Giovanni Pernice’s ex Strictly partner confirms she’s given ‘evidence’ to BBC 

Laura Whitmore is the latest celebrity to speak out against her former Strictly Come Dancing partner Giovanni Pernice as she shares a lengthy post revealing she’s given evidence to the BBC.

Laura, 39, has revealed that she has given ‘evidence’ to the BBC about her experience on the dance competition in 2016.

The presenter and former Love Island host was paired with Pernice for the show, who is currently facing bullying claims from his 2023 dance partner Amanda Abbington.

The BBC has launched an investigation into bullying on the show, with Pernice denying any wrongdoing and suggestions from sources close to him that some of those speaking out about him are lying.

Laura revealed on social media: ‘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. It’s a shame it takes this for someone to be heard.

‘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.’

‘Because I have not made an official complaint, and am providing evidence of my experience to support the investigation, not all the communication will be passed on to all parties involved. “

‘Misinformation is being put into the press so I want to set the record straight.

‘Victim blaming must stop or we will never get better. I’ve tried to speak up in the correct way. I know the BBC and all outlets continue to do their best to be better, but for that to happen we must speak up.’

This isn’t the first time the star has spoken out about not enjoying her time on the show.

Writing for Hot Press in 2018, the presenter explained: ‘I’m still not ready to talk in-depth about my experience on the show. I love dancing, I topped the leaderboard twice – but before it even began, I was thrown into the lion’s den and into the middle of someone’s break-up that had nothing to do with me. Once again, I was a “rumoured love interest”.

‘I was placed with a dance partner I was extremely uncomfortable with – and in the end I felt broken. I cried every day. And I really was broken, both mentally and physically, by the end.

‘To the outside world I tried to suck it up and smile, and I did that to the best of my ability – but it affected me deeply. My friends and family knew that I was struggling. And they were there for me. The media, however, saw me as blonde bait in a sequined dress.’

The BBC has announced that the show will be continuing in 2024, with various celebrities rumoured to be participating.

New measures have also been introduced by the BBC for the new season.

‘Concerns that have arisen in recent months have been fundamentally about training and rehearsals. The actions we announce today are designed to address that,’ it was announced.

It was then detailed that the dance rehearsals will now be monitored, explaining ‘a production team member present during training room rehearsals at all times.’