The former Strictly Come Dancing star opened up about tension behind the scenes of the 2023 series following the public fallout between one dancing duo
Angela Rippon said the 2023 Strictly cast ‘were aware’ of the tension
Strictly Come Dancing star Angela Rippon has opened up about the drama between Giovanni Pernice and Amanda Abbington. Having been part of the 2023 series, the presenter said she witnessed first-hand the “tension” between the pair behind the scenes.
Amanda pulled out of the competition for good in week five after missing an episode due to medical reasons. She later hinted at a feud between her and Giovanni after failing to mention him in her exit statement.
In the drama that followed, the actress publicly accused her former dance partner of “unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean” behaviour during rehearsals, prompting an investigation by the BBC.
Giovanni rejected claims of threatening or abusive behaviour and welcomed the conclusion of the review. The BBC later announced it had upheld complaints of verbal bullying and harassment, though allegations of physical aggression were not upheld.
Amanda has since reached a five-figure settlement with BBC Studios and received an apology from the corporation. Discussing the public fallout, Angela said Amanda was “very distressed” behind the scenes.
“I think we were all aware of the tension between the two of them, it’s no point saying that we weren’t because we all were,” she said on the At Home with Vanessa podcast.
“But it’s not my place to really talk about it in public because Amanda was very distressed by the whole thing.”
Angela, who competed on the show with Kai Widdrington, added: “I think everybody within the crew was very distressed by the way it turned out with a very popular and very fine professional dancer and with Amanda herself, who is an absolutely lovely person. So, we were aware.”
The presenter went on to describe the public fallout as “a one off”, insisting there may have been other dancing duos who did not get on, but that such issues would usually have been dealt with privately.
Giovanni has not returned to Strictly since the allegations emerged, although he has insisted that he was not fired and that his contract simply was not renewed.
He subsequently joined the Italian version of the show, Ballando con le Stelle, where he won the 2024 series with his then-partner, now girlfriend, Bianca Guaccero.
During a recent interview on This Morning, Giovanni said he had moved on from the situation which he claimed drove him “to the brink of suicide”. Looking ahead, the dancer said he was focused on his career which includes an upcoming tour.
Meanwhile, Strictly Come Dancing 2026 has welcomed a series of changes, including three new presenters: Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe.
Five new professional dancers have also joined the line-up; Aleksandra Isaeva, Cristian Priori, Lethabo Monametsi, Maddie Ingoldsby and Mark Karmalita.
Strictly Come Dancing airs tonight at 6.15pm on BBC One
