Watch as Amanda Abbington breaks down in tears over ‘brutal, unforgiving’ Strictly nightmare in emotional C4 interview
SHAKING Amanda Abbington has said being Strictly's first whistleblower has been "brutal and unforgiving" as she broke down in tears on Channel 4 News.
The actress was partnered with Giovanni Pernice last year but she quit the BBC dance competition.
She spoke about the "brutal, relentless, unforgiving…rape threats to myself and my daughter and threats of death to my son" in a tearful interview tonight.
She said: "It’s been brutal and relentless and unforgiving.
"Well the aftermath has been something that I wasn’t expecting you know, death threats and rape threats not only to myself but to my daughter.
"Yeah it’s just been, when you get like one or two of those, you can go, 'oh you know.'
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"But I was getting dozens a day, on social media, dozens. 'Just go and kill yourself, I hope you die of cancer'."
She went on: "Your kids will be better off without you as a mother, I hope your daughter gets raped, I hope your son gets stabbed, how could you destroy something like Strictly, you're a snowflake, you're an idiot, poor Giovanni. IT was just all the time.
"Allowing people to go and complain, not even complain, to voice your concerns if you feel like yuo're being bullied. Of if you feel like this situation you are in feels toxic and unsafe. Having the courage to go and say something is so important.
"And we not cultivating that environment. We are making out that women who voice their concerns about a situation, who are trolled. Sent death threats, rape threats. Are not taking seriously.
"I know what happened to me in, I am not a sensational person. I am not a hysterical person. I don't make things out to be bigger than they are. I know what happened in that room wasn't acceptable.
"I complained about it, and sort of, had not been taken seriously.
"Not only me, but three other women, and more potentially coming forward.
"We have to cultivate a society and an environment where women can com think we need to brave."
In response, a BBC spokesperson has said: “Anyone involved in a complaint has a right to confidentiality and fair process and therefore it would be inappropriate to comment further on individuals.
"However, when issues are raised with us we always take them extremely seriously and have appropriate processes in place to manage this. As we have said before, we would urge people not to indulge in speculation.
“More generally, the BBC and BBC Studios takes duty of care extremely seriously. Our processes on Strictly Come Dancing are updated every year, they are kept under constant review and last week we announced additional steps to further strengthen welfare and support on the show.“
In a statement Giovanni Pernice’s spokesperson added: “We are cooperating fully with the BBC’s review process.
"All parties have been asked to respect this process and to not speak to the media before it concludes. We will continue to respect the integrity of the investigation and believe it is the right forum for all the evidence to be reviewed.
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“As part of the evidence-led review, the BBC has shared the allegations they have been able to substantiate with us. They do not resemble Amanda’s latest allegations, given to Channel 4, in any shape or form.
"Giovanni refutes any claim of threatening or abusive behaviour, and having provided the BBC with his evidence, is confident that the review will prove this.”