Amanda Abbington has reached a substantial settlement with the BBC over bullying claims she made against a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing. The out-of-court settlement was a five-figure sum and was paid by BBC Studios, meaning the funds did not come from the licence fee, the Press Association understands.
Review findings and complaints
The hit BBC show was the subject of a review in 2024 after the actress, 52, alleged her professional partner, Giovanni Pernice, had bullied and harassed her during the competition. Italian dancer Pernice rejected “any claim of threatening or abusive behaviour” and welcomed the conclusion of the review, in which the corporation upheld some but not all of the complaints.
It is understood the corporation made no findings relating to physical aggression in its 2024 review, but complaints of verbal bullying and harassment were upheld. Abbington left the celebrity dance show early, citing “personal reasons”, before alleging “inappropriate behaviour”. In October 2024, the Sherlock actress said she had not ruled out taking legal action.
BBC measures and show changes
Following the review, the BBC introduced a series of measures aimed at improving welfare on the show, including the introduction of a chaperone present “at all times” during training room rehearsals. Pernice was absent from the Strictly professional line-up in 2024 and went on to join the Italian equivalent called Ballando Con Le Stelle, which he won with actress and singer Bianca Guaccero.
Strictly is preparing for its next series, which airs in September, with three new hosts – broadcaster Emma Willis, comedian Josh Widdicombe and former professional dancer Johannes Radebe – replacing Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. The BBC has also confirmed five new professional dancers are joining: Aleksandra Isaeva, Cristian Priori, Lethabo Monametsi, Maddie Ingoldsby and Mark Karmalita. Celebrity contestants for the 2026 series include former Love Island winner Dani Dyer-Bowen, Gavin And Stacey actress Melanie Walters, former England footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips and Australian singer Delta Goodrem.
The BBC declined to comment on the settlement. Representatives for Abbington have been contacted for comment.
