Amanda Abbington FINALLY given big pay out over her Strictly rehearsals bullying ordeal after four years of agony

THE BBC has paid out a substantial sum to Amanda Abbington after she made a legal complaint about her Strictly Come Dancing ­bullying ordeal. The actress, 53, received a five-figure out-of-court settlement from BBC Studios and a contribution to her legal fees after her allegations of mistreatment by professional dance partner Giovanni Pernice. The BBC has paid out a substantial sum to Amanda Abbington after she made a legal complaint about her Strictly Come Dancing ­bullying ordeal Credit: Louis Wood Amanda received a five-figure out-of-court settlement from BBC Studios after her allegations of mistreatment by professional dance partner Giovanni Pernice Credit: PA The agreement — struck nearly three years after her time on the hit show — means the BBC has avoided having to deal with a potential court battle over a ­personal injury claim for loss of earnings and damages. Amanda, a mother of two, was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder. Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! The Sherlock star left the BBC1 show in week five of the series in October 2023, citing personal and medical reasons. She later revealed that her Strictly nightmare with Italian ­Giovanni, 35, got so bad that she was relieved when a cancer scare meant she could quit the show. The following year the BBC started an investigation into the pro dancer’s behaviour and he was later axed from the show. A source said: “Amanda’s friends and family are all relieved for her that this ordeal is finally over. It’s been a long, hard journey, but now she can close this chapter and move on with her life. “The fact the BBC have compensated Amanda as well as previously publicly apologising really proves that they are taking responsibility for the bullying she suffered on set. “She hopes that this case will give others strength and encourage people to speak up.” Most read in TV Amanda, a mother of two, was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder Credit: Pixel8000 Amanda revealed that her Strictly nightmare with ­Giovanni got so bad that she was relieved when a cancer scare meant she could quit the show Credit: BBC It comes after the BBC upheld some of Amanda’s specific complaints and apologised to the actress in September 2024 after a five-month BBC inquiry into bullying claims. At the time, a spokesman for the BBC said: “The BBC has now concluded its review. 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 it to ultimately be a joyous and transformative experience. “It is a great shame if this hasn’t been the case for everyone who has appeared on the show. We have assessed the complaints and we have upheld some, but not all. “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.” In the inquiry, Giovanni admitted making “vegetable” and “lazy” comments to Amanda during training but said they were about her body posture so it was not upheld to be bullying. Cameras were put in their rehearsal room in Barnet, North London, after Amanda raised concerns by day three of their training. Amanda said when Giovanni was pleased with her dancing, he would make lewd comments Credit: Louis Wood Cameras were put in their rehearsal room in Barnet, North London, after Amanda raised concerns by day three of their training Credit: GC Images The BBC report upheld that ­Giovanni’s language and his tone was “belittling, dismissive and insulting” in a way that was disproportionate and unmerited. Amanda said when Giovanni was pleased with her dancing, he would make lewd comments. She added: “He actually said, ‘You’re a 51-year-old menopausal woman but I’d still f**k you’.” Amanda also recalled how Giovanni would grab his penis when she danced well. She said: “He would say, ‘You’ve given me an erection, look at my erection. I really want to f**k you now that you’ve got that step right’. “I shouldn’t have been put in that situation. The report has suggested I was OK with that. That it was banter. This is categorically untrue. “I managed that behaviour because I didn’t know what else to do in that room. I didn’t in any way invite it or in any way enjoy it. I thought it deeply inappropriate. Strictly’s most senior boss, Sarah James, agreed. Yet this has been airbrushed from the report. Why?” The BBC upheld that Giovanni showed or gestured towards his groin but did not make any finding about the erection comment. It is understood Giovanni denied any remark about an erection or having one and pointing to it. Fellow Italian pro Graziano Di Prima, 32, was sacked for gross misconduct in July 2024 over his treatment of Zara McDermott, who was on the same series as Amanda. Meanwhile, Giovanni is to release a tell-all autobiography called Gio: Taking The Lead in coming weeks. Strictly relaunches with a new look next month with new dancers and a fresh presenting line-up. Emma Willis, dancer Johannes Radebe and comedian Josh ­Widdicombe will be on hosting duties, replacing Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly. BBC Studios, as the producer of Strictly Come Dancing, declined to comment. A source added: “This settlement was not paid from the licence fee.” Last night Amanda declined to comment while Client Ruck, the law firm who represented her, also declined to comment. Comment now