Actress Amanda Abbington has secured a five-figure out-of-court settlement from BBC Studios following a high-profile dispute over her time on the dance competition Strictly Come Dancing. The payout concludes a nearly three-year saga sparked by her exit from the show and subsequent bullying allegations against professional partner Giovanni Pernice.
The Five-Figure Settlement and Funding Details
Friends and family of the actress are relieved that the ordeal has concluded, with sources indicating that the settlement allowed the corporation to avoid a potential court battle over damages and loss of earnings.
Crucially for license fee payers in the United Kingdom, the funds for the settlement did not come from the public television licence fee. Instead, the payment was issued directly by BBC Studios.
Origins of the Controversy on Strictly Come Dancing
The dispute traces back to October 2023, when Abbington abruptly withdrew from the popular celebrity dance competition after five weeks.
Abbington described her rehearsal environment as toxic and alleged that Pernice’s conduct was unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean
. The controversy prompted the broadcaster to initiate an internal investigation into the complaints, which scrutinised training practices and welfare standards behind the scenes of the family entertainment programme.
Findings of the Investigation and the Official Apology
The internal review concluded in September 2024, resulting in a public apology from the network. Investigators upheld some, but not all, of the grievances lodged by the actress. Specifically, complaints regarding verbal bullying and harassment were substantiated, with the professional dancer’s language characterised as belittling, dismissive, and insulting. However, the review made no findings relating to physical aggression.
“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 BBC, via Radio Times
Pernice consistently rejected any claim of threatening or abusive behaviour while welcoming the conclusion that the most serious allegations were not upheld. In a statement posted to Instagram in September 2024, the dancer acknowledged that he could become frustrated while teaching but maintained that his goal was always to achieve the best possible performance from his partners.
Personal Toll and Post-Show Fallout
The aftermath of the public complaint brought significant personal challenges for Abbington. She revealed that she was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder following her departure from the show, describing the period as one of the worst years of my life. In subsequent interviews, she detailed enduring hundreds of online threats, including rape and death threats directed at both her and her teenage daughter, which triggered a separate police investigation.
Despite the severe online backlash, Abbington maintained that she had no regrets about raising her concerns, viewing the apology from the broadcaster as an important vindication of her experience.
Broader Reforms and Changes to the Show
The controversy forced the long-running entertainment institution to reevaluate its duty of care protocols. In July 2024, ahead of the investigation’s formal conclusion, the production team introduced mandatory welfare changes, including the presence of a chaperone at all times during training room rehearsals.
Additional roles, such as dedicated celebrity and professional-dancer welfare producers, were also integrated into the production structure. Meanwhile, personnel shifts have reshaped the programme: Pernice did not return to the British lineup in 2024, instead joining the Italian dance competition Ballando con le Stelle, which he subsequently won alongside partner Bianca Guaccero. The UK production is now preparing for its upcoming autumn series featuring a heavily revamped hosting and professional dancer roster.
