Amanda Abbington has admitted she she fears taking public transport after her bullying allegations against her Strictly partner Giovanni Pernice were made public.

The Sherlock actress, who quit the BBC dance show unexpectedly last October, confessed she feels ‘exposed and vulnerable’ when on public transport due to the online threats against her from Strictly fans.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, she explained: ‘When I’m on the train and things, I do sometimes feel exposed and vulnerable, I do, because of the nature of the threats I was getting.

‘You do feel like you’re public enemy number one for saying “I do not feel entirely happy with this”.’

The BBC show has been engulfed by drama since Giovanni was suspended after his celebrity partner Amanda accused him of abusive behaviour, saying he was ‘cruel and mean.’ He denies the claims.

+8
View gallery

Amanda Abbington has admitted she fears taking public transport as she feels ‘exposed and vulnerable’ after Strictly bullying allegations

+8
View gallery

The BBC show has been engulfed by drama since Giovanni was suspended after his celebrity partner Amanda accused him of abusive behaviour, saying he was ‘cruel and mean.’ He denies the claims

TRENDING

Amanda Abbington wears a Women’s Aid T-shirt as she leaves the theatre

4k viewing now

The real reason Ben Affleck ended marriage to Jennifer Lopez

575.6k viewing now

Huge sporting legend ‘signs up to Strictly Come Dancing’

1.1k viewing now

She also told Woman’s Hour she has been approached by others who have told her that her comments have encouraged them to be vocal in their workplaces.

She added: ‘I recognise red flags and I recognise bad behaviour, because it’s happened to me in the past, and they were coming up more and more frequently.

‘And I decided to just speak to the producers about it and say: “Look, I’m not comfortable. This is beginning to slightly get out of hand. And it’s a repeat pattern, it starts well, and then it starts to descend into chaos”.’

Amanda spoke out for the first time about the allegations in an ITV interview on Lorraine and Channel 4 interview with fellow Strictly contestant Krishnan Guru-Murthy last week.

Speaking to Christine Lampard on Lorraine she revealed how problems began early on, saying: ‘Week one, third day. I’ve got texts to the producer on day three going ‘This is awful, he hates me, I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. I’m trying my best, I promise you’. So that was the first week.’

Asked whether there were further discussions at that stage, she said: ‘Many, many.’

Amanda added: ‘It was inappropriate, it was mean, it was nasty, it was bullying and I put up with it for five, six weeks.

‘It started very early on and when it started to happen I would shut down because I recognised those red flags.

+8
View gallery

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, she explained: ‘When I’m on the train and things, I do sometimes feel exposed and vulnerable, I do, because of the nature of the threats I was getting’

She added: ‘I recognise red flags and I recognise bad behaviour, because it’s happened to me in the past, and they were coming up more and more frequently’

Amanda Abbington slams Strictly Come Dancing’s ‘toxic environment’, so I would shut down and it would be difficult to get in, and that would be a self-fulfilling prophecy.’

Talking about her schedule on the show, she said: ‘I was going into the rehearsal room every day. I’ve been in rehearsal rooms for 32 years.’

Read More

Amanda Abbington makes her debut performance in play When It Happens To You

Amanda explained that she was currently working in a rehearsal room ahead of her forthcoming play ‘When it Happens to You’, which begins at the Park Theatre in London on July 31.

And she described rehearsal rooms as ‘one of the most beautiful, safe spaces’, adding: ‘I know what rehearsal rooms are supposed to be life.

‘I don’t care what background you’re from – whether it’s dancing, acting, singing – you have a duty of care to bring into that rehearsal room compassion, understanding, sensitivity and kindness.

‘And that wasn’t extended to me (at Strictly). And so I just said I don’t think this is right.’

Amanda made her debut in her new play When It Happens To You at the Park Theatre in London on Wednesday night.

She reportedly broke down in tears during her performance in her first acting role since she dramatically quit Strictly.

+8
View gallery

Amanda made her debut in her new play When It Happens To You at the Park Theatre in London on Wednesday night

+8
View gallery

After the show, she changed into a black T-shirt with ‘Quiet No More’ written on the back as she posed for photos alongside the play’s director Jez Bond, seemingly a reference to the ongoing scandal

Amanda Abbington reveals why new play is a ‘dream role’ for her

After the show, she changed into a black T-shirt with ‘Quiet No More’ written on the back as she posed for photos alongside the play’s director Jez Bond, seemingly a reference to the ongoing scandal.

According to The Mirror, Amanda received a standing ovation from the audience that moved her to tears.

One audience member told the publication: ‘We all know that Amanda is an incredible actress, but tonight has been almost a religious experience.

‘To see her perform live, knowing about everything she has on her shoulders at the minute and everything that has been weighing her down, it’s amazing how she managed to keep her emotions in check in such a moving play.’

Amanda leads the cast in the thriller and takes 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.