Dancer Giovanni Pernice ‘happy’ after Strictly probe cleared him of abuse claims

Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni Pernice has said he is “happy” after an investigation cleared him of allegations of abuse on the BBC show made by former partner Amanda Abbington.

Pernice, 34, said “sometimes I do get frustrated”, in an Instagram post on Monday, but said it was because “you care about what you do”.

The dancer said he was looking forward to “carrying on to do what I was born to do”.

Sherlock actress Abbington, who pulled out of the BBC One show last year citing “personal reasons”, had claimed she was subjected to a “toxic environment” and “inappropriate, mean, nasty bullying”.

A written statement from Abbington said it “was not an easy thing to do” to come forward, and she has been “accused of being a liar, a troublemaker and of being ‘mad and unstable’” and that she and her children had been threatened.

Pernice has always denied the allegations.

In the post, he said: “It’s over, it’s finished, six months, seven months of all of this.

“Seven months of reading things every day in the newspaper and not being able to respond because I wanted to keep the confidentiality and privacy of the review, (it) was a difficult time.

“It was difficult because, you know, reading stuff that (was) untrue, wasn’t the nicest time of my life lets be honest.

“But today I’m happy because, at the beginning there were very, very serious allegations thrown out at me but today, none of the serious allegations have been upheld.

“All the threatening, abusive, harassment behaviour allegations have not been upheld.

“Today is a day when we can all reflect because, I appreciate that dancing is a very difficult thing to do.

“It’s a sport, it’s something that is difficult in every possible way and sometimes you get frustrated, as a teacher, as a dancer, as a performer. But the only reason why you get frustrated is because you care about what you do.

“You know as a professional, as a teacher, I want to get the best out of my partner, and sometimes I do get frustrated. I think everybody around the world does the same thing, it’s called being professional and I love doing that.

“You know even now with Bianca (Guaccero, his partner on the Italian equivalent of Strictly, Ballando con le Stelle), I get frustrated, I think it’s a normal thing, but then you get out the best and the results come forward.”

The PA news agency understands that 11 of the 17 allegations made against Pernice were rejected.

It is thought those that were upheld were when he became frustrated and gave negative feedback to Abbington, and also included incidents such as swearing.

PA understands there were no findings of physical aggression.

Following the announcement, Abbington said: “Despite this vile abuse, I’ve never regretted coming forward, and today’s apology from the BBC is a vindication of my complaint.

“It’s not just a vindication for me, it’s a vindication for the other people who have contacted me since I made my complaint to express concerns about their own experiences on Strictly Come Dancing.

“I hope those who have felt unable to speak out now will be more confident that they will be listened to and believed.”

Pernice went on to thank fans for their support, saying “I love you all”.

He added: “I have to be honest with all of you, because without your love, your messages, your support, your constant support, I don’t know if I would be able to even make this message right now.

“I’m happy because today I can carry on to do what I was born to do, and I love to do which is entertain all of you, because this is my life. This is what I do.

“So I’m always grateful to all of you and just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart, and saying that I love you all and (as) always thank you.”

The investigation into Abbington’s complaints about Pernice was launched earlier this year.