The BBC has issued an apology to Abbington, though her allegations were only partially validated

 The BBC has issued an apology to Amanda Abbington, acknowledging some of her grievances regarding her 2023 Strictly dance partner Giovanni Pernice, while dismissing the most severe allegations against him.

According to BBC News, while claims of verbal bullying and harassment were validated, allegations of physical aggression were not. Abbington, known for her role in Sherlock, accused Pernice of being "unnecessary, abusive, cruel, and mean" during their practice sessions. Pernice has firmly rejected any accusations of abusive or threatening conduct.

In a statement released Monday, the BBC emphasized its commitment to addressing allegations of bullying and harassment "very seriously." They noted that the review of Abbington's complaints took considerable time due to its complex nature, ensuring a "rigorous and robust process." The statement confirmed that while some complaints were upheld, not all were validated.

The BBC expressed gratitude to Abbington for coming forward, acknowledging the difficulty of her decision to speak out. Abbington previously mentioned that she first raised concerns about Pernice's behavior with the Strictly producers within days of starting rehearsals and had multiple discussions with the show's leadership. She ultimately withdrew from the competition in week six, citing "medical" and "personal reasons," and subsequently filed a formal complaint.

Abbington also claimed that the BBC had been aware of Pernice's behavior for years, adding that her family received death threats after she voiced her concerns. Charlotte Moore, the BBC's chief content officer, described the online abuse directed at Abbington as "terrible" and personally apologized to her on two occasions.

The BBC acknowledged that while the production team attempted to address the issues at the time, their efforts fell short. They stressed the importance of recently implemented measures to strengthen existing protocols, which include introducing chaperones in all rehearsal spaces and appointing two new welfare producers for the show.

Earlier this year, the BBC confirmed that Pernice would not be part of the new Strictly professional lineup. He has since criticized the "totally untrue stories" about him circulating in the media and expressed his eagerness to see the investigation conclude in order to clear his name. Pernice has now joined the cast of Italy's dance competition, Ballando con le Stelle.

The new season of Strictly Come Dancing premiered on BBC One earlier this month.