The Sherlock actor said she thought "long and hard" before making a complaint to the BBC about the behaviour of former dance partner Giovanni Pernice due to the "backlash" she would receive.

Pernice, who rejected "any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour", will not return to the show this year, and said in a statement on Instagram in June that he is "cooperating fully" with an ongoing "BBC investigation".

Speaking to the Sun On Sunday, Abbington said: "I found Giovanni's behaviour unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean. I couldn't sit back and let him do that to other people.

"I had to think long and hard about making a complaint because I knew the backlash I would get. But I would not have been able to live with myself for future people going on that show.

"I know what happened in that room, it's on video and I have no problem with anyone seeing that. It's a duty of care that is needed."

In an interview with the Times, she said the backlash since she reported Pernice has been "relentless".

"It's been awful. Death threats and rape threats for just standing up for something that I thought was wrong," she said to the paper last Sunday.

In a statement posted on his Instagram in May, Pernice said he rejected the accusations and wanted to clear his name.

"Those who have followed my journey on Strictly Come Dancing over the last decade will know that I am passionate and competitive," wrote the 33-year-old, who has been a professional on the dancing show since 2015.

"No one is more ambitious for my dance partners than me.

"I have always striven to help them be the very best dancers they can be. This has always come from a place of love and wanting to win - for me and my dance partners."

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Last weekend, professional dancer Graziano Di Prima said he was leaving the BBC show after claims about his treatment of reality star Zara McDermott - including confirmed reports he kicked her during a rehearsal.

The BBC has said it will introduce production staff chaperones into all future rehearsals.

A spokesperson for Pernice said:

"The BBC has shared allegations from the inquiry with Giovanni, who has cooperated fully. None of the allegations carried in the Sun on Sunday are included in any shape or form.

"Giovanni refutes these allegations and denies any accusations of abusive or threatening behaviour. He has provided substantive evidence to the investigation, and he remains fully confident of clearing his name."