Strictly Scandal: Our Reaction To Amanda Abbington’s Interview | Loose Women

In her first TV interview with Channel 4 News, and subsequently today on Lorraine, Amanda Abbington recalled her ‘traumatic’ experience on the show. She claimed that BBC producers were ‘shocked and horrified’ after watching back rehearsal footage, and since leaving has been the recipient of threatening online abuse for speaking out against Giovanni Pernice. So, what do our women make of it all? Sunetra says Amanda is courageous for doing the brave thing and standing up for herself, meanwhile, Kaye thinks this could be the start of the end for Strictly.
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From series 27, broadcast on 25/07/2024
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[@maggieparker8744]

Wish Giovanni would appeal to his fans and trolls to stop this online abuse and let all parties involved sort it out 😢

[@PC1974]

He was heard on stage with Anton Du Beke calling Amanda "the mad woman" so I doubt he's going to do anything to help stop the trolling.

[@Carol-or9jl]

Well said he is looking so guilty.

[@gaskellr44]

Well, he has already called her a mad/crazy woman at one of his giggs, so it's unlikley he cares a jot, also showing his true colours.

[@PC1974]

@gaskellr44 I literally made the same point but well said. 👏

[@gaskellr44]

@@PC1974 Thanks, I saw yours after I'd typed mine. It is basically two scenarios, that she is totally making it up (doubtful, as others who danced with him have made certain, similar complaints) or as I suspect, inapropriate things did happen against her, even if she has slight exagerated, to me, it looks like it is a pattern of behaviour that he does without caring, against some he senses weaknesses against (narcasism in his case). hence I would be surprised if the latter didn't turn out to be true.

[@DeleteWoofDogBanWoofDog]

Just publish the videos so the public have all the facts.

[@hannahsmith4007]

Maybe send that to the bbc lol

[@sarahholland2600]

The BBC's reluctance to release the unedited training footage is making her claims look valid. I do think she had a naive view of the show tho' , having seen her full interview yesterday. She "thought it would be hard work , but that it would be a laugh". Anyone whose watched the show knows the training is absolutely gruelling. I wouldnt call training for 8hrs a day a laugh.

[@bluebell995]

@@sarahholland2600abuse is not training there is no excuse for crossing boundaries

[@sarahholland2600]

@@bluebell995 I didnt say it was. Other partners of his had bad experiences too.

[@gaysy1st]

I'd love to see them too, but it would just end in a kangaroo court. 50% will agree with her & 50% with him & it'll achieve nothing.

[@objectofreference]

The idea that an organisation that is BEING PAID BY THE PUBLIC....has the audacity to hide 50 hours of incriminating footage FROM THE PUBLIC is insane to me.

[@Nix0616]

Why is Amanda doing an interview about this during an ongoing investigation!?

[@alanhudson-x4q]

@@Nix0616 doing it for the money and doing a amber heard

[@Nix0616]

@@alanhudson-x4q Unbelievable! 🙄

[@bluebell995]

Probably because she knows the BBC will not release the tapes

[@WomansworkFestival-vy8fg]

​@@bluebell995she hopes they will. Why are the BBC blocking 50 HOURS of footage? Wake up.

[@tracy2508]

Love how some women can't wait to blame and attack Amanda for speaking out. And it doesn't matter if you wouldn't have put up with it for as long as she did, everyone is different. It's no wonder women keep quiet and put up with 💩when they have to put up with comments from the public who know absolutely nothing about it all, yet think they do.

[@MrSifter]

The only question that needs answering right now is why the BBC and the ‘italian’ do not want the 50 hours of footage to be released. That speaks volumes.

[@margueritahancock5472]

It may ger released after the investigation is over and it may not giovanni said he wanted the cameras going 24/7 while he was teaching her to dance he said because of her actions and her behaviour he was worried if he was guilty of anything would he have asked them to watch his training with her when she was on ITV talking to the reporter BBC said the story she told them was not the story she told them she keeps adding bits on she was phoning other contesta up saying the more of us who complains the better it will be for her she is trying to destroy Giovanni Career what a nasty woman hers is destroyed and it's her own doing who would want to work with her knowing what she could come out with and try to destroy their careers.

[@margueritahancock5472]

He has a name its not nice to say that.... italian....

[@frenchprovincial9602]

Too much discussion about this. Giovanni has not been found guilty it's being investigated it should not be allowed to be discussed on tv, till there is a verdict this is wrong.

[@gail8278]

Absolutely agree. She said her interviews were to promote her new play - so promote and when asked about strictly explain it cannot be discussed as still on going

[@kellystar8443]

Amanda was warned by his previous partners so he has history. The bbc not releasing those tapes are telling.

[@Michael-wx7dr]

@@gail8278 Giovanni spoke publicly already about this, calling Amanda a "mad woman" and that was before Amanda had ever spoken publicly about the situation, but once again excuses are made for Giovanni while Amanda is vilified.

[@garylaverty6636]

She can speak about it as she is the victim and she’s getting trolled and hated!! If there was nothing in the videos we would see the videos that the bbc are keeping, so there’s definitely something bad going on! Plus there will be so many more to come out and come forward because she has done this! She’s brave

[@robedwards6096]

​@@Michael-wx7drshes lying she wanted him mmmmmmm

[@rjpender70]

10 months ago , Amanda put a video out on here..disputing a rift between them. ( look it up). Strange , now? 10 months later this. I know for a fact if this had happened to me...I'd have left the first day it happened. As always , there are 2 sides to every story. She's alwaysnentioning the play she's in to..on every interview. Who knows? We'll see I suppose.

[@gaysy1st]

It's ridiculous to suggest that this is for publicity. It has hardly done her good, as can be seen by the abuse she's getting. Nobody would go & see her play if she was found to be lying.

[@laurenking9524]

Only people who know exactly why someone would do this as a perpetrator would so confidently say it makes no sense. Anyone who has been bullied let alone in the situation she was in could imagine whether they agree or not.

[@lal2300]

‘’All publicity’’ etc and of course the payout she is expecting 🤨! Too afraid to speak up but has previously ranted about anything and everything and is touting her story around every media outlet 🤨! Hoping the BBC will pay her off maybe 🤔?

[@laurenking9524]

Wanting a payout doesn’t make someone shallow. Where do you think the societal notion of people who want money compensation are therefore somehow scamming or shallow comes from? We are all influenced greatly by the corporations who don’t want to have to pay anything plus it shows an acceptance of guilt on record in some way.. I’m not saying it can’t be true, but why is it even an issue when it’s so not provable and there are more outrageous things being/have been done to that person. Seems suspicious to me like a redirect of focus. On top of all that, money is a fact of life and why shouldn’t she want it? It doesn’t mean it’s a major reason to speak up, just part of the equation plus as I said it’s the worlds language for culpable. Even if we are as a society going to take the stance of not believing her and invalidating hers (and many others) voice and experience, there would be easier ways to get the money generally especially as a highly hireable actress. It’s not like she wasn’t doing well on the show too. For the top 1-5%, the greater society are easier to pit, as disgruntled citizens, us against each other than to be accountable or liable

[@sueleadbetter7104]

What I just don't get she said it started 3hrs into training why stay on the show 😡

[@sallywright8065]

Exactly!

[@gaskellr44]

Obviously had her reasons, prob hoped it was a one off, but she did go to the BBC soon after and she said, they said they were terribly shocked by it. She's probably a tough cookie and didnt want to leave the show as she loves it, but as PTSD is an anxiety disorder that has a delayed reaction, it hit her later.

[@sandragoss62]

I’ve had to leave three jobs in childcare due to my whistleblowing. It’s truly an impossible situation in any area of work.

[@beepboop9464]

Whistleblowing in childcare? Why would you have to leave if you haven't done anything wrong?

[@imalwaysright]

@@beepboop9464 workplace politics and bad people

[@daniellefrancis1476]

@@beepboop9464because people bully you when you ‘grass’ on them or their friends.

[@sandragoss62]

@@beepboop9464 because the people I worked with turned on me and ostracized me which made a very uncomfortable working environment. People truly have no idea how their children are treated.

[@sandragoss62]

@@beepboop9464 there’s a small number of childcare workers that are there because it’s vocation. Others shouldn’t be there and I have no idea why they stay or chose that profession.

[@tingliasmr]

Death threats should be taken seriously and the trolls should take a long hard look in the mirror and think about how they'd want to be treated if they were in Amanda's shoes.Imagine how she feels worrying about about her kids safety when they go out the door everyday. The police need to look into that and trolls should shut up and leave her and her family in peace. The BBC should create a safe space for anyone to come forward and SCD needs to carry on and not let a bad apple spoil a national treasure that everyone loves.

[@SSuillin]

@@tingliasmr sorry but th BBC has failed Britain time and time again and engaged in some really reprehensible behaviour. It should have been told to stop demanding the TV licence after the Saville findings..up to their necks in that.

[@lynnnorbury4424]

O my god

[@bridgetmcpherson8073]

Why is this a public forum for a private matter that is still an active and all parties need to stop making this a public forum.

[@laurenking9524]

Unfortunately it’s partially because that system left unchecked has the power to hide and sweep stuff that makes them look bad and lose money away… common sense. It’s why the press exists originally. Is it also abused, yes. But to say nothing should be brought out in public and that courts decide truth is just ignorant or wilfully misleading.

[@martinataylor7702]

I really think we need to all wait until the truth comes out and I don't mean she is not telling the truth but right now it's just her saying one thing he's saying one thing so I think we all just need to wait and it will all come out in the end

[@bluebell995]

It’s not just her saying it

[@polizfreakz]

There's an air of Roxanne Pallet about Amanda. I don't think anyone who's been bullied or had any type of trauma happen to them would be speaking about it with a smile on their face.

[@gaskellr44]

Thats because you obviously have little life experience, as to compare her to R P is ridiculous.

[@user-ig4hw5vo8g]

The way Amanda has been treated is appalling - the BBC have a duty of care and have let her down . The BBC have used professional dancers with no dance teacher experience. Clearly there was a problem in some partnership and they refused to listen .

[@rjpender70]

Hang on...there's 2 sides to every story though...

[@laurenking9524]

The comments from the public and some professionals shock me. I can only hope it’s dissociation and ignorance and immaturity. I worry for humanity seeing how shallow peoples minds are.

[@lal2300]

@@laurenking9524agreed but calling her shallow, is probably incorrect, more conniving I think. She is after a pay-out 🤔

[@laurenking9524]

@@lal2300 wanting a payout doesn’t make someone shallow. Where do you think the societal notion of people who want money compensation are therefore somehow scamming or shallow comes from? We are all influenced greatly by the corporations who don’t want to have to pay anything plus it shows an acceptance of guilt on record in some way.. I’m not saying it can’t be true, but why is it even an issue when it’s so not provable and there are more outrageous things being/have been done to that person. Seems suspicious to me like a redirect of focus. On top of all that, money is a fact of life and why shouldn’t she want it? It doesn’t mean it’s a major reason to speak up, just part of the equation plus as I said it’s the worlds language for culpable. Even if we are as a society going to take the stance of not believing her and invalidating hers (and many others) voice and experience, there would be easier ways to get the money generally especially as a highly hireable actress. It’s not like she wasn’t doing well on the show too. For the top 1-5%, the greater society are easier to pit, as disgruntled citizens, us against each other than to be accountable or liable.

[@alexhaynes7220]

We do not know and don’t know what has happened and went and go and gone on at all it’s innocent until proven guilty

[@buleberryjam177gaming7]

Something is totally off re Amanda Abbington never liked her as an actress. Her insta posts were mostly ranting about everything so this doesn't seem much different.

[@lukefrancis6628]

Does this woman ever stop playing the victim?

[@samuelcraig]

"that's all I did'' while doing the rounds on SM and MSM

[@bluebell995]

Good for her - why should she stay silent

[@samuelcraig]

@@bluebell995 100% but there's always three sides to a story. Her side, his side and the truth

[@dianewallace993]

I cannot believe that grown adults accepted this so called abuse whilst smiling non stop throughout the training period etc. I am sure I would have made my feelings known at the time with or without a space to do so if I was not happy!

[@Michael-wx7dr]

Amanda did do that. She left the show and complained and got relentlessly attacked for it. If Zara had left the show and done the same thing, she would have been attacked for that too.

[@imalwaysright]

that's not how real life works LOL

[@alisonstuart2784]

She said in the Ch4 interview that she wants financial compensation.

[@guypainter]

There's a bankruptcy carnival coming to town, and heading the parade is the Compensation Bandwagon.

[@monicas2269]

If all this 'physical violence' was apparently going on and involving more than one complaint, why did these people carry on with the training? Surely they could have just walked out and said they didn't want to carry on or that it was too hard.

[@crazycatpetera1404]

She didn’t.. she left the show 😂

[@S_J_banana]

because they were getting paid large amounts of money to be there

[@rjpender70]

Absolutely...I'd have gone right away

[@rjpender70]

5 weeks later

[@joanie3452]

Would you walk out of your job with bills to pay, I doubt it.

[@Age-Rebel]

These women would feel obligated to support her. Otherwise backlash. I thought panel were biased and cowardly. The investigation is still ongoing and the woman is getting in there first, doing the rounds and talking about what sounds a dire play.

[@imalwaysright]

no they don't. They're merely responding. "Going in first" is a weird thing to say. She is the one who made complaints, of course she is going to be first LOL

[@imalwaysright]

The comments section showing how toxic and abusive the Strictly fandom is

[@ColmKelly-p9d]

Judi, gonna talk about Graziano who was your partner who used physical violence against Zara. just gonna stay quiet huh Judi

[@lenasims3085]

What is there for her to say? Is she Graziano mouthpiece?

[@memecakes4436]

Lol 😂 what physical violence.

[@Michael-wx7dr]

@@memecakes4436 Graziano has already admitted to hitting and kicking Zara. Or does violent abuse to women just not matter to you?

[@johndobbins2606]

@@Michael-wx7drshe said she had a positive experience as did Kim marsh !!griaz made a really bad decision and now has to live with the repercussions

[@robedwards6096]

Innocdnt until proven guilty in this country

[@user-rl8mq9uf7b]

Poor Amanda shes so lovely I've seen her on stage very talented and a lovely actress I first saw her in Sherlock Holmes and she was wonderful in it I hope we can see her dance again in the future and I wish her well

[@annecc11]

Did Amanda report her feelings to the Strictly organisers before going public ? Strictly Come Dancing helps me get through autumn after our glorious summers and is a great lead-up to Christmas. Swan

[@JHughes-zz7rg]

Were the BBC aware of Amanda's Anti Trans Tweets she made while she was on Strictly! I was horrified and many Trans People would hAve been deeply her by her tweets! She left Strictly the following week after her Twests! I'm confused!

[@margueritahancock5472]

She is an attention seeker you found hard work to much you took the money she has been on every show and everytime she adds something else on to her story giovanni has done nothing wrong what are you believing what she says Giovanni has suppose to have done she was asked to wait until the investigation was over which Giovanni has not been on shows talking about this its hard work trying to get the training finished to go live she could not hack the work which is very hard she should have handed the thousands of pounds back and said sooner this is to much like hard work for me but no she is trying to destroy Giovanni going on every show she can spinning her sideof the storyl hope Giovanni clears his namebecause he said he wont stop until he doesa guilty man would not spend thousands on lawyers if he was guilty only thing he is guilty of is working hard it is a competition she acts like she was in the middle of a warzone🙄

[@bluepeter128]

Of which in the USA, they’re switch on when it’s suits them..

[@helenabright5741]

Enough already. 🤥

[@richardcoffer4758]

What about all the lies and abuse she's crested about others? If it's not for her, it's not for her it's against her, if it's not easy, she's not interested.typical queen. Jog on.

[@SSuillin]

I think some ppl have made horrible suggestions that she made it all up, as if she'd endanger her kids lives when people are psychotic out there and could come after them and threatened to. I will say that I didnt like her because she said sterotypical and nasty things about trans rights and people. also to a commenter below Laura whitmore queen of being absolutely vain has gone on to voice her opinion agreeing with Amanda. this is the same Irish woman who took a job on emotionally cruel Love island - two of its contestants THAT WE KNOW for sure as maybe more took their lives from the disposable fame they got by doing the uk version of that show. Whitmore is a classic hypocrite.

[@lynnnorbury4424]

She is nothing.

[@johndasilva2686]

Bullying is wrong. Strictly dancing should be axed immediately. Bring back come dancing.

[@sharonmccallig9685]

Amanda should be careful she doesn’t get sued. I think she went into this with issues. Perhaps she wasn’t up to the training in the first instance. Just my thoughts.

[@dajuiceman8870]

In that Lorraine interview, the second the statement about Amanda’s initial claims not matching what she’s currently now saying is brought up, the interviewer completely shifts to speaking about alleged death threats she’s received instead of asking her about why her story changed so drastically. This is notable because Amanda’s Twitter mentions are completely public, and there’s no evidence of any threatening messages at all.

[@gaysy1st]

If this matter is under investigation, I doubt that she'd be allowed legally to show those messages on the internet. Don't assume.

[@dajuiceman8870]

@@gaysy1st But if no one has actually seen any of these death threats, and there are none in Amanda’s public profile, people definitely have a right to question her claims as claiming you’ve received death threats from vague and unnamed people is an excellent way to garner sympathy. Use critical thinking.

[@alanhudson-x4q]

amander abbington doing a amaber heard lieing

[@jgswag]

Amanda this isn't Giovanni's fault!!!!

[@hil210]

we dont know what went on but learning to dance with a professional dancer is going to be hard going , it takes a strong dedicated person to keep up ,but if it was so bad why did she not speak up at the time or just walk out give the pay back none makes sense she wasn’t held hostage

[@gaysy1st]

She DID walk out.

[@NickiBrand2757]

She DID speak up and she did walk out. Might I suggest reading a wee bit about a topic before commenting?

[@hil210]

@@NickiBrand2757 not that interested just said my point as it came up , I won’t get up the wall about THIS 😊

[@gaskellr44]

she did, keep up.

[@gaskellr44]

@@hil210 do you also cross roads without looking too?

[@winstonmorgan6452]

She seems emotionally unstable and calculated. Surley Giovanni is not narcissistic. He danced with Rose Ailing Ellis who is def and won that year. Also Debbie Mcgee comes to mind, how good was she. Something aint right

[@gaskellr44]

Bullies pick on the weak, he obviously sniffed it out of the ones he selected for abuse.

[@jane9875]

shoe has had its day it was a great dating show

[@ceeg88]

Hahaha 😂😂😂

[@KarenDiclemente]

Agree- strictly needs to be axed it's gone on too long

[@22Phantasm]

Not everybody loves 'strictly'. Stop talking for everyone... This happens on so many occasions and on so many programmes.

[@russellsalmon7591]

He could feel the same about her being difficult, why didn’t she just go.

[@theresaguilfoyle5795]

Because she is a professional

[@johnbarter3446]

Amanda Abbington never heard of you !

[@hailstone2554]

Simple film all the training,no questions no ambiguity.

[@gaysy1st]

They are filmed.

[@emmapj4062]

Jeez has there been any rv persons whos not been on that show 😅

[@rociobarreto9563]

i believe Amanda...

[@patriciaduffy3501]

Amanda isn't well, I think her previous heart break hasn't helped. PTSD give me a break, soldiers fighting for this country suffer PTSD!!

[@johnbarter3446]

Nobody's interested in Strictly come Dancing it's a lousy programme!

[@gaskellr44]

You speaking for everyone are you?

[@chrisdownie6447]

during her interview on lorraine u could tell christine lampard didnt believe a word she said. This woman has ruined a young mans life for her own ego and self importance

[@_LilacRoses]

Yeah I immediately got the sense that Christine very obviously didn't believe her...was quite awkward, really.

[@hannahsmith4007]

No one asked him to leave??? No one was baying for his blood. So how has she ruined his life unless there is actually an ounce of truth in it?

[@alanhudson-x4q]

agree you said christine lampard did nt believe a word she said this woman has ruined a young mans life for her own ego and self imortance to me amanda abbington doing a amber heard

[@gaskellr44]

Won't be ruined if he can prove his innocence, but he wont because he will be found guilty.

[@kimcornelissen1529]

@@hannahsmith4007 How about losing his job on Strictly come dancing a third season of his travel show with Anton du beck

[@alisonstuart2784]

Kay, 6 complaints is not a 'deluge'.

[@nickiportsmouth5767]

😡

[@loveanimals969]

Why did she stay on the show? I don't understand why people take part in something, and then complain later. LEAVE the moment you are not happy. It's simple! Don't stay and then complain!!!

[@johnking5174]

She left after 5 weeks, she wanted to win. She wanted to do well. She thought Giovanni would change his style, but apparently it got worse to the point where she dropped out.

[@loveanimals969]

@@johnking5174 I understand whe wanted to win and do well, but she should have left immediately.

[@stuartt455]

Then people would probably have moaned she threw in the towel too early and should have stuck around and given him a second chance to do better.

[@rjpender70]

Exactly 5 weeks !!! I wouldn't have stayed 5 minutes.

[@gaysy1st]

At least get your facts right. She DID leave the show.

[@JohnSmith-tb8kh]

🥱

[@johngalvin3124]

Biased women

[@stevebutters7646]

Case of someone not wanting to train hard

[@memecakes4436]

Exactly shes whining

[@Charl250]

She is an actress so she can play emotions and fake tears. But the sad thing is that she said she had "mild ptsd" not being funny but think what soldiers/ex soldiers go throw on a daily basis and then even when they leave the forces the trauma of living those days being in war etc and someone who just simply won't put the effort in and offcourse the world of Dance won't be easy to learn straight away. Theses have been training since they were 3 or 4 years old and these "celebrities" have just ripped that away from that for some of the dancers being on Strictly Come Dancing is there goal and they rip it away just because they can't be bothered to do hard work!

[@hannahsmith4007]

She’s an actress? She’s used to long hours and being under pressure. Tf are you on about?

[@NickiBrand2757]

@@Charl250 Her "mild PTSD" wasn't a self diagnosis. A doctor diagnosed her. I wonder if the suspicion that she's faking it all for some unspecified gain, is less about her being an actor, and more about her being a woman. Think of your favourite male actor making a complaint about something. Would your first thought be, "he's an actor so he can play emotions and fake tears"? No, you'd more likely think he was a top bloke, and take what he said at face value.

[@Charl250]

@NickiBrand2757 My point was if she decided to go on a Dance show so she should of expected it going to be hard it was never going to be a walk in the park. And my point about the ptsd you have soldiers etc on the front line witnessing trauma seeing there fellow soldiers die infront of them etc every since day and yet she couldn't cope with a Dance show that she signed up for but yet it wasn't that bad to survive 5 weeks+get paid alot and then basically say after each Dance it's great and working hard and got a wonderful man etc just proves how some of theses "celebrities" can't hack hard work and are 2 faced. Yeah the training must be hard I won't deny that but theses "celebrities etc" signed up for it! It has nothing to do whether she is a male or female😒 if it was that hard like she said then quit after 3 days not 5weeks!🤔 I watched about 2mins of the interviews she is doing and I could barely see a tear in sight, theses Dancers have been dancing for most of their lives. Theses "celebrities" simply dont want to do hardwork like Steve backshaw saying Ola Jordan bullied him not being funny he fight snakes etc on a daily basis and maybe Ola was just telling him what to do. now it's how to join the bandwagon!

[@theresaguilfoyle5795]

BBC Jimmy Saville

[@robertfranklin214]

Perhaps she should audition for oldies love island they lay about doing nothing right up her street

[@SSuillin]

I think some ppl have made horrible suggestions that she made it all up, as if she'd endanger her kids lives when people are psychotic out there and could come after them and threatened to. I will say that I didnt like her because she said sterotypical and nasty things about trans rights and people. also to a commenter below Laura whitmore queen of being absolutely vain has gone on to voice her opinion agreeing with Amanda. this is the same Irish woman who took a job on emotionally cruel Love island - two of its contestants THAT WE KNOW for sure as maybe more took their lives from the disposable fame they got by doing the uk version of that show. Whitmore is a classic hypocrite.