Presenter Laura Whitmore has spoken out following the outcome of the BBC probe into Strictly Come Dancing, which was announced on Monday after months on investigation.
Whitmore, 39, revealed earlier this year that she had also raised concerns about the show while partnered with Giovanni Pernice, 34, back in 2016, explaining the experience left her “broken” and “crying every day”.
The Irish presenter released a lengthy statement in July following Amanda Abbington’s accusations against Pernice.
Last year, Abbington, 52, left the show early and went on to claim the Italian dancer had been “abusive” and “threatening”. He previously denied Abbington’s claims of wrongoding.
After a months-long investigation, the BBC revealed its findings this week, with six of Abbington’s 17 allegations upheld. The corporation also apologised to the actress.
Now, Whitmore has shared her thoughts as she reacted to the news, explaining her relief over the outcome.
On her Instagram Story, she posted: “I hope this helps people realise they should not be subjected to abusive behaviour in the workplace.
“Things can be twisted online and there’s so much more to this but in black and white there were complaints upheld and an apology made. And the perpetrator no longer works for the channel.”
Pernice left Strictly earlier this year amid the investigation and ongoing headlines about claims against him and is now working on Italy’s version of the series.
During the investigation, dancer Grazianno Di Prima, 30, was also axed from the series.
Following the outcome, Abbington said on Monday she felt “vindicated,” while Pernice also seemed to take the findings as a victory, thanking fans for their support and stating he is “pleased”.
In the summer, former Love Island host Whitmore went public with her complaints against Strictly, writing at the time: “I was trying not to comment on recent press speculation until the BBC review is complete but feel there is a lot of misinformation in the press and I want to help and show support by setting the record straight.
“I was asked to speak to the BBC along with six people that I know of (who deserve anonymity as they don’t want to be dragged through the press), about inappropriate behaviour they experienced similar to mine with the same individual. I initially raised concerns back in 2016.
“I thought my experience was specific to me but I’ve since learned I was wrong. The aim of this is to show a pattern of behaviour that I believe needs to stop. My evidence is to support other people’s experience.”
Alluding to the scandal involving Abbington and Pernice, she added: “It’s a shame it takes this for someone to be heard.”
Whitmore concluded the post: “I am not looking for anything just an acceptance that what happened to me in the rehearsal rooms during my time on BBC Strictly was wrong and that it won’t happen to anyone else again.”
Summing up the findings of the probe, the BBC said on Monday: “The BBC has now concluded its review into the complaints made by Amanda Abbington against Giovanni Pernice.
“We take any allegations of bullying and harassment very seriously and this review has taken time due to its complex nature and our desire to ensure a rigorous and robust process was undertaken.”
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The statement continued: “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.
“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.
“The BBC heard from a number of individuals in making its findings. We want to thank them for participating.
“The BBC has already taken extensive steps to enhance our duty of care for everyone on the show and a full note of these steps is published alongside this statement”.
