Shirley Ballas admits 'I don't condone bullying' after Giovanni Strictly scandal

The BBC's investigation into Giovanni Pernice's behaviour came back this week where some claims of bullying and harassment were upheld but claims of physical aggression and threatening behaviour were not

Shirley Ballas has admitted "I don't condone bullying" after Giovanni Strictly scandal.

The Strictly Come Dancing judge has given her own opinion after the BBC's investigation into the professional dancer was released this week. Shirley has said that she has been through bulling herself and that she "feels for the person" who wanted the accusations addressed.

Despite this, she has also said that now the investigation has ended, those involved can now move on. Shirley said: "I don’t condone bullying – I’ve been through it myself. So if things aren’t right or need addressing, I feel for the person that wants them addressed. And I think that’s a big, important part – that everybody gets to say their thing. But now the investigation is over and everybody can move on."

Shirley's opinion comes after Amanda Abbington accused Giovanni of bullying after they competed together on last year's series. They worked together for five weeks before Amanda pulled out for "personal reasons".

However, the BBC then launched an investigation into the professional. The BBC has since apologised to Amanda, 50 and complaints of bullying and harassment were upheld by the report, but claims of physical aggression and threatening behaviour were not. Amanda called it a "vindication of [my] complaint", while Giovanni, 34, said he was "happy" the more serious allegations had been thrown out.

It upheld six of her 16 claims, mainly relating to the former pro’s swearing. It was announced before the latest series kicked off that celebrities and their pro partners would now be chaperoned while they were rehearsing their dances for the week.

Shirley went on to agree that any extra safeguarding measures that were introduced could only be a good thing for those involved. She then explained that she has found the safeguarding on the programme to be "great" since she joined the judging panel eight years ago.

Shirley explained: "The eight years I’ve been on the show, it’s been great safeguarding. I’ve always felt taken care of when the bullying got really bad." Reflecting on her own experience of receiving hate, Shirley said she was delivered death threat letters.

She said: "I was getting hand-delivered letters and one person was drawing a coffin saying 'Die, you b****'. Strictly were 100% supportive, so my experience on the show has been fantastic. I’m not from a TV world but I can only say that I’ve received much better care from Strictly than I ever received in my own industry."

The 2024 series of Strictly has kicked off with plenty of famous faces taking to the dancefloor. You can also see regular judges Craig Revel Horwood, 59, Motsi Mabuse, 43, and Anton Du Beke, 58 on the panel.

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