‘Strictly Come Dancing’ Whistleblower Amanda Abbington Says She Still Struggles to Talk About Her Experience on the Hit BBC Show: ‘I Do Cry, I Do Get Emotional, I Do Shake’

I am deeply saddened by the experiences shared by Amanda Abbington and Zara McDermott regarding their time on “Strictly Come Dancing.” As a fan of the show, it is disheartening to learn about the bullying, abuse, and humiliating behavior that they endured during their participation.

I, as an avid film viewer, was surprised to hear that Amanda Abbington, who plays Sherlock’s wife on screen, revealed she has been dealing with PTSD since appearing on “Strictly Come Dancing.” She openly shared her ongoing struggle to discuss the experience.

Sharing her past encounter with dancer Giovanni Pernice from last year’s show, Abbington spoke candidly to Channel 4 News about the alleged bullying and mistreatment she endured. “When I discuss specific parts of what transpired in that room,” she explained, “I become emotional, I cry, I tremble. It was truly horrific.”

On the twenty-first series of “Dancing with the Stars” in the United States, Abbington made an appearance but then left after only five episodes. She explained her departure by mentioning undisclosed health issues.

After acknowledging that a health issue served as the last trigger, the actress described her encounter with Pernice as both abusive and cruel, ultimately resulting in her decision to withdraw from the project.

In an interview with Krishnan Guru-Murthy of Channel 4, she shared her surprise about the challenging nature of the BBC One show they both participated in last year. “I assumed it would be a tough task,” she admitted. “I’m excited for the opportunity to learn new dance routines. The Saturday night television slot adds an element of hard work, I understand that. I’ve always been a dedicated worker. But there will also be moments for laughter and enjoyment.” She continued, “I wasn’t anticipating this experience at all. It’s not what I thought it would be.”

Abbington stated that she wasn’t able to discuss her encounters with Pernice in depth due to having filed a formal complaint with the BBC. The BBC is reportedly investigating this matter, reaching out to potential witnesses and examining relevant footage, including recordings from inside the rehearsal room that documented Pernice’s actions.

Following Abbington’s initial criticism of Pernice, she disclosed that producers arranged for cameras (with her consent) to be set up during weekly rehearsals for further assessment. Subsequently, every Friday for the subsequent five weeks, she received messages from producers expressing shock and apologies based on their recent footage evaluation. Nevertheless, Abbington and her legal team have been denied access to the footage since filing her complaint by the BBC.

When Guru-Murthy asked Abbington if it was true that she had experienced “degrading sexual misconduct,” she confirmed it and started crying.

When he inquired if she was taking legal action against the BBC, she responded, “No, I’m not suing, but I do believe I’m entitled to a monetary compensation.” She explained further, “I suffered greatly – financially and emotionally. Yes, absolutely.” Abbington also disclosed that she had been diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

“The memories of past events in that room resonate deeply with me, causing lasting emotional reactions. I find it difficult to discuss certain topics related to that room due to the strong feelings of anxiety they evoke. It’s unexpected and unsettling that a BBC show on a Saturday night could elicit such a response from me.”

She continued by admitting, “I find it challenging to go out alone, and I feel extremely vulnerable. When I discuss certain details of that traumatic event, I can’t help but cry, get emotional, and even tremble. It was truly harrowing.” Abbington also shared that she has been subjected to threats of death and rape since sharing her experiences.

Furthermore, influencer Zara McDermott, a former contestant on “Strictly Come Dancing” last year, has joined the list of those sharing negative experiences. Her dance partner, Graziano Di Prima, has confessed to having kicked her during practice sessions.

While most of her “Strictly” experience was “everything I could have dreamt of,” McDermott said in a statement, “my experience inside the training room was very different. Reports have been made about my treatment on the show and there were witnesses to some events, as well as videos of particular incidents which are incredibly distressing to watch.”

Similar to Abbington, McDermott admitted that she went into the program aware of its physical demands. However, she confessed that she hadn’t anticipated the emotional trials she was about to face.

Some past competitors of Abbington’s have shared their own unfavorable encounters with the show.

As a movie reviewer, I’d say: The BBC is presently carrying out an in-house inquiry regarding the show, but we might never get to know the results. BBC’s chief executive Tim Davie has offered a broad apology to those involved, whereas Pernice, who won’t be part of this year’s installment, vehemently denies any misconduct.

As a long-time fan of BBC’s television, I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia as “Strictly Come Dancing” marks its 20th anniversary this year. Having grown up with this iconic reality series gracing our screens, it holds a special place in my heart. With the format selling like hotcakes around the world and consistently drawing massive viewership and accolades for the BBC, it’s safe to say that “Strictly” has been a cornerstone of their annual programming. But as someone who’s watched the show evolve over the years, I can’t help but wonder if its current format will continue to captivate audiences in the same way. The future remains uncertain, but one thing’s for sure – “Strictly Come Dancing” has left an indelible mark on British television history.

2024-07-25 17:47

‘Strictly Come Dancing’ Whistleblower Amanda Abbington Says She Still Struggles to Talk About Her Experience on the Hit BBC Show: ‘I Do Cry, I Do Get Emotional, I Do Shake’

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