Amanda Abbington sent terrifying message during theatre show after Giovanni Pernice scandal

Amanda Abbington says she faced death and bomb threats if she continued her stage production When It Happens To You after the Strictly Come Dancing bullying row

Amanda Abbington has opened up about the terrifying bomb and death threats she received in the wake of the Strictly Come Dancing scandal.

The actress originally said she pulled out of the flagship BBC show last year for “medical reasons,” but later made a complaint against professional Giovanni Pernice. In an interview with BBC Newsnight, she called the time since the complaint “the worst year of her life”.

She has now revealed she received threats as she prepared for her production, When It Happens To You. She says she was told she would be “stabbed” if she went on with the show.

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However Amanda continued with the performance. She admits she was “terrified” at the time but would not “let bullies win”.

Speaking to Closer, she said: “We had death threats and bomb threats at the theatre. Specifically at me, because of Strictly.

“Every night I went out - they’re not going to stop me doing my job. It’s terrifying but I just think I’m not going to let the bullies win.”

The BBC apologised to 53-year-old Amanda after it upheld six of the 17 complaints she made. These included complaints of verbal bullying and harassment against Pernice, reports BBC News .

However, the dancer was cleared of physical aggression. Pernice always denied the allegations made against him.

The Metropolitan Police meanwhile confirmed in August that it was looking into the death threats sent to former Sherlock star Amanda. A spokesman told the Standard: “We were called at about 10am on Monday, August 12 by a staff member at a theatre in Finsbury Park following receipt of an alleged malicious communication.”

The force confirmed officers no arrests were made. Amanda however says she is “glad” she decided to speak up.

She says you have to “stand up and say something” if “something is bothering you”. And while she was unable to continue in the competition, she says she hasn’t lost her love of dancing, admitting she often dances around the kitchen.

Amanda admitted that following her experience on Strictly she was not keen to do another reality show as she admitted she was keen to appear on EastEnders.

The BBC introduced a number of changes to the current series of Strictly, with chaperones in rehearsals and new welfare workers brought in. Fifteen training room observers have also been introduced to monitor rehearsals.