Sherlock and Mr Selfridge star Amanda Abbington left her fans slack-jawed when she announced that she was becoming a Strictly Come Dancing contestant in 2023. While her inclusion was certainly exciting, it also soon raised its own set of unique issues & controversies. Amanda had a dramatic go on the show, ranging from great performances to surprise exits and accusations. I go into this, the process of starring on Strictly and her relationship with Giovanni Pernice involved in my most recent article by Prima.
Amanda’s early journey on Strictly
Strictly Come Dancing 2023 saw Amanda Abbington competing, partnered with much-loved dancer Giovanni Pernice who is known for his love dance-offs. The partnership appeared promising to start with, as the pair provided some standout moments during the opening couple of weeks of competition. Given Amanda’s background in acting and performing arts, she was an obvious choice for the grueling routines… to be a real contender.
However, as the weeks went on it became clear that Amanda and Giovanni were having problems with each other. Even after the two delivered some very strong performances, rumors started to surface about possible troubles at work. Amanda spoke about how stressful the competition was on her and what a pressure-filled training round she went through in interviews.
The Scandal and Strictly exit
After five weeks Amanda suddenly left Strictly Come Dancing in October 2023. Back then, her exit was chalked up to “personal reasons” and “medical issues.” The reality show expanded on the story in a subsequent episode to disclose more marital issues between Amanda and Giovanni.
Amanda accused Giovanni Pernice of being ‘abusive, cruel and mean’ who made unproven claims that she had an eating disorder She said his behavior was painful to work under and eventually, after much consideration, she made a formal complaint to the BBC. For Amanda, she had to speak up because what happened in the rehearsal room was unsafe and bullying. Going public was difficult for her; she expected (and received) significant backlash as a result.
The claims were investigated by the BBC and after a widespread investigation, some of Amanda’s complaints were upheld. There was no indication of any physical altercations, according to the investigation; however, reports did confirm incidents involving primarily verbal harassment and bullying. In contrast, Amanda was harshly criticized by the public and even faced death threats on social media from others who questioned her honesty. She persevered though and supported her argument as it was an issue that she felt strongly about wanting to prevent future pageant candidates from experiencing the same hostility.
How Giovanni Pernice reacted, and how it affected his career.
Rebutting the reports, Giovanni Pernice insisted his clashes had always come from a place of competition and that he was simply trying to help teach them. Giovanni, for his part, tried to defend himself by saying he had always pushed his partners so they reached their fullest potential and that the only thing driving him was passion and winning.
The whirlwind storm over, Giovanni maintained his dance career, although he stepped back from Strictly in 2024. He was reportedly considering new gigs in Italy, including for his Dancing with the Stars judging job. Hilliard told investigators in the summer of 2020 that Durham was vulnerable to false accusations, although none were substantiated.
BBC response and new protocols
After Amanda lodged a formal complaint and there was an investigation into her allegations, the BBC then made some changes in response to hers as well as other complaints about the working atmosphere on Strictly. In an apology to Amanda, the network conceded that its “systems were not adequate to support and safeguard our contestants. Among the new steps taken as a result were having one-on-one rehearsals monitored by chaperones and never allowing participants to be alone.
Many were pleased to see these changes implemented. The goal was to make it a safer and more nurturing space for all future contestants. Amanda said she was pleased with the result. She saw both the apology and changes to policy as a win for her. It was also a win for others who had struggled on the show.
What happened to Amanda Abbington after Strictly?
In the aftermath of Strictly, Amanda took time to assess her journey. The acclamation over her exit was certainly trying. However, she maintained exposing a midpoint on acting and what in God knows only simples. She openly discussed her battle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This condition emerged after she left the show. Nevertheless, Amanda is determined to continue working and has booked different gigs in television as well as the theater.
Her time on Strictly prompted a wider dialogue about mental health, the perils of reality TV, and looking after contestants. The changes that the show implemented following Amanda’s brave words will stick. Those who compete in future seasons can rest easy knowing they’ll be more protected.
Conclusion
A markedly less successful experience was had by Amanda Abbington on Strictly Come Dancing. She amazed the audience with her talent. However, she campaigned for improvements in how contestants are looked after during TV shows. What she did on the show changed things. The results of her actions have effects that can still be felt today. These effects will likely last not just for Bachelor Nation. More importantly, they will impact all who would take part in these experiments.
Amanda’s story remains particularly pertinent. She seeks to find opportunities in the following stages of her career. It is a study into what someone can expect if they choose to challenge their treatment by going public. Amanda herself has carved out a pathway of self-advocacy. The stakes would have broken the strongest women. However, her will and defiance were as solid as concrete.
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