Giovanni Pernice says he 'wouldn't change' his teaching style after BBC Strictly probe

Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni Pernice has expressed relief following the conclusion of a BBC investigation into his conduct during his time teaching former contestant Amanda Abbington. The Sherlock actress had previously accused the Italian dancer of creating a "toxic environment" and engaging in "inappropriate, mean, nasty bullying".

The BBC upheld "some, but not all" of Abbington's complaints against Pernice. Speaking on ITV’s Lorraine in his first TV interview since the investigation results were made public, Pernice said: "From my certain point of view, I’m relieved the fact that the most serious allegations were thrown out. " He added: "Yes, six has been upheld but 11 hasn’t been upheld, which is again, the most serious were not."

Pernice went on to say: "When it comes to that one upheld we got some allegation of verbal bullying, as we say, I adapt with the person that will go in front of me, and vice versa. I think this is life like this."

He continued: "If you’re in the room and we decide one sort of relationship within us two, I feel safe at that time, we were OK with it and was fine. Never been a difficulty of ‘Please don’t say this to me’. And the other allegation, that was me being frustrated, which I recognise."

When queried on whether he would alter his teaching style following the investigation, Giovanni Pernice responded firmly, "I wouldn’t change my teaching style because, in my opinion, it’s a profession, dancing is a very difficult thing to do." He went on to cite his accomplishments, saying, "I have achieved four finals, I won the show with Rose (Ayling-Ellis), now I’m breaking records in Italy with Bianca (Guaccero)."

Pernice, proud of his track record, added, "I’ve potentially got all the records on Strictly, but it’s not to blow my own trumpet, I think it’s a difficult discipline, and for me, teaching, the way I teach, is the successful way to approach this. " He acknowledged the possibility of tweaking methods, "Yes, you could change the approach, but not changing the teaching style."

Pernice, who is conspicuously absent from this year’s line-up of Strictly Come Dancing professional dancers and has joined the Italian version of the show, had previously dismissed "any claim of threatening or abusive behaviour".

The BBC last month addressed the situation, stating, "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."

The broadcaster also admitted that previous measures were insufficient: "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."

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