Laura Whitmore confirmed today that she has spoken to the BBC about Giovanni Pernice’s ‘inappropriate’ behaviour on Strictly Come Dancing.
The 39-year-old TV presenter, who teamed up with the 33-year-old Italian dancer in 2016, claims she first raised her concerns with the BBC six years ago.
Although she has not yet filed a formal complaint, Laura hopes she can ‘just’ accept what happened to her in the rehearsal room.
Laura admitted that she spoke to six former Strictly stars about their time on the show and passed their information on to the BBC.
Laura wrote on Instagram: ‘I have tried not to comment on recent press speculation until the BBC investigation is complete, but I feel there is a lot of misinformation in the press and I would like to help and show my support by setting the record straight.
Laura Whitmore, 39, confirmed today that she has spoken to the BBC about Giovanni Pernice, 33,’s ‘inappropriate’ behaviour on Strictly Come Dancing
The TV presenter, who collaborated with the Italian dancer on the show in 2016, claims she first raised her concerns with the BBC six years ago
‘I was asked to speak to the BBC, along with six people I know (who wish to remain anonymous because they do not want to be harassed by the press), about inappropriate behaviour they have experienced from the same person, similar to mine.
‘I first raised my concerns in 2016. I thought my experience was specific to me, but I’ve since learned I was wrong.
“The purpose of this is to show a pattern of behavior that I believe needs to stop. My evidence is to support other people’s experiences. It’s unfortunate that this is necessary to make someone’s voice heard.
‘I’m not looking for anything, just the acceptance that what happened to me in the rehearsal rooms during my time at BBC Strictly was wrong and that it won’t happen to anyone else again.
‘Because I have not filed an official complaint and am providing evidence of my experience to support the investigation, not all communications are being passed on to all parties involved.
‘There is misinformation in the press, so I want to set the record straight. Blaming the victim has to stop, otherwise we will never get better.
“I have tried to speak in the right way. I know the BBC and all other media outlets are continuing to do their best to improve, but for that to happen we have to speak out.”
Amanda Abbington, Giovanni’s last celebrity partner, quit Strictly last year for “personal reasons” after reports she demanded footage of their rehearsals after the experience in the competition left her with PTSD.
Although she has not filed a formal complaint, Laura hopes she will get “just an acceptance” of what happened to her in the rehearsal room.
Laura admitted she spoke to six former Strictly stars about their time on the show and passed their information on to the BBC
Amanda Abbington (pictured) – Giovanni’s last celebrity partner – left Strictly last year due to ‘personal reasons’ before reports emerged that she had requested footage of their rehearsals after the experience in the competition left her with PTSD
Sources subsequently claimed that Amanda, Ranvir Singh and Laura had an ’emotional summit’ where they ‘exchanged notes’ about their time with Giovanni on the show – prompting the BBC to launch an investigation into his behaviour
Sources subsequently claimed that Amanda, Ranvir Singh and Laura had an ’emotional summit’ where they ‘shared experiences’ about their time working with Giovanni on the show, prompting the BBC to launch an investigation into his behaviour.
