Last week, the BBC investigation into the Strictly bullying scandal finally came to a close, with pro dancer Giovanni Pernice being cleared of all threatening and abusive behaviour towards his Amanda Abbington.
After six months of investigating the Sherlock actress’ claims that he was ‘abusive, cruel and mean’, they found he was not abusive, nor did he make threats or was intimidating.
However, the Corporation has issued an apology to the actress after finding in her favour on ‘a number of’ allegations concerning verbal bullying and harassment.
Following this, Amanda, 50, said she is considering further action against the BBC and is currently ‘taking guidance from her lawyer on a day to day basis.’
As the fallout continues, MailOnline has rounded up all of Amanda’s loved ones and fellow Strictly stars that are standing by her side at this time.
Her fiancé Jonathan Goodwin and children Joe and Grace
MailOnline has rounded up all of Amanda’s loved ones that are standing by her side, following the fallout of the BBC investigation (Amanda pictured with her fiancé Jonathan Goodwin and children Joe and Grace)
Amanda’s fiancé Jonathan Goodwin, 44, and her children Joe and Grace, have undoubtedly supported her throughout the six-month process (pictured last year)
Amanda’s fiancé Jonathan Goodwin, 44, and her children Joe and Grace, have undoubtedly supported her throughout the six-month process.
Shortly after the report’s conclusion was released, Britain’s Got Talent star Jonathan took to his Instagram Stories to share a news article announcing that the broadcaster had apologised.
The couple and Amanda’s children, who she shares with Martin Freeman, also made a rare public appearance as a family in August as they attended the press night after-party for her play When It Happens To You in London.
Joe, 18, and Grace, 16, looked to be bursting with pride as they posed for pictures with their mother.
In another dig in May, before the news broke that Giovanni would not be appearing in the 20th series of Strictly, Jonathan posted a cryptic message about experiencing ‘terrible circumstances’.
He wrote: ‘We don’t control what happens to us… but we do control how we feel about it…. Every single moment that we live adds depth and weight to our identity.
‘The good… and the bad… it is literally impossible to become an adult and not experience at least a few terrible circumstances… the real test of character is how we react to them.’
Last week, the BBC investigation into the Strictly bullying scandal finally came to a close, with pro dancer Giovanni Pernice being cleared of all threatening and abusive behaviour
Amanda and former escapologist and stunt performer Jonathan began dating in 2021 and were reported to have got engaged in May last year (pictured in 2022)
In another dig, before the news broke that Giovanni would not be appearing in the 20th series of Strictly, Jonathan posted a cryptic message about experiencing ‘terrible circumstances’
Before the news broke that Giovanni will not be appearing in the 20th series of Strictly Amanda’s fiancé posted a cryptic message about experiencing ‘terrible circumstances’
A user commented on the post, writing: ‘Can you tell Amanda that thinking someone is ‘abrasive’ doesn’t mean you set out to ruin their career?’
Refusing to take the bait, Jonathan replied: ‘Hi lovely thanks for this. I wish you well’
A user commented on the post, writing: ‘Can you tell Amanda that thinking someone is ‘abrasive’ doesn’t mean you set out to ruin their career?
‘I know you found it uncomfortable watching them both together, perhaps even jealousy, but that’s not his problem, that’s yours.’
Refusing to take the bait, Jonathan replied: ‘Hi lovely thanks for this. I wish you well.’
Amanda and former escapologist and stunt performer Jonathan began dating in 2021 and were reported to have got engaged in May last year.
Martin Freeman
In August, it was reported that Amanda was being supported by her ex-partner Martin Freeman (seen in 2014)
Amanda and actor Martin, 52, were together for 16 years from 2000–2016 and share two children (seen in 2015)
In August, it was reported that Amanda was being supported by her ex-partner Martin Freeman.
Amanda and actor Martin, 52, were together for 16 years from 2000–2016 and share two children.
Martin reached out to the actress to support after the scandal and been someone to lean on during the turbulent time, according to The Sun.
A source told the publication: ‘Martin has made a point of making sure Amanda is OK with everything that has happened recently. They share two children together so have always remained close for their sake.
‘He was left worried and concerned at learning about the things which Amanda has been going through. And it’s been really heartening for Amanda to know that she has Martin’s support.
‘She’s been through hell recently, and had to endure death threats and hateful messages. She’s relied heavily on her fiancé Jonathan who has been an absolute rock throughout all of this.’
Laura Whitmore
Laura Whitmore was also partnered with Giovanni on Strictly in 2016 and was one of the stars who spoke to the BBC as part of the investigations
She said she first raised concerns in 2016 with the show and in August this year accused the BBC of ‘gaslighting’ her over her experience with Giovanni
Now she has spoken out after the probe was completed saying on her Instagram Story: ‘I hope this helps people realise they should not be subjected to abusive behaviour in the workplace’
Laura Whitmore was also partnered with Giovanni on Strictly in 2016 and was one of the stars who spoke to the BBC as part of the investigations after what she described as his ‘inappropriate’ behaviour on the show.
She said she first raised concerns in 2016 with the show and in August this year accused the BBC of ‘gaslighting’ her over her experience with Giovanni.
In 2018, Laura also shared that she didn’t enjoy her time on Strictly with Giovanni, leaving the competition in week seven feeling ‘broken’ and admitting she ‘cried every day’.
Now she has spoken out and thrown her support behind Amanda after the probe was completed, saying on her Instagram story: ‘I hope this helps people realise they should not be subjected to abusive behaviour in the workplace.
‘Things can be twisted online and there’s so much more to this but in black and white there were complaints upheld and an apology made. And the perpetrator no longer works for the channel.’
Sources claimed Amanda, Ranvir Singh and Laura had an ’emotional summit’ where they ‘compared notes’ and ‘shed tears’ about their time working with Giovanni on the show.
During her recent Newsnight interview, Amanda revealed she held a summit of other Strictly Come Dancing contestants in her own home to swap stories of treatment on the show.
Although she didn’t clarify who attended, she said she and the other stars wept as they spoke of their experiences working with Giovanni.
Ranvir Singh
Good Morning Britain host Ranvir, who reportedly made a complaint against Giovanni to the BBC in 2020, admitted to feeling ‘scared’ of the Italian
It was reported that she joined Amanda and Laura for the ’emotional summit’ that happened earlier this year to talk about her own experiences (pictured on the show with Giovanni)
The ITV star recently revealed her feelings towards the investigation’s conclusion, when quizzed by Susanna Reid on GMB
Good Morning Britain host Ranvir, who reportedly made a complaint against Giovanni to the BBC in 2020, admitted to feeling ‘scared’ of the Italian.
It was reported that she joined Amanda and Laura for the ’emotional summit’ that happened earlier this year to talk about her own experiences.
The ITV star recently revealed her feelings towards the investigation’s conclusion, when quizzed by Susanna Reid on GMB.
She said: ‘I was pleased yesterday to see that the BBC investigation had concluded – it had been going on for some time – and that it ended with an apology to Amanda. I was pleased to see that.
‘I think that it can only be a good thing that these extra welfare measures have now been put in place on the back of this investigation because ultimately, Strictly is a show that everyone should be having a good time on.
The presenter added: ‘It’s entertaining, it’s joyful and everybody should be having a good time whether they work on the show, and the audience at home should feel comfortable that it’s what everyone is experiencing.’
