an official complaint to the BBC after hiring London law firm Carter-Ruck
BBC insiders say that Strictly is run entirely by women until it gets to Mr Davie’s level.
Charlotte Moore is chief content controller, Kate Phillips is head of unscripted, Kalpna Patel-Knight is head of entertainment and the executive producer is Sarah James.
Mr Pernice, 34, joined Strictly in 2014 and became its longest-serving male professional.
He quit in April after Ms Abbington made an official complaint to the BBC after hiring London law firm Carter-Ruck.
He then hired rival lawyers Schillings. He vehemently denies Ms Abbington’s claims.
