-Credit: (Image: BBC)

Strictly Come Dancing’s Giovanni Pernice reportedly believes that a secret recording of his training sessions with Amanda Abbington will clear his name after being accused of ‘bullying’ behaviour on the BBC show.

The six-and-a-half minute exchange is believed to have been recorded in the final weeks of the pair’s time on the show last year, according to The Sun. In the recording, Amanda reportedly says “I know I’m a nightmare” and “You probably feel like throwing me out of a window”.

The audio – which allegedly includes the pair saying “love you” – is reportedly being considered as “bombshell evidence” by Giovanni’s team which will disprove Amanda’s allegations that the Italian dancer was “abusive, cruel and mean” whilst training Amanda on the show. Giovanni has firmly denied all allegations made against him.

Speaking to The Sun, a source close to Amanda said: “This tape has been billed as bombshell evidence, however it’s the type of everyday discussions that go on between partners and pros that go on in rehearsals, which can, obviously, be very fraught. The idea that this is some kind of ‘smoking gun’ that will exonerate Giovanni from his alleged behaviour is absurd.

Amanda Abbington competed on Strictly with Giovanni Pernice last year -Credit:BBC/Guy Levy
“The transcript is just dialogue between the pair, Amanda is being self-deprecating and was clearly trying to cope in a difficult situation, she had no idea Giovanni was secretly recording her.” OK! has reached out to the BBC and the representatives of Giovanni Pernice and Amanda Abbington for comment.

The news follows Amanda Abbington’s revelatory interview with Channel 4 News last week, in which she alleged that six Strictly Come Dancing stars had complained about Giovanni Pernice. In the chat with Krishnan Guru-Murthy, she said: “I know a lot of people went in to speak to them. I’m the official complainer. I think there’s about five or six (other complainants) from what I can gather, but there’s three main people, who’ve made complaints, mine’s the official one.”

A spokesperson for the BBC said: “Anyone involved in a complaint has a right to confidentiality and fair process and therefore it would be inappropriate to comment further on individuals. However, when issues are raised with us we always take them extremely seriously and have appropriate processes in place to manage this. As we have said before, we would urge people not to indulge in speculation.”

Amanda tearfully opened up about her experience with Giovanni on Strictly in a Channel 4 News interview last week -Credit:ITV News
They emphasized that both the BBC and BBC Studios hold their duty of care in high regard, regularly reviewing and updating processes on shows like Strictly Come Dancing and stating: “We would urge people not to indulge in speculation.”

Continuing on duty of care, the spokesperson highlighted: “More generally, the BBC and BBC Studios takes duty of care extremely seriously. Our processes on Strictly Come Dancing are updated every year, they are kept under constant review and last week we announced additional steps to further strengthen welfare and support on the show.”

Meanwhile, Giovanni Pernice’s representative said in response: “We are cooperating fully with the BBC’s review process. All parties have been asked to respect this process and to not speak to the media before it concludes. We will continue to respect the integrity of the investigation and believe it is the right forum for all the evidence to be reviewed.

“As part of the evidence-led review, the BBC has shared the allegations they have been able to substantiate with us. They do not resemble Amanda’s latest allegations, given to Channel 4, in any shape or form. Giovanni refutes any claim of threatening or abusive behaviour, and having provided the BBC with his evidence, is confident that the review will prove this.”