Amanda Abbington shares a laugh with When It Happens To You? director Jez Bond during rehearsals as Giovanni Pernice is 'hit by fresh legal action from the actress'
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Amanda Abbington brushed off her Giovanni Pernice Strictly drama as she threw herself into rehearsals for her show When It Happens To You in London on Friday.
The actress, 50, is said to be considering fresh legal action against the Italian dancer, 33, after he reportedly refused to release their Strictly rehearsal videos.
Emerging from the Park Theatre, Amanda was pictured in fits of giggles as director Jez Bond threw his arm around her for an outing to a coffee shop.
The Sherlock star cut a casual figure in a dark T-shirt and jeans.
Amanda leads the cast in the thriller and will take on the role of Tara in the true story about a mother trying to hold her family together after a devastating event changes the course of their lives.
Amanda Abbington brushed off her Giovanni Pernice Strictly drama as she threw herself into rehearsals for her new show When It Happens To You in London on Friday
Emerging from the Park Theatre, Amanda was pictured in fits of giggles as director Jez Bond threw his arm around her for an outing to a coffee shop
The actress, 50, is said to be considering fresh legal action against the Italian dancer, 33, after he reportedly refused to release their rehearsal videos
Rosie Day, who has been cast as Tara's daughter, was also seen leaving the theatre.
Rehearsals are in full swing for the play which will open on Wednesday 31 July and run for a month.
It comes amid reports Amanda's lawyers believe the tapes will support misconduct accusations against the dancer as the BBC continues to investigate.
Giovanni has denied all allegations made against him.
The Sun claim Strictly insiders wondered 'what he had to hide' after he is said to have blocked the release of training footage with Amanda.
A source told the publication: 'Amanda and her legal team asked to have access to the tapes. The BBC contacted Giovanni and his legal team to get their consent but they refused.
'Amanda's legal team are now weighing up an appeal to the Information Commissioner's Office to get access to the evidence as they think it is vital in helping support her claims.
'He claims the allegations are false — she insists they will validate every one of her grievances. To be clear, the BBC are reviewing the tapes and taking them very seriously. But there are data implications to them ever being leaked so they are in an unenviable position.'
The Sherlock star cut a casual figure in a dark T-shirt and jeans
Amanda leads the cast in the thriller and will take on the role of Tara in true story about a mother trying to hold her family together after a devastating event
Rosie Day, who has been cast as Tara's daughter, was also seen leaving the theatre
Rehearsals are in full swing for the play which will open on Wednesday 31 July and run for a month
The cast enjoyed a break ahead of the show opening later this month
Amanda appeared in great spirits as she got stuck into rehearsals
The latest legal development comes after it was revealed the accusations have now widened after more complaints surrounding the hit show
Giovanni faces an even longer wait for an outcome after Amanda, Laura Whitmore (pictured) and Ranvir Singh all came forward to complain about their dance partner
MailOnline have contacted both the BBC and Giovanni's representatives for comment.
The latest legal development comes after it was revealed the accusations have now widened after more complaints surrounding the hit show.
'Having the Giovanni complaint has been a big enough issue, but now it looks like there is more to be scrutinised and looked into.'
Sources close to Giovanni say that he fully expects to be exonerated.
Insiders say also that the widened inquiry will now present Giovanni as possibly being a 'small fish' in Strictly's potential downfall.
In May it was revealed that Amanda had instructed London law firm Carter Ruck to represent her against the BBC.
The BBC previously refused to comment on the matter but it did confirm in a statement that more than one complaint has been made.
It was revealed last week that a plea was made online for anyone involved in the show at any time in the past two decades to come forward and speak to the BBC if they had experienced any bad behaviour.
Writing in The TV Mindset, a social media forum for TV industry workers, an anonymous member insisted: 'It is important to hear as many accounts as possible from others who were treated inappropriately, had grievances, or potentially identify others that were.
The chaos surrounding the show was said to be typified by the surprise announcement on Monday that former fan favourite Aljaz Skorjanec (pictured) would be returning to the show
'This is crucial in supporting Amanda's case, as well as potentially anyone else's. It is also ultimately to support all freelancers and the industry as a whole by standing up to such practices.'
Giovanni launched a fightback by hiring rival law firm Schillings. His case is being handled by Joelle Rich, 39, who represented Johnny Depp in his libel trial in 2020.
A spokesman for Giovanni said: 'Schillings is engaging with BBC Studios to provide it with Giovanni's evidence to strongly rebut the claims being made about him and confirm Giovanni is fully cooperating.
'As with any reality TV show, when decisions are being made for entertainment reasons, the producers have a duty of care to all participants.'
Giovanni also shared a post to Instagram detailing that he was 'totally surprised' by the allegations, which he denies.
He said in a statement: 'You will be as surprised as I am that allegations have been made about my dance teaching methods in the media this week.
'Of course, I reject any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour, and I look forward to clearing my name.
'Those who have followed my journey on Strictly Come Dancing over the last decade will know that I am passionate and competitive. No-one is more ambitious for my dance partners than me.
'I have always striven to help them be the very best dancers they can be. This has always come from a place of love and wanting to win - for me and my dance partners.
'Thank you all once again for your continued love and support!'
The chaos now surrounding the show was said to be typified by the surprise announcement on Monday that former fan favourite the dancer Aljaz Skorjanec would be returning show after a two-year absence.
It comes a month after the full line up of professional dancers for the next series was announced by the Corporation.
Some within the show have questioned why he was not unveiled alongside with the other professionals – particularly because the Beeb left fans waiting for some weeks following Giovanni's departure before putting the final list out.
Insiders also noted that the Press were not given a heads up – instead, the announcement was made on the BBC's own magazine programme, The One Show, on Monday evening.
One source said: 'Usually when something like this happens the BBC give the wider media a heads up but this time the first anyone knew of it was a chat with Aljaz on The One Show and then it was quietly put up on the BBC's press centre at 7.30pm the same day.
'It meant that the announcement was in keeping with the narrative the BBC wanted, no questions were asked as to why he was being unveiled now.'
A BBC spokesman said of the widened investigation last night: 'We recently issued a statement urging the media not to indulge in speculation about complaints related to a high profile show and that position remains the same.'
