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The real reason I stood by Giovanni Pernice after Amanda Abbington's bullying accusations: What he confided in me, the audience's reaction to him... and why I believe he'll be back on Strictly: ANTON DU BEKE
Strictly judge Anton Du Beke reveals how he helped his beleaguered friend Giovanni Pernice through his darkest hour as he faced bullying accusations
Anton is here with the team from his new podcast Putt & Strut, in which he and Sky Sports presenter Sarah Stirk chat with the likes of Judy Murray, Jodie Kidd and James Nesbitt about their love of the game that is currently frustrating the hell out of me. But it also brings us straight to the heart of the matter when it comes to the BBC's flagship show, because of claims that some professional dancers – including his own close friend Giovanni Pernice – have taken the opposite approach and been horrible to their celebrity pupils. Only six of her 17 complaints were upheld after a nine-month BBC inquiry, which found Giovanni had engaged in verbal bullying and harassment including inappropriate language, but had not been physically aggressive.
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