Television presenter Laura Whitmore has come forward with allegations of “inappropriate behaviour” she experienced while on the popular show Strictly Come Dancing. Whitmore, who was partnered with professional dancer Giovanni Pernice in 2016, claims she raised concerns about the behavior at the time.
In a recent Instagram story, Whitmore revealed that she was asked to speak to the BBC about her experience, along with six other individuals who had similar encounters with the same person. While Whitmore did not name the individual in question, she emphasized the importance of speaking up to prevent such behavior from happening again.
Whitmore stated, “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.” She also clarified that she had not made an official complaint but was providing evidence to support the BBC’s investigation.
The allegations come in the wake of similar claims made by actress Amanda Abbington, who partnered with Pernice in 2023 and accused him of “abusive” behavior. Pernice has denied these allegations and is cooperating with the BBC’s review process.
The BBC has announced measures to strengthen welfare and support on the show, including the presence of a chaperone during training room rehearsals. BBC Director General Tim Davie has also apologized to Strictly contestants for any abusive behavior they may have experienced, stating that the BBC will “never tolerate unacceptable behavior of any kind.”
As the investigation continues, the BBC has urged against speculation and emphasized its commitment to ensuring a safe and respectful environment for all participants on Strictly Come Dancing.
