Amanda Abbington ‘struggling to sell’ tickets for new stage show amid Giovanni Pernice Strictly scandal
AMANDA Abbington is struggling to sell tickets for her new small London stage show.
The Sherlock actress, 50, is appearing in the production of When It Happens To You at the Park Theatre in north London.
But less than half the venue’s 200 seats have been sold on many dates.
On opening night Wednesday (July 31), more than a dozen empty seats were spotted.
This comes as a shock as traditionally it’s one of the biggest nights in a show’s run.
Amanda’s debut for the show comes after a harrowing couple of months following her Strictly Come Dancing experience last year.
She is currently waiting for the BBC to reveal the outcome of its internal investigation into her alleged mistreatment on the show.
The star claimed she was bullied by professional dancer Giovanni Pernice.
She branded the dancer as “nasty” and said she suffered mild PTSD from working with him.
Meanwhile, details have emerged of a secret audio recording of the duo’s training sessions, leading to a misconduct investigation.
A source close to Amanda told the Sun: “This tape has been billed as bombshell evidence, however it’s the type of everyday discussions that go on between partners and pros that go on in rehearsals, which can, obviously, be very fraught.
“The idea that this is some kind of ‘smoking gun’ that will exonerate Giovanni from his alleged behaviour is absurd.
“The transcript is just dialogue between the pair, Amanda is being self-deprecating and was clearly trying to cope in a difficult situation, she had no idea Giovanni was secretly recording her.“
The results of the investigation are expected to be revealed sometime next week and Giovanni is confident it will clear his name.
Giovanni Pernice Strictly scandal timeline
October 2023: Amanda abruptly withdraws from Strictly having already missed one live show. Her departure is announced in a vague BBC statement that ‘wishes her the best’.
Giovanni posts a short message on social media addressing the exit, which read: “Amanda… I am so sad we can’t continue but I am proud of what we achieved and I am sending you so much love.”
Amanda then shares her own farewell statement on Instagram thanking co-stars but failing to mention Gio.
Giovanni’s dad Piero insists there were no signs of a fall out and the pairing could have gone all the way. He praised his son as kind and polite.
November 2023: Giovanni is reportedly gutted by the situation and is considering his Strictly future as questions are raised about his conduct.
January 2024: Amanda’s PTSD diagnosis comes to light and she demands CCTV from rehearsals to prove that Giovanni’s training methods weren’t acceptable.
The BBC issues a statement defending its duty of care to contestants, insisting it takes any claims of wrongdoing very seriously.
The Corporation stands by its man after emergency meeting
March 2024: Giovanni publicly states he has no intention of leaving Strictly in a TV interview with close pal Anton du Beke.
Ranvir Singh and Laura Whitmore enter the picture. Allegedly the two celebs, who were both previously partnered with Giovanni on Strictly, didn’t feel the BBC took their issues with his methods seriously enough.
The pair have a closed meeting with Amanda where tears are said to be shed.
May 2024: We reveal Giovanni is leaving the programme after having talks with show bosses
He leaves the country with girlfriend Molly Brown on holiday
The BBC launches an internal investigation after three complainants instruct lawyers. A source describes it as a “nightmare situation”.