Amanda Abbington has been hailed as “brave” by GB News host Bev Turner after the actress said she felt “vindicated” by the apology she received from the BBC.
In a statement, the BBC said it had upheld “some, but not all” of the complaints that Amanda made against her ex-dance partner Giovanni Pernice.
Speaking on GB News, Bev said: ” The way that some of the press are covering this story is that so he’s got off scot free.”
Political commentator Nigel Nelson said: “It is very odd. I think the problem with the result of this investigation is that both Amanda and him, they’re both claiming victory.
“Amanda says ‘I was vindicated. It shows I was treated really badly on Strictly’.
“He’s saying I’ didn’t do anything violent that’s been here’. I mean, basically it’s a really unsatisfactory outcome.”
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Bev explained: “I mean, the report is concluded that she deserved an apology.
“Amanda suffered enormously. She got formally diagnosed with PTSD, feels the BBC breached its duty of care guidelines by not protecting her sooner.
“It’s hard to put a finger on how much she could expect. She might be able to get compensation for what she’s been through at the hands of the BBC, or in the care of the BBC.
“I think it’s probably quite brave of her to have taken this case forward, she could have just dropped it. Other people did.”
Nelson agreed: “There were other others who claimed this was going on but decided not to pursue it. She did, and good for her.
“So she should stand her corner there. The thing is I’ve only ever talked to a couple of contestants who appeared in Strictly.
“What they described as is a very punishing rehearsal regime.
“You really do have to be fit to go and do it, and it’s quite painful, but it doesn’t mean you’re allowed to do the bullying bit thrown in. It’s a show. Let’s not take it too seriously.”
Responding to the BBC’s statement, Abbington said that coming forward “was not an easy thing to do”.
“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.
“Despite this vile abuse, I’ve never regretted coming forward, and today’s apology from the BBC is a vindication of my complaint.”
