Shirley Ballas stays out of Strictly scandal after defending Giovanni Pernice
The Strictly Come Dancing head judge said 'I stay in my lane' following the controversy around the ex-pro dancer.
Watch: Shirley Ballas addresses BBC Strictly investigation
What did you miss?
Shirley Ballas has said she is staying out of the recent Strictly Come Dancing bullying scandal - despite previously having backed Giovanni Pernice.
Last week, the BBC concluded an investigation into Amanda Abbington's accusations of Pernice's behaviour towards her in training, upholding complaints about verbal bullying and offering the actor an apology. The BBC reported that Pernice was cleared of the most serious allegations, saying claims of physical aggression were not upheld.
Despite having backed Pernice in the past, Ballas tried to stay neutral on the controversy when asked for her views on the report on This Morning. She said: "I stay in my lane."
What, how, and why?
Strictly fans may be keen to hear head judge Shirley Ballas's views on the BBC investigation into bullying claims, but she has said she is staying out of the scandal.
Ballas spoke to This Morning on Wednesday about the investigation into Amanda Abbington's claims about Giovanni Pernice's behaviour.
Asked about what it had been like working on the BBC show while the investigation was ongoing, Ballas said: "I stay in my lane. I'm there to adjudicate the technique, I go there every Saturday morning and I do my job, so I was not witness to anything backstage that was negative."
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She continued: "In actual fact, from 2017 (when Ballas joined the show) I can say with my hand on my heart, my experience of Strictly Come Dancing has been absolutely fantastic, the duty of care - off the chart. I say that sincerely.
"I don't condone bullying in any shape or form, I don't, because obviously I was bullied myself. But they've done all their due diligence now. Put it behind us, we keep moving forward with this amazing show we've got and let's see who's going to make the final."
Last week, the BBC's report said that they "upheld some, but not all" of Abbington's complaints, including incidents of verbally abusive behaviour. They said they did not uphold claims of physically threatening behaviour.
Abbington was offered an apology and gave more of her side of the story in a Newsnight interview, while Pernice, who had always said he wanted to clear his name, also welcomed the findings.
What has Shirley Ballas said about Giovanni Pernice?
Although Ballas appeared to be trying to stay diplomatic on This Morning, in the past she has backed Pernice who was later dropped from the Strictly cast.
After the claims about his behaviour emerged, Ballas told ITV's Lorraine in January: "I've known Giovanni for many, many years and he's an absolutely splendid teacher, and my only ever experience with him is that of an absolute gentleman. He serves the show well and he gives 100 per cent.
"But you know... all these shows [like] Strictly, they're tough shows. So when you sign up for a show like that you kind of know what you're getting into. It's been on the screen for 20 odd years. It is quite difficult to do the show."
What else did Shirley Ballas say about Strictly?
Chris McCausland has fast become one of the Strictly 2024 fan favourites, with head judge Ballas counting herself amongst his devoted following.
She suggested he could go all the way to the final as she told This Morning: "He's got rhythm, he's got style, and I think he taps into something very deep in his soul and his heart because he feels what he does. So it wouldn't surprise me if he goes really far in the competition."
Asked about Toyah Willcox's It Takes Two comments that to stay out of the bottom two, contestants would need to get McCausland out of the competition - which were taken badly by some viewers - she said: "She meant that with a lovely heart, by the way."
But on whether he could make the final, she added: "That'll be down to the audience, that's where I step out and they step in and I've got every faith that they will find the best three or four people to go into that final, for sure."
This Morning airs on ITV1 at 10am on weekdays.