Behind the sequins, spray tans and Saturday-night smiles, a very different drama is playing out at the BBC.
As Strictly Come Dancing quietly prepares for its 2026 return, senior executives are reportedly locked in crisis meetings, poring over nearly a decade of rehearsal footage involving former star professional Giovanni Pernice. The mood, insiders say, is not nostalgic. It is fearful.
What was once framed as a contained controversy has begun to look, once again, like a story with unfinished business — one that could yet expand into something far more damaging for the corporation’s most valuable entertainment brand.
A Scandal That Wouldn’t Stay Buried
The roots of the crisis stretch back to 2023, when actor Amanda Abbington abruptly withdrew from Strictly midway through the competition. At the time, the explanation was vague: “personal reasons.”
The truth emerged later — and it was explosive.
Abbington alleged that her rehearsals with Giovanni Pernice had descended into an atmosphere of intimidation and emotional distress. She described training sessions she characterised as “cruel, unnecessary and militant,” claiming the experience left her physically bruised, emotionally shattered, and later diagnosed with mild PTSD.
Her account shattered the show’s carefully polished image. Pernice, a hugely popular professional dancer and former Glitterball champion, denied the allegations, saying he was simply demanding, competitive, and deeply committed to excellence. He framed his approach as intensity, not abuse.
The BBC launched an internal investigation in 2024. When it concluded later that year, the findings were nuanced and deeply unsatisfying to all sides: no evidence of physical abuse, no proof of the most serious accusations — but six complaints upheld, an apology issued to Abbington, and Pernice quietly exiting the show.
Many assumed that would be the end of it.
They were wrong.
The Tapes No One Can Ignore
Now, in early 2026, BBC insiders say the corporation is revisiting the past with forensic intensity. Every available rehearsal recording featuring Pernice — spanning nine years, dozens of celebrities, and thousands of hours of footage — is reportedly being reviewed.
Why reopen old wounds?
Because, sources claim, other former partners are quietly seeking legal advice. No formal public accusations have been made, but lawyers are said to be examining options, evidence, and — crucially — unseen footage.
Some former partners have previously spoken of “difficult” or emotionally intense experiences. Others are believed to have compared notes privately. While names such as Ranvir Singh and Laura Whitmore have circulated in media speculation, neither has made public allegations. The concern inside the BBC is not what has been said — but what might still be said.
One production source described the process starkly:
“This isn’t box-ticking anymore. They’re worried about patterns. If similar behaviour appears across years, it stops being about one complaint and becomes about culture.”
A Show Under the Microscope
The timing could not be worse.
Strictly has already endured repeated welfare crises. In 2024, fellow professional Graziano Di Prima admitted to kicking partner Zara McDermott during rehearsals — an incident that forced further soul-searching and policy changes.
Since then, the BBC has introduced independent welfare producers, tighter rehearsal monitoring, mandatory breaks, and expanded psychological support. On paper, Strictly is now one of the most regulated entertainment shows on television.
But regulation does not erase the past.
Executives reportedly fear that if new claims emerge — especially if corroborated by rehearsal footage — the fallout could eclipse previous scandals and reignite questions about whether the show prioritised performance over people for far too long.
The Human Cost Behind the Glitter
Lost amid corporate strategy and legal positioning are the people who lived through it.
Abbington has spoken of delaying her wedding, struggling through what she called one of the worst years of her life, and feeling dismissed when she raised concerns. Other figures connected to the show have hinted at therapy, trauma, and regret.
Pernice, for his part, has spoken openly about the personal devastation he experienced after the allegations — describing isolation, career collapse, and public judgment. He has rebuilt his life away from the BBC, winning Italy’s Dancing with the Stars, touring internationally, and finding personal happiness. He continues to insist he was never abusive — only demanding.
Both narratives can coexist. And that, perhaps, is what makes this story so uncomfortable.
What Happens Next?
As Strictly Come Dancing heads toward its 2026 series, the ballroom lights will shine as brightly as ever. The music will swell. The judges will bicker. Millions will tune in.
But backstage, the atmosphere is far less celebratory.
Lawyers are watching. Executives are bracing. Old tapes are being replayed with new eyes. And the BBC knows that if history reveals something it missed — or failed to act on — the consequences could be severe.
This is no longer about one dancer, one celebrity, or one series.
It is about whether Strictly can finally close a chapter — or whether the past is about to dance back into the spotlight.
The glitter remains.
But the shadows are still there.
