GIOVANNI Pernice has broken his silence after a BBC report into the Strictly bullying scandal cleared him of almost all allegations.
The bombshell report found that Giovanni was not abusive, did not make threats and was not intimidating - and there was no aggressive or physical contact between him and Amanda Abbington.
Strictly Come Dancing contestant Abbington said she feels "vindicated" by the BBC assessing and upholding "some, but not all" of her complaints about Giovanni Pernice's behaviour
Sherlock actress Abbington, who pulled out of the BBC One show last year citing "personal reasons", later claimed she was subject to a "toxic environment" and "inappropriate, mean, nasty bullying".
There were no findings relating to physical aggression, but it is understood complaints of verbal bullying and harassment were upheld.
In a written statement, a spokesperson for Giovanni Pernice said: "We are pleased that this six-month review has not found any evidence of threatening or abusive behaviour by Giovanni.
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"Giovanni is relieved that the overwhelming majority of allegations out to the BBC have not been upheld and looks forward to continuing his work on Dancing With The Stars in Italy this season."
It comes as...
- BBC apologises to Amanda Abbington over Strictly bullying scandal
- Amanda says she's glad for apology but it isn’t enough
- Giovanni breaks silence after report clears him of almost all allegations
- Amanda reveals trolls said they'd kill her and sent her bomb threats
The review into Abbington's complaints about her Strictly professional dance partner Pernice was launched earlier this year.
Pernice, who is not part of this year's Strictly professional dancing line-up and has since joined an Italian dance show, previously rejected "any claim of threatening or abusive behaviour".
The BBC said on Monday: "We have assessed the complaints and we have upheld some, but not all, of the complaints made.
"We want to apologise to Amanda Abbington and to thank her for coming forward and taking part.
"We know this would not have been an easy thing to do.
"At the time, although the production team took steps to address the issues as they understood them, ultimately these were not enough.
"This is why the measures we have taken to further strengthen our existing protocols are so important."
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.
STRICTLY’S GIO CLEARED
By Issy Sampson
IT’S been a tense wait for Giovanni Pernice, but today the BBC’s official investigation into the Strictly Come Dancing bullying row finally cleared him of almost all of the abuse allegations.
Amanda Abbington has released a statement saying she’s not happy with the outcome - but now the BBC needs to draw a line under the whole ugly situation and move on.
The scandal has seen two dancers leave the show - and more accusations thrown around than a celebrity in a jive.
It’s also seen trolls send Amanda death threats and threaten her children - vile abuse that nobody should ever have to suffer through for simply quitting a TV show and speaking up.
Clearly, Amanda went through a lot and considers the way that Giovanni treated her to be unacceptable - and both the BBC and the dancer need to learn lessons from this situation.
The BBC has already made changes to training sessions, making sure dancers are never alone with the celebs and a chaperone is present at all times. The show’s pros are no doubt a lot more cautious in their teaching methods.
But this investigation needs to change the way all reality shows are run backstage - duty of care towards both stars taking part and backstage staff needs to be increased and upheld. Because if Strictly meets another scandal this big, it could be too damaged to survive.
"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."
She added that she is "considering" meeting senior management, after they offered that to her.
Abbington also said: "This apology means a great deal to me.
"So too does the fact that the BBC have acknowledged the steps that were put in place to support and protect me and past contestants were 'not enough'.
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"What matters most now is that lessons have been learned and that the BBC makes the changes they've promised, to ensure others don't experience the same ordeal that I and others like me did."
The show returned on September 14 for its 20th anniversary with a new cast of celebrities, and some changes including having chaperones present "at all times" during rehearsals.
Amanda Abbington statement in full
In a statement, Amanda said: "As the BBC has indicated today in its statement, my decision to come forward and complain about Giovanni Pernice’s conduct towards me was not an easy thing to do.
"In the days, weeks and months since I contacted the BBC, I’ve been accused of being a liar, a troublemaker and of being 'mad and unstable'.
"I’ve also received rape and murder threats and a bomb threat was sent to my place of work.
"My family and children have also been subjected to threats and intimidation.
"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.
"The BBC has invited me to meet with senior management and this is something I will now be considering."
Amanda added: "This apology means a great deal to me.
"So too does the fact that the BBC have acknowledged the steps that were put in place to support and protect me and past contestants were 'not enough'.
"What matters most now is that lessons have been learned and that the BBC makes the changes they’ve promised, to ensure others don’t experience the same ordeal that I and others like me did."