BBC bosses are facing a “ticking time bomb” over the Strictly investigation, insiders revealed last night.
The Beeb is racing to conclude the Giovanni Pernice/Amanda Abbington probe before the new series on September 14.
Actress Amanda Abbington, 50 — whose complaint against the Italian star triggered a damaging public furore — is braced for a verdict.
Meanwhile, Gio, who quit the show in May, this week shared a photo of himself on a yacht in Sicily, captioning it: “September.”
Contestants and BBC employees have set up a WhatsApp group in readiness for the findings.
It is understood more will speak out depending on the verdict.
A source told The Sun last night: “The BBC is under huge pressure to get this probe done and dusted before September 14 when the new series kicks off.
“It’s a ticking time bomb to get it done in time while not leaving any stone unturned.
“All evidence has been reviewed, and it is looking like we are now days away from an announcement.
“Amanda’s team are braced for the findings and know they may not go in her favour despite her handing in new evidence.
“Clearly the BBC are desperate to draw a line under all this and move on. But whatever the verdict it is clear there will be more questions for the corporation to answer and potentially even more historical complaints.
“So really, in some shape or form, the whole thing could drag on for months because the broadcaster is duty-bound to look into fresh complaints. It’s proving an incredibly thankless task.”
The report, launched at the start of the summer, has reportedly cost taxpayers over £250,000 so far.
The BBC is believed to have considered the new evidence which emerged last month at a second face-to-face meeting between Amanda and investigators.
The feeling is that while some of Amanda’s claims will be dismissed, the BBC will be unable to entirely clear Gio by the letter of strict HR guidelines.
An inappropriate video, which she is said to have taken offence to, will be hard to ignore despite protestations from Gio’s team that it was sent in jest and “banter”.
All evidence has been reviewed, and it is looking like we are now days away from an announcement
Source
But he is expected to claim he only forwarded the video after being sent it by someone else at the BBC.
A secret audio recording, in which Amanda is said to brand herself a nightmare, may also help Gio’s case.
She has had support from ex-Strictly stars while also receiving death threats from members of the public.
In May The Sun told how three former contestants instructed lawyers, triggering the probe.
Meanwhile, it is understood that several people — contestants and BBC employees past and present — will wait and see what the findings say before deciding to take their experiences forward.
‘Walking a tightrope’
If they believe the BBC has not taken the concerns raised seriously enough, then they are more likely to speak out.
A source added: “There is even thought to be a WhatsApp group which some former BBC workers are on, where they are all discussing the media reports as and when they happen.
“A couple of former staffers have been invited to talk to investigators but those who haven’t could well do so if they believe the report findings are a whitewash.
“While the BBC, of course, would like to rule in Giovanni’s favour — a man they resolutely stuck by — it is not necessarily in their express interest to do so in case they poke the bear — in this case disgruntled celebs or ex-Strictly workers. They are walking a tightrope.”
Two ex-Met officers conducted the internal probe after Sherlock actress Amanda instructed lawyers Carter-Ruck.
She formally complained about Giovanni’s alleged aggressive bullying at training.
The Italian star has always denied the allegations.
Several celebrities have said they did not enjoy their time on Strictly.
At least two, Amanda and Rachel Riley, say the show left them with post-traumatic stress disorder.
The BBC declined to comment on the Giovanni report last night.
Strictly's full scandal so far
Strictly Come Dancing's scandal has been growing over the past few months, with several major players speaking out about what went on. Here are the key moments of what's happened so far
16th May: Giovanni Pernice sensationally quits Strictly Come Dancing after nine years on the show.
17th May: Giovanni becomes the centre of an official investigation after three former partners – believed to be Amanda Abbington, Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh – make complaints to the BBC.
16th June: Giovanni releases an official statement vowing to clear his name and denies any wrongdoing.
8th July: Strictly confirms Aljaz Skorjanec will return to the series, replacing Giovanni, after initially quitting the show two years ago.
10th July: Amanda Abbington launches fresh legal proceedings to get the rehearsal footage from her time with Giovanni, after allegedly he refused to release the videos.
13th July:Graziano Di Prima is axed from Strictly for “gross misconduct” after footage of his treatment of Zara McDermott is brought to the attention of the BBC.
Graziano quickly broke his silence, apologising for his behaviour in a statement and saying he “deeply regrets it”, adding his “intense passion and determination to win might have affected his training regime.”
15th July: Strictly bosses implement new duty of care protocols, including having a chaperone present throughout all rehearsals.
16th July: Zara McDermott speaks out publicly for first time. She states while the production team were “amazing to work with”, she found the rehearsal room “completely different”, confirming there’s footage of “certain situations”.
19th July: Anton Du Beke is put under the spotlight for his “1970s attitude” and treatment of female celeb stars, particularly after allegedly referring to 2009 partner Laila Rouass as a “p***” after getting a spray tan.
21st July: Paralympian Will Bayley, who has limb condition arthrogryposis, revealed he was encouraged to leap from a table during a dance routine, despite fears. The stunt caused an injury that forced him to withdraw from the show.
22nd July: MasterChef’s Gregg Wallace admits he broke down in tears and got a nasty stress rash on his face during his time on Strictly in 2014.
22nd July: Despite ongoing issues, the Strictly professional cast begin rehearsals for this year’s series.
23rd July: Celebrity agent Melanie Blake claims she was sexually assaulted by an unnamed pro dancer while backstage on the show, and claims she witnessed ageism, rudeness and a rough treatment to the point of injury.
23rd July: Strictly is forced to beef up security after ‘an intruder scales the wall of the rehearsal studio’.
23rd July: BBC boss Tim Davie breaks his silence on the ongoing allegations against Strictly, saying he is ‘deeply sorry’, adding: “Hundreds of people, be they pros, contestants or crew have been part of it and had a brilliant experience.
“At the same time if someone thinks there was something wrong or they want to talk about their experience then of course we want them to raise that with us. Be in no doubt we will take it seriously, listen and deal with it as appropriate.”
24th July: Strictly 2023 star Krishnan Guru-Murthy holds a bombshell interview with Amanda Abbington on Channel 4 news, where she claims she was bullied, with some of the ‘humilation being of a sexual nature’.
27th July: Laura Whitmore releases a statement regarding her Strictly experience, saying “I thought my experience was specific to me but I’ve since learned I was wrong”.
She adds she is not part of the official complaint, but has come forward to support Amanda with the BBC, alongside others.
28th July: Laila Rouass speaks out against the accusations regarding Anton Du Beke, saying she “never felt pressured” by him and “personally insisted on six to seven hours training a day”.
10th August: Graziano breaks his silence on his Strictly axe, saying “these vile, false allegations have ruined my life.”
He also told of the “shocking” end to his friendship with Zara McDermott.
We also revealed that Amanda Abbington was also quizzed for a second time as Strictly execs recruited 15 new staff to monitor rehearsals.
11th August: Just as the investigation was expected to conclude, Amanda made a dramatic intervention. Giovanni was on the brink of being cleared until Amanda handed in more text messages.
24th August: Graziano Di Prima called in top lawyers to sue the BBC and to try to clear his name. He recruited big hitters Whitestone Chambers to fight his corner.
A source said: “They’ve also looked at his BBC contract and believe there are grounds to sue.”
Meanwhile, the BBC also delayed releasing the findings of the probe into Giovanni Pernice. The Sun revealed that the results of the three-month investigation were unlikely to be announced in August.