Strictly's Giovanni Pernice CLEARED of abusive behaviour in bombshell report on Amanda Abbington complaints

After six months of investigating Amanda Abbington's claims, BBC bosses have ruled that Strictly Come Dancing's Giovanni Pernice was not abusive, threatening or intimidating

Giovanni Pernice did not behave "inappropriately" towards his dance partners, the BBC has confirmed.

The findings of a long-awaited internal investigation into alleged misconduct by the former Strictly dancer, 33, are today made public.

After six months of investigating Amanda Abbington's claims bosses have ruled Mr Pernice was not abusive, threatening or intimidating. They also said there was no aggressive or physical conduct.

The broadcaster launched an internal probe in May after at least three celebrities instructed lawyers at Carter Ruck over his alleged abuse - which Giovanni vehemently denied. And as the pressure mounted, former Met cops were brought on by BBC bosses to oversee the "evidence gathering". As part of the inquiry officers were said to be reviewing footage of Giovanni's rehearsals with former partner Amanda Abbington, as well as texts and screenshots between the pair.

The Sherlock actress, 50, had quit the show last October, citing personal reasons. But she went on to reveal that she had been left suffering "mild PTSD" after taking part in the BBC show. And in a tearful interview last month, she lifted the lid on her experience - telling how she raised concerns about the dancer's "nasty" conduct just three days into her training. She said: "I've got texts to the producer on day three going, 'This is awful, he hates me, I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I'm trying my best, I promise you."

She went on to describe Giovanni's conduct as "inappropriate" adding: "It was mean, it was nasty, it was bullying. And I put up with it for five or six weeks. It started very early on. When it started to happen, I would shut down, because I recognised those red flags."

Branding the Strictly training room "a toxic environment", she went on: "I don't care what background you're from - whether it's dancing, acting, singing - you have a duty of care to bring into that rehearsal room compassion, understanding, sensitivity and kindness, and that wasn't extended to me. And so I just said, I don't think this is right."

Amanda's interview on Lorraine came a day after an interview with Channel 4 News host Krishnan Guru-Murthy, who also took part in last year's series. She said she had been subjected to what Krishnan described as "humiliating behaviour of a sexual nature", but said it was not sexual harassment. At the time, producers told her they were "shocked and horrified" after watching rehearsal footage, she said.

Following her interview, Giovanni - who denied allegations he behaved in a "threatening or abusive" way - said Amanda's allegations on the Channel 4 programme "did not resemble" those he had been made aware of and urged people to await the findings of the BBC's report.

But days later Laura Whitmore, who danced with the Italian in 2016, became the second star to break her silence on the scandal - revealing she had complained to BBC bosses about his "inappropriate" conduct eight years ago. In a statement, Laura also confirmed that she was one of seven individuals who had spoken to the BBC regarding Amanda's complaint. And she added that she had chosen to go public in a strike against "victim shaming."

Her words came just one day before the findings of the BBC report into Giovanni's conduct were due for release on 29 July. But the date was then pushed back - to the disappointment of show bosses who had hoped to reveal it before the announcement of the new Strictly line-up.

In July, BBC director general Tim Davie issued an apology to former contestants who had complained about their treatment. He said was "disappointed" to hear that several celebrities had complained about how their dance partners treated them in rehearsals. And he added: "There will be a degree of competitiveness and will to do well, but there are limits and the line should never be crossed. We never tolerate unacceptable behaviour of any kind."

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