'Strictly' Amanda Abbington reveals why she spoke out against Giovanni Pernice

Actress Amanda Abbington reflected on her decision ahead of making a complaint to the BBC about her former dance partner Giovanni Pernice.

The Strictly Come Dancing alum, who faced death threats and “relentless” abuse after lodging a complaint, said that she thought “long and hard” before going public with her claim.

During an exclusive conversation with The Sun on Sunday, July 21, Abbington explained that she “would not have been able to live with myself” if she stayed silent about her experience on the BBC show.

She said, "I found Giovanni's behaviour unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean. I couldn't sit back and let him do that to other people.

"I had to think long and hard about making a complaint because I knew the backlash I would get. But I would not have been able to live with myself for future people going on that show.

She continued, "I know what happened in that room, it's on video and I have no problem with anyone seeing that. It's a duty of care that is needed."

Meanwhile, in another interview with The Times last week, she reported that Pernice, who was accused of bullying the actress, has been “awful.”

Abbington added, "It's been awful. Death threats and rape threats for just standing up for something that I thought was wrong,"

For the unversed, Pernice rejected Amanda’s claims in his Instagram post in May ahead of his exit from the dancing competition.