An emotional Giovanni Pernice has paid tribute to his 'best friend' Anton Du Beke for being the 'support of my life' after his 'world collapsed' following the Amanda Abbington allegations. Addressing an audience on Tuesday, the first night of his tour, Last Dance, at the Swan Theatre in High Wycombe, the former Strictly professional spoke in between dances and opened up about the scandal.
![[tThe former Strictly professional spoke in between dances and opened up about the scandal when Amanada Abbington accused him of bullying]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/21/15/94350399-14309177-image-a-63_1737471795056.jpg)
Reflecting on the time before the Sherlock actress, 50, made her bombshell allegations, Giovanni, 34, said: 'I like to think I became quite successful. I was selling out everywhere. 'I was on a TV show with my best friend [Du Beke] so I felt like I was at the top of my game.
![[Giovanni said: 'I was on a TV show with my best friend [Du Beke] so I felt like I was at the top of my game. I felt like I had my army… my audience. But fate did have different plans for me']](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/21/15/94351009-14309177-image-a-76_1737472435952.jpg)
'I was untouchable - a superhero. I felt like I had my army… my audience. But fate did have different plans for me.'. In July last year, more than six months after Amanda Abbington quit the BBC show citing 'personal reasons', the actress accused Pernice of 'unnecessary, cruel and mean behaviour' during their time dancing together on Strictly.
![[Amanda accused Pernice of 'unnecessary, cruel and mean behaviour' during their time dancing together on Strictly]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/21/15/94350971-14309177-Amanda_accused_Pernice_of_unnecessary_cruel_and_mean_behaviour_d-m-74_1737472385450.jpg)
An emotional Giovanni Pernice has paid tribute to his 'best friend' Anton Du Beke for being the 'support of my life' after his 'world collapsed' following the Amanda Abbington allegations. tThe former Strictly professional spoke in between dances and opened up about the scandal when Amanada Abbington accused him of bullying.
![[Pernice rejected the claims immediately and a BBC investigation ruled in September that her claims of physical aggression and threatening behaviour were not upheld]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/21/15/94350961-14309177-image-a-75_1737472391530.jpg)
Pernice rejected the claims immediately and a BBC investigation ruled in September that her claims of physical aggression and threatening behaviour were not upheld. But complaints of verbal bullying and harassment meant the BBC issued an apology but Giovanni said he was 'pleased the report has not found any evidence of threatening or abusive behaviour'.
