Amanda Abbington’s traumatic experience on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’

A journey marred by distress

Amanda Abbington, known for her role in “Sherlock,” recently opened up about her harrowing experience on the BBC’s popular dance competition, “Strictly Come Dancing.” The actor revealed that her time on the show left her with PTSD and emotional scars that she still struggles to discuss.

The unexpected ordeal

Abbington participated in the 21st season of “Strictly Come Dancing,” paired with professional dancer Giovanni Pernice. Initially, she was excited about the challenge and the opportunity to learn new dances. However, her experience quickly turned sour. In an emotional interview, she recounted the bullying and abuse she endured, which ultimately led her to withdraw from the competition after just five episodes.

“When I talk about certain aspects of what happened in the room, I do cry, I do get emotional, I do shake. Because it was awful,” Abbington shared.

Behind the scenes

Abbington’s departure from the show was initially attributed to unspecified medical reasons. However, she later disclosed that the abusive behavior she faced from Pernice was the real reason behind her exit. The actor has since filed a formal complaint with the BBC, which is currently under investigation.

The BBC set up cameras in the rehearsal room to monitor Pernice’s behavior after Abbington’s initial complaint. Despite this, Abbington and her legal team have not been granted access to the footage. The actor described how producers would review the footage weekly and express their shock and horror at what they saw.

Emotional and financial toll

Abbington revealed that the traumatic experience has had a lasting impact on her mental health. She has been diagnosed with PTSD and continues to struggle with anxiety and emotional distress. The actor also mentioned that she has received death and rape threats towards herself and her daughter since speaking out about her experiences.

When asked if she was pursuing legal action against the BBC, Abbington clarified that she was not suing but believed she was owed a financial settlement for loss of earnings and emotional trauma.

“I was treated very — loss of earnings and emotional trauma. Yeah, definitely,” she said.

A broader issue

Abbington is not the only contestant to have faced difficulties on “Strictly Come Dancing.” Influencer Zara McDermott also spoke out about her challenging experience on the show. McDermott’s professional dance partner, Graziano Di Prima, admitted to kicking her during rehearsals. McDermott described her time in the training room as distressing and mentioned that there were witnesses and videos of the incidents.

“My experience inside the training room was very different. Reports have been made about my treatment on the show and there were witnesses to some events, as well as videos of particular incidents which are incredibly distressing to watch,” McDermott stated.

The BBC’s response

The BBC is currently conducting an internal investigation into the allegations made by Abbington and McDermott. While the findings of this investigation may never be made public, BBC director general Tim Davie has issued a general apology to anyone affected. Pernice, who will not be appearing in this year’s series, has strongly denied any wrongdoing.

The future of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’

As “Strictly Come Dancing” celebrates its 20th anniversary, the show faces significant scrutiny. Once crowned the Guinness Book of Records’ most successful reality series, its future now hangs in the balance. The BBC must address these serious allegations and ensure the safety and well-being of its contestants moving forward.

For more information on “Strictly Come Dancing,” you can watch the trailer.

This article aims to provide a comprehensive and personal perspective on the recent developments surrounding “Strictly Come Dancing.” By delving into the experiences of Amanda Abbington and Zara McDermott, we hope to shed light on the challenges faced by contestants and the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment in reality TV shows.