Stacey Dooley has urged people to ‘believe women when they come forward’.
The 37-year-old star, who is married to former Strictly Come Dancing pro Kevin Clifton and won the BBC Latin and ballroom competition in 2019, has responded to questions about the accusations against Giovanni Pernice.
On Sunday, the dancer issued a statement after claims that he exhibited ‘abusive or threatening behaviour’ while working on the show, and said he was ‘looking forward to clearing [his] name’.
Asked about the situation on BBC Breakfast, Stacey said: ‘What I would say is, I don’t have a friendship with Giovanni.
‘I didn’t even had a working relationship with Giovanni, and I haven’t been involved with that show for years – so it would be probably irresponsible for me to comment on that.
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‘What I would say, more broadly, is I hope all of the women involved are ok. I think, actually, separate from this – in my personal experience, I think it’s a slippery slope not to believe women when they come forward and say certain things.’
She continued: ‘I just hope they’re ok.’
Reiterating that she can’t address the accusations specifically, the broadcaster said she and her husband spend most of their time ‘on the sofa’.
‘Me and Kev, we’re so boring – we sit at home on the sofa with a cup of tea. He’s pals with a lot of the pros,’ she added. ‘But I don’t know enough about that incident to comment.’
Strictly is reported to have launched an investigation after three former contestants allegedly instructed lawyers.
According to The Sun, a spokesperson for law firm Carter Ruck said: ‘There have been numerous serious complaints made to the BBC who are now in the process of evidence gathering.
‘As it is still an ongoing matter no further comment can be made at this stage.’
In a statement shared on Instagram, Giovanni wrote: ‘To my dear fans, 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.’
The 33-year-old continued: ‘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.’
He concluded his message by writing: ‘Thank you all once again for your continued love and support! Giovanni.’
It was said that the BBC was in the process of ‘evidence gathering’, after it was claimed that three of Giovanni’s former Strictly partners – Amanda Abbington, Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh – met to ‘compare notes’ about their experiences with him on the show.
It’s claimed that ‘action was taken’ by the broadcaster when three contestants ‘complained’ after allegedly feeling ‘deeply traumatised and upset by some of his training methods and behaviour’.
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