Amanda Abbington and Strictly.

[PriamFarrl]

I never watch Strictly, but it seems that her being on it is causing some conflict.

I did a quick look but couldn’t see a thread.

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/tv/strictly-come-dancing-fans-divided-27466760?fbclid=IwAR1iNqoQHvU6tlsap3W1iWz7oG81Sp0Qimp81rzzd5XAU9fB4NLm_LgE47w_aem_AWkW94vOg0i7vw4ncasDUMNwbDACoxFIhz_Dsisy4LT9Nv0k-aEB-k7pqbT5hptMzeU#ll00z8fhy5yfgk5qz3

Not sure whether this is just more gossip and / or the media trying to get hits, but this suggests there is some substance to their being problems for women paired with this particular dancer.

... fresh report claims the Italian dancer was the source of complaints by two other former celebrity partners during their time on the show.
https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/strictly-giovanni-laura-whitmore-b2513925.html

Assuming even some element of this is true the programme makers really need to do more to ensure women feel safe and listened to.

And all this for our entertainment.

Yes it was well documented that Laura Whitmore didn't get on with him. It was a silly pairing as she was friends with his ex girlfriend. I don't know what to think tbh.

Well I think it indicates that the programme makers must be aware of his character, and even if allowing for him being a bit pushy (over assertive male) they should take this into account when pairing him off.

I think once would be a bit sad, but for it to happen 3 times indicates there is an issue.

Its just a tv programme and suspect that women taking part as in other work places are expected to fit in with the dominant male style. Look at other tv programmes where is was later revealed some of the really bad behaviour by men.

And programme makers turning a blind eye.

Pernice has been at the centre of a crisis about his alleged ‘threatening and abusive behaviour’, after a backlash from his former dance partners on the hit show

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/article/2024/jun/10/i-felt-broken-i-cried-every-day-strictly-axes-giovanni-pernice-after-biggest-scandal-in-shows-history

I was just looking for a thread to discuss this latest news. Apparently only Debbie McGee has stood by him. I know we should take these things with a pinch of salt, we don't know the whole story, blah blah, but I'm full admiration for Amanda A. for tackling this. I notice she's deleted her Insta?

And also in doing this has given other women who hadn't felt able to come forward to come forward.

I can't help wondering how many people involved in the programme knew about this but didn't do anything.

Damaging to the strictly brand? They like to give the impression they are all one big friendly family

I don’t understand what he’s actually accused of. It’s all very vague.

Being verbally abusive? Sexual impropriety? Pushing the women too hard physically? Is he just not considering that these celebrities will have their own reasons for joining the show and he’s not entertaining their desire to just take part?

According to the Guardian story, "There were whispers of a dossier of evidence being handed to the BBC, including accusations of Pernice stamping on partners’ feet when they fluffed steps."

So I'm guessing a mix of being verbally abusive and physically aggressive. I think a sexual element is unlikely, because it's so frowned upon now.

It's interesting that Debbie McGee has stood by him - but I think there are some abusive men who nonetheless aren't abusive to all women. Look at Johnny Depp. Perhaps Debbie McGee she was such a good dancer that he didn't feel the need to stamp on her feet, or whatever it was he did.

Debbie McGee is a trained dancer I think? So perhaps she genuinely did not see any of the behaviour that others experienced..(doesn't mean it didn't happen).

I think it's also another example of (i) big organisations tendencies to just do the "nothing to see here" as an immediate first reaction to any criticism - you'd think that the BBC would have learned their lessons from Saville etc and (ii) how many women have to come forward before there is a critical mass sufficient to be believed. Disappointing on both fronts.

Debbie McGee was a professional ballet dancer.

Loved her in the last episode of Inside Number 9 last night. She was great. But then I saw The Independent review of Inside Number 9 and thought the reviewer just couldn’t help themselves. The reviewer obviously doesn’t understand ptsd and makes himself look petty and vengeful. His criticism of her took up three paragraphs at the beginning and the click to the headline was ‘controversial star returns…’
Jacob Stolworthy should stick to reviewing the finale of a fantastic award winning comedy series.

~ Georgia May Foote - ended up shagging
~ Laura Whitmore - Georgia's friend - paired after their split (not originally)
~ Debbie McGee - ex dancer used to hard training
~ Faye Tozer - rumours of clashes but also dance trained
~ Michelle Visage - gave as much as she got (rumours of rows at time)
~ Ranvir Singh - got together with crew member/showmance with Gio
~ Rose Ayling-Ellis - will have had interpreter there throughout
~ Richie Anderson - rumours they didn't get on (Richie hurt, he was a stan)
~ Amanda Abbington - denied rumours at first (feuding leaked early)

Georgia was hurt after they split. Laura found the Strictly Bubble nauseating.
Debbie has only ever been positive about her experience. Faye has largely kept a dignified silence. Michelle said they were both fiery/sent him a heart emoji.
Ranvir found him scary. Rose enjoyed her time but not commenting now.
Richie supported Amanda/Ranvir/Laura. Amanda allegedly said he stamped on her foot.

Georgia = At the time of dating reflected that he'd got her through a lot.
Laura = Extremely uncomfortable with spending 12 hours a day with Gio and broken, mentally and physically, by the end.
Debbie = Heartbroken for him as he gave her the confidence that she could do things she thought were beyond her.
Faye = Was in agony/they work you so so hard but she loved Gio's determination/encouragement that she could achieve anything.
Michelle = Fought every day but for good reason - to get where they wanted to be and she wanted a tough pro.
Ranvir = Said he was super strict and she was a bit scared of him.
Rose = like Debbie, said it was life changing, she hadn't had a clue what she had signed up for initially and credited Gio with telling her story.
Richie = Needed counselling after appearing. Was accused of talking ten to the dozen and not listening in training.
Amanda = Said he was nasty, awful to a group of his partners and she had mild PTSD from training with him.

He worked his partners hard. Not all of them responded to his teaching style.
If they complained to producers, who did nothing, they have a right to air their grievances. In the past, Steve Backshall was given a chaperone after complaining about Ola. You'd have thought they'd have done this as soon as Amanda wanted their training rehearsals filmed.

I do remember Giovanni acting like he was in love with Ranvir when they were partnered, and she also played along. As soon as they were out and they were interviewed on it takes two there was a distinct change in his demeanour, and he came across as quite cold towards her.

I think this might play quite a part in it. I've danced a lot over the years, including for teachers that have made me cry or left me feeling that I was utterly shit or wouldn't let you rest, and who didn't give a toss about that. They were bloody hard to dance for but you would have improved by the end (you wouldn't have dared not!) and they got results. I also danced for old-school ballet teachers who had a harsh style of teaching - you had one chance to say you didn't understand (which, as a side note, is probably where Darcy's "Yah?" came from when she was first judging - I heard that a lot) and you were expected to get it right. There would be virtually no praise, only criticism.

Should it have been like that? Possibly not but the attitude was that if you wanted to improve, suck it up. I should imagine professional dancing is even harsher, and that it would be quite a shock to someone expecting glitter and adulation.

These are attitudes from the last century, and carried on from the one before that. There is a lot of criticism of this old school attitude and has caused problems in drama and dance courses.

But in the instance is ridiculous.

This is a tv show.

Celebreties, some of whom have no natural skill take part for entertainment.

Its not meant to be a boot camp.

Also seems to indicate it is only something inflicted of female participants.

Has there been any instance of one of the female professionals behaving like this?

ce

Steve Backshall complained to producers about Ola and asked for a chaperone.
There may have been issues with Karen and Will Young not expecting it to be so gruelling.
Finally, never a complaint made, but Oti was known to be a taskmaster.

@IwantToRetire I’m just giving the perspective as someone who has danced in that sort of world. Most teachers aren’t like that, tbh, especially nowadays (although there is a fine line between teachers who push you, and those who push too far - ultimately if you want to improve you need to be pushed) and I’m not excusing those who are, but it might explain why Debbie McGee would have found him easier to dance with, especially as she would have done her ballet training quite a long time ago.

I don’t disagree that Strictly is a TV show, celebs aren’t there to become professional dancers etc etc, but it’s a big deal nowadays to be on Strictly, so the pressure is on, rightly or wrongly.

I saw that.
It was such a lovely finale too. Just no need.

Interesting. And he's hired Johnny Depp's lawyer! I hope this doesn't become another circus.

Surely Depp's lawyer is American and any case brought would be under English jurisdiction.