Laura Whitmore has shared her thoughts after the BBC announced the results of a six-month investigation into misconduct allegations against her former Strictly professional dance partner Giovanni Pernice.
The 29-year-old former Love Island host - who was partnered with the Italian dancer back in 2016 - was one of the stars who spoke to the BBC as part of its probe after what she described as his 'inappropriate' behaviour on the show.
Whitmore claimed that she first raised concerns back in 2016 and in August 2024, she accused the broadcaster of “gaslighting” her over her experience with Pernice.
Taking to social media after the results of their findings were published, Whitmore wrote: "'I hope this helps people realise they should not be subjected to abusive behaviour in the workplace.
"Things can be twisted online and there's so much more to this but in black and white there were complaints upheld and an apology made. And the perpetrator no longer works for the channel."
50-year-old actress Amanda Abbington - who was paired with Pernice on last year’s show and withdrew from the dance competition after just five weeks - was the celebrity whose allegations sparked the investigation.
On Monday, the BBC said it had assessed and “upheld some, but not all” of her complaints about Pernice’s behaviour during her time on the show.
Abbington, who pulled out of the BBC One show last year citing “personal reasons”, later claimed she was subject to a “toxic environment” and “inappropriate, mean, nasty bullying”.
Pernice, who was not part of this year’s Strictly professional dancing line-up and has since joined an Italian dance show, previously rejected “any claim of threatening or abusive behaviour”.
The BBC issued a statement saying: “We have assessed the complaints and we have upheld some, but not all, of the complaints made. We want to apologise to Amanda Abbington and to thank her for coming forward and taking part. We know this would not have been an easy thing to do.
“At the time, although the production team took steps to address the issues as they understood them, ultimately these were not enough. This is why the measures we have taken to further strengthen our existing protocols are so important.”
In response, Abbington said the verdict was a “vindication of my complaint” and “the other people who have contacted me since... to express concerns about their own experiences on Strictly Come Dancing”.
Whitmore - who is the wife of comedian Iain Stirling - was then one of the first people to publicly support the Sherlock star as she shared her 'own experience'. At the time, she took to Instagram to recount her time on the show being partnered with Pernice.
In a lengthy online post, she penned: "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."
The mum-of-one continued: "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."
A spokeswoman for Pernice welcomed the findings of the review, saying they are "pleased that this six-month review has not found any evidence of threatening or abusive behaviour by Giovanni".
"Giovanni is relieved that the overwhelming majority of allegations put to the BBC have not been upheld and looks forward to continuing his work on Dancing With The Stars in Italy this season," she added.
There were no findings relating to physical aggression, but complaints of swearing and giving negative feedback were upheld, it has been reported, with 11 out of the 17 allegations levelled at Pernice thrown out.
