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Giovanni Pernice was partnered with Amanda Abbington on Strictly in 2023 (Image: BBC)
Giovanni Pernice has revealled the final exchange he had with Amanda Abbington before she quit Strictly Come Dancing.
Throughout the BBC dance competition, actress the Sherlock star and her professional dancer appeared to have the perfect partnership.
But the truth soon bubbled to the surface during the sixth week of the show when Amanda chose to leave the show, reports the Mirror.
The actress recently revealed that her decision to leave the show was prompted when she discovered lumps in her breast. Amanda confessed she was "relieved" to find a reason towalk away from the show, following reported disputes with Giovanni.
Now, the 34-year-old Italian dancer has shared what he claims was their final conversation before the star placed a complaint to the BBC about his alleged behaviour.
The Sherlock star quit the show after six weeks following 'bullying' claims (Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
She alleged that the experience led to her being diagnosed with PTSD after being "bullied" by the ballroom expert in the training room.
Although the much-anticipated BBC inquiry into the matter exonerated the ex-dancer from any physical misconduct, it did extend an apology to Amanda after validating several of her bullying allegations.
In a recent interview, Giovanni confessed he was "gutted" when he learnt from producers that Amanda had pulled out of the competition.
Before receiving this news, Amanda had confided in Giovanni that she had detected two lumps in her breasts, just months before she was given the all clear from her mammogram.
He has since shared what he claims was their final exchange before her exit (Image: PA)
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"Amanda told me that she couldn't concentrate because while she was having a shower she had found two lumps," he revealed to the Daily Mail.
He further stated that he expressed his hope to Amanda that it was "nothing serious" and even proposed to involve his own doctor for an immediate scan.
"So the last message between us was me saying to her, 'Can I help you? Please let me help you, forget about the dance, forget about the show, this is more important than anything,'" he disclosed to the outlet.
Giovanni added: "This was the last time I heard from Amanda." After a BBC investigation, six out of the 17 allegations made by Amanda were upheld.
The pro dancer offered to help after she found lumps in her breasts (Image: BBC)
Giovanni admitted he was relieved that the most severe claims were dismissed as a souce close to the dancer explained how difficult it has been for him since the claims were made public.
An insider close to the Italian dancer told MailOnline: "It has been awful for Giovanni. He has had to read stories about himself that weren't true for more than six months and then, the verdict of the inquiry showed that he hadn't done all of the things that Amanda or her friends had been telling the media.
"He has consistently refuted the allegations levelled against him."
Strictly Come Dancing airs on Saturday from 6.20pm on BBC One or catch up on BBC iPlayer.
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