Amanda Abbington's fiancé's fiery response to Giovanni claim as BBC probe verdict revealed

The BBC has concluded their internal probe into Amanda Abbington's allegations against Strictly Come Dancing's former professional Giovanni Pernice, following a four-month long investigation.

By Samantha Masters, Content Editor

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Amanda Abbington's fiancé Jonathan Goodwin once issued a fiery response to a social media, who claimed she ruined former Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni Pernice's career following her complaint about him.

After her early departure from the BBC dance show last year, the Sherlock actress accused Giovanni, 34, of "mean, cruel, and abusive" behaviour, which he has continuously denied.

After a four-month long internal investigation into Amanda's allegations, the BBC today announced the long-awaited verdict

In a statement shared on Monday 30th September, the corporation said: "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."

Amanda Abbington and Jonathan Goodwin

Amanda Abbington's husband-to-be Jonathan Goodwin previously hit back at trolls on social media (Image: INSTAGRAM/AMANDAABBINGTON)

According to BBC News, Amanda's complaints of verbal bullying and harassment were upheld, however claims of physical aggressions were not.

In response, the 50-year-old has released a lengthy statement calling the decision a "vindication" and also highlighted the abuse she had received following her complaint.

During the process of the investigation, the actress' husband-to-be Jonathan hit back at an allegation that she had ruined Giovanni's career.

Following a report that claimed she found her former dance partner to be "abrasive" during rehearsals, a social media user wrote on his page: "Can you tell Amanda that thinking someone is 'abrasive' doesn't mean you set out to ruin their career?

"I know you found it uncomfortable watching them both together, perhaps even jealousy, but that's not his problem, that's yours."

Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice

The BBC has upheld some of Amanda Abbington's complaints against her Strictly pro Giovanni Pernice (Image: BBC)

In response, Jonathan wrote: "Hi lovely thanks for this. I wish you well."

After another Instagram user took a swipe, he shared a more fiery response, writing: "Bless you for speaking out on a subject you know nothing about. Just watch what happens and then maybe form an opinion."

As part of her lengthy statement released today, Amanda said: "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."

The actress went on to say that despite the "vile abuse" she's received, she didn't regret her decision to come forward and complain.

"Today’s apology from the BBC is a vindication of my complaint," she added. "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."

Amanda went on to say that the BBC had invited her to meet with senior management and that this is something she was considering.

"This apology means a great deal to me," the mother-of-two added. "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."

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