Television presenter Laura Whitmore has alleged that she experienced "inappropriate behaviour" during her time on Strictly Come Dancing. The former Love Island host, who was partnered with professional dancer Giovanni Pernice in 2016, was the seventh celebrity to be eliminated from the show.
Whitmore, who sustained an ankle injury during the competition, claims that she "raised concerns" about the behaviour at the time. Her statement follows similar allegations made by actress Amanda Abbington, who was partnered with Pernice in 2023 and accused him of "threatening or abusive behaviour". Pernice has refuted Abbington's claims.
In an Instagram story posted on Saturday, Whitmore wrote: "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."
The 39-year-old said she was asked by the BBC to speak to them, along with six other unnamed individuals, about "inappropriate behaviour they experienced similar to mine with the same individual".
While Whitmore does not name the "individual" in her statement, she clarifies that she initially raised concerns in 2016. She states: "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."
Whitmore insists that she is "not looking for anything" but simply wants to acknowledge that the behaviour she experienced in the rehearsal rooms during her time on Strictly was wrong and that it should not happen again.
The television presenter also confirmed that she did not make an official complaint but is providing evidence of her experience to support the BBC's ongoing investigation. "I know the BBC and all outlets continue to do their best to be better, but for that to happen we must speak up," she added.
Pernice has been approached for comment. His spokesperson previously stated: "We are co-operating fully with the BBC's review process... 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."
Pernice will not be returning for the show's series this year. This follows the departure of another professional dancer, Graziano Di Prima, who admitted to kicking his partner Zara McDermott in a rehearsal last year. Di Prima has expressed deep regret for "the events that led to his departure from Strictly" and acknowledged that his "intense passion and determination to win might have affected his training regime".
In response to the ongoing allegations, the BBC has announced that it will introduce measures to "strengthen welfare and support" on the show, including a chaperone who will be present "at all times" during training room rehearsals.
The BBC has also released a statement reiterating their commitment to "duty of care" and their commitment to reviewing their processes on Strictly Come Dancing on an annual basis.
BBC Director General, Tim Davie, has apologised to Strictly contestants following complaints of abusive behaviour. He expressed "disappointment" at the allegations and reassured the public that the BBC would "never tolerate unacceptable behaviour of any kind."
