GIOVANNI Pernice has revealed the last words that he spoke to Amanda Abbington after their bitter fallout amid a Strictly bullying probe.
Giovanni, 34, also retaliated to a string of claims made in his first interview since the BBC released its decision.
Sherlock actress Amanda, 50, quit Strictly Come Dancing last year, and later made a formal complaint about Giovanni along with three of his former dance partners.
She left the show during week six, after finding two lumps in her breasts, and fearing she had cancer.
She previously revealed her nightmare rehearsals with Gio got so bad she was relieved when the cancer scare meant she could quit the show.
Giovanni has now recalled the moment Amanda told him about her health scare during their rehearsals.
He insisted he immediately contacted a doctor to arrange a scan, and said that was the last time that they ever spoke.
The ballroom dancer told MailOnline: “Amanda told me that she couldn’t concentrate because while she was having a shower she had found two lumps.
“I said, ‘Please tell me it’s nothing serious,’ and the first thing I did was call my doctor and tried to organise for her to have a scan right away.”
Also in the interview the Sicilian denied making sexual remarks during rehearsals, but conceded that they had “very rude banter”.
He recalled: “Amanda was a laugh, we were making each other laugh. She would say very bad things, like the c-word. She would use it.
“In actual fact, the production staff came to us and said, ‘We have noticed that you call each other that word, is it ok?’
“And she was like, ‘Oh yeah it’s fine, I call him that! It’s absolutely fine, I started it’, those were her words. And I was like, ‘Yes guys, we are fine, we are joking like this.
“She’s the person who would start the joke. She would tell a dark joke.
“That was the banter we had from the beginning, very rude banter.”
He also addressed Amanda’s claim that he had said to her: “You’re a 51-year-old menopausal woman but I’d still f*** you,” which the investigation did not and find evidence of.
Giovanni said he was bewildered by Amanda’s claim, and responded: “I had to ask my agent what the menopause means.”
The pro dancer said he realised Amanda wasn’t enjoying rehearsals after their co-star alerted him to her frustrations after just one week.
He said he was left concerned she might misrepresent their time together – and so he began secretly recording their sessions, saying: “I did it to protect myself”.
After a backlash from Amanda, and other former celebrity dance partners, Giovanni was at the centre of a five-month bullying storm and escalating crisis.
The BBC last month cleared him of ten of the 16 allegations made against him by Amanda.
The Beeb also apologised to Amanda as she revealed her experience with him was “morbid and toxic”.
Amanda then conducted a number of interviews on high-profile platforms like Newsnight, Channel 4 News and The Sun.
Recalling her interviews, Giovanni said he was constantly crying and distraught, and the claims left his family in pieces.
He said: “I rang my parents up crying. They are the closest people to me. They were asked if their son was a bully.
“Everyone got upset, that made me upset. There were so many tears of frustration and sadness.”
Giovanni is set speak out again on Lorraine Kelly’s daytime chat show on Tuesday morning.
Strictly Come Dancing's scandal has been growing over the past few months, with several major players speaking out about what went on. Here are the key moments of what's happened so far
16th May: Giovanni Pernice sensationally quits Strictly Come Dancing after nine years on the show.
17th May: Giovanni becomes the centre of an official investigation after three former partners – believed to be Amanda Abbington, Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh – make complaints to the BBC.
16th June: Giovanni releases an official statement vowing to clear his name and denies any wrongdoing.
8th July: Strictly confirms Aljaz Skorjanec will return to the series, replacing Giovanni, after initially quitting the show two years ago.
10th July: Amanda Abbington launches fresh legal proceedings to get the rehearsal footage from her time with Giovanni, after allegedly he refused to release the videos.
13th July: Graziano Di Prima is axed from Strictly for “gross misconduct” after footage of his treatment of Zara McDermott is brought to the attention of the BBC.
Graziano quickly broke his silence, apologising for his behaviour in a statement and saying he “deeply regrets it”, adding his “intense passion and determination to win might have affected his training regime.”
15th July: Strictly bosses implement new duty of care protocols, including having a chaperone present throughout all rehearsals.
16th July: Zara McDermott speaks out publicly for first time. She states while the production team were “amazing to work with”, she found the rehearsal room “completely different”, confirming there’s footage of “certain situations”.
19th July: Anton Du Beke is put under the spotlight for his “1970s attitude” and treatment of female celeb stars, particularly after allegedly referring to 2009 partner Laila Rouass as a “p***” after getting a spray tan.
21st July: Paralympian Will Bayley, who has limb condition arthrogryposis, revealed he was encouraged to leap from a table during a dance routine, despite fears. The stunt caused an injury that forced him to withdraw from the show.
22nd July: MasterChef’s Gregg Wallace admits he broke down in tears and got a nasty stress rash on his face during his time on Strictly in 2014.
22nd July: Despite ongoing issues, the Strictly professional cast begin rehearsals for this year’s series.
23rd July: Celebrity agent Melanie Blake claims she was sexually assaulted by an unnamed pro dancer while backstage on the show, and claims she witnessed ageism, rudeness and a rough treatment to the point of injury.
23rd July: Strictly is forced to beef up security after ‘an intruder scales the wall of the rehearsal studio’.
23rd July: BBC boss Tim Davie breaks his silence on the ongoing allegations against Strictly, saying he is ‘deeply sorry’, adding: “Hundreds of people, be they pros, contestants or crew have been part of it and had a brilliant experience.
“At the same time if someone thinks there was something wrong or they want to talk about their experience then of course we want them to raise that with us. Be in no doubt we will take it seriously, listen and deal with it as appropriate.”
24th July: Strictly 2023 star Krishnan Guru-Murthy holds a bombshell interview with Amanda Abbington on Channel 4 news, where she claims she was bullied, with some of the ‘humilation being of a sexual nature’.
27th July: Laura Whitmore releases a statement regarding her Strictly experience, saying “I thought my experience was specific to me but I’ve since learned I was wrong”.
She adds she is not part of the official complaint, but has come forward to support Amanda with the BBC, alongside others.
28th July: Laila Rouass speaks out against the accusations regarding Anton Du Beke, saying she “never felt pressured” by him and “personally insisted on six to seven hours training a day”.
10th August: Graziano breaks his silence on his Strictly axe, saying “these vile, false allegations have ruined my life.”
He also told of the “shocking” end to his friendship with Zara McDermott.
We also revealed that Amanda Abbington was also quizzed for a second time as Strictly execs recruited 15 new staff to monitor rehearsals.
11th August: Just as the investigation was expected to conclude, Amanda made a dramatic intervention. Giovanni was on the brink of being cleared until Amanda handed in more text messages.
24th August: Graziano Di Prima called in top lawyers to sue the BBC and to try to clear his name. He recruited big hitters Whitestone Chambers to fight his corner.
A source said: “They’ve also looked at his BBC contract and believe there are grounds to sue.”
Meanwhile, the BBC also delayed releasing the findings of the probe into Giovanni Pernice. The Sun revealed that the results of the three-month investigation were unlikely to be announced in August.
OUR much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died last year but her column will be kept alive by her friend and protégée Maggie Innes.
Read on to see what’s written in the stars for you today.
ARIES
March 21 to April 20
The sun in your trans-formation zone is the final push you may need to try a new look.
Some people may prefer you to stay the same, but that’s not the Aries way.
If you’ve been searching for a new work direction, you can see the perfect pointer in a book or site you’re browsing through.
Get all the latest Aries horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
TAURUS
April 21 to May 21
Being stronger in relat-ionships may be a secret dream, but today the sun arrives to turn it real.
The key is dimming down that fear you have of offending others, and instead shining a light on your own right to happiness.
Saturn suggests a supportive “D” friend can help you reach a special goal.
GEMINI
The fitness that you want and the fitness that you have can feel worlds apart – until today.
You can be realistic now about what you can achieve, but also ambitious in how you will apply this.
Love-wise, partners may have matching commitment, but totally different love styles.
CANCER
June 22 to July 22
If you feel the fun has drained away from certain aspects of your life, the sun is here to help you bring it back.
But you may need to accept you and certain individuals may never see eye to eye.
You can find a compromise, or find closure – deep inside, you know which one you want.
Get all the latest Cancer horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
LEO
July 23 to August 23
A family jam can suddenly come unstuck today as the sun moves on, so be prepared for some snap decisions.
Believing that you are in control is your best protection strategy.
When someone close asks for an honest opinion, do take your time before you respond – what is the true question?
Get all the latest Leo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
VIRGO
August 24 to September 22
Mercury may push you to press on alone with some words, while Saturn enc-ourages taking some other opinions on board.
At home or at work, you can trust yourself to make the right response.
With Venus busy lovenest-building, checking in with heart before head is your pathway to forever passion.
Get all the latest Virgo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
LIBRA
September 23 to October 23
There’s such solid gold in your chart as the sun moves on.
It can be the smallest, cheapest item, or what seems like the least likely idea, that can help you hit the jackpot.
So open your eyes and ears.
As for love, the talking doesn’t need to stop if you make sure you leave time and space for it.
Get all the latest Libra horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
The traditional dates used by Mystic Meg for each sign are below.
SCORPIO
October 24 to November 22
Your time in the sun is starting, and you should feel the new swagger this brings – but this also comes with a new warmth of sincerity, so you mean what you say and only make promises you know you can and will keep.
So love or life deals that have felt shaky can be back on solid ground.
Get all the latest Scorpio horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
SAGITTARIUS
November 23 to December 21
All those dusty dreams can be brought out into the light as you now see them through new eyes and seek new support to make them happen.
But in the passion sphere, it may be time to accept that what you want is out of reach.
What is possible, though, could work out for you even better.
Get all the latest Sagittarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
CAPRICORN
December 22 to January 20
Instead of just sticking to a stubborn stance, your chart today favours flexible approaches – you don’t need to accept that you are wrong to acknowledge that someone else may be also right.
Friendships strengthen most when they are tested, so be honest in your questions and replies.
Get all the latest Capricorn horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
AQUARIUS
January 21 to February 18
With the sun at the top of your chart, you are primed for new challenges, but the key is to deal with what you have started before you switch to something new.
This may mean breaking off halfway through.
Romance and trust are a close couple today.
Does one have a genuine future without the other?
Get all the latest Aquarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
PISCES
February 19 to March 20
Saturn supplies the patience to work properly with some moon inspir-ation – so this time round, you could really make those creative ideas count.
Your passion count starts high and just goes higher and higher, so do make space in your schedule for some explosive dates and approaches.
Get all the latest Pisces horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
NICOLE Scherzinger is a vision in lace — before getting bloodied up for her big stage role.
The former Pussycat Dolls star, 46, wowed at Sunday’s opening of Sunset Boulevard on Broadway in a glittering black dress.
Nicole, who plays lead character Norma Desmond in the musical, wore diamond earrings as she strutted through New York City.
After her performance, she joined creator and impresario Andrew Lloyd Webber, 76, backstage, still covered in blood from the show’s reimagined ending.
Andrew Lloyd Webber, the man behind the music in Sunset Boulevard, has heaped praise on former X Factor judge Nicole and her vocal abilities.
He said: “Nicole is one of the finest singers I have worked with, and I can’t wait to get started on this exciting show with her and the rest of this brilliant team.”
Sunset Boulevard, based on the 1950 film of the same name, tells the story of Norma, a faded star of silent movies.
Living in a decaying mansion, Norma is desperate to return to her former glory and a chance meeting with a young screenwriter serves up just the opportunity.
After the Pussycat Dolls disbanded in 2010 Nicole launched a solo music career which saw her score five UK top 10 singles.
She made her West End debut back in 2014 when she starred as Grizabella in the musical Cats.
She also performed at the Coronation Concert for King Charles last year.
PIE ’n’ mash should be given protected status to recognise its cultural importance to Cockneys, MPs will say today.
The dish could be elevated alongside other recognised foods such as Stilton cheese and Cumberland sausages.
In the Commons today, MP Richard Holden — whose Basildon and Billericay constituency has two cafés serving the East End favourite — will urge ministers to back the campaign.
The ex-Tory minister said: “Pie ’n’ mash has been enjoyed by Cockneys both in London and in the diaspora for decades.
“It’s only right we protect and celebrate this important dish as part of our British culture.” Pie ’n’ mash traditionally consists of minced beef pie, mashed potato and a vivid green parsley liquor. It is sometimes served with stewed jellied eels.
The dish has been around since the 19th century but there are only about 40 shops left.
Protection for a food can be obtained if a traditional recipe has been used for 30 years.
If special status is awarded, the recipe cannot be imitated.
Shop owner Fred Cooke — whose great-great grandfather Robert Frederick Cooke is said to have invented pie ’n’ mash in 1862 — is backing the campaign.
He has moved with the times and does a vegetarian version.
Andy Green, at the Modern Cockney Festival, said protected status would “give a statement that despite rumours of its death, pie ’n’ mash is thriving.”
Ex-EastEnders actor Danny Dyer is backing the campaign.
