Shirley Ballas shared a very cryptic Instagram post on Wednesday evening after Amanda Abbington's bombshell Channel 4 interview about the Giovanni Pernice scandal.

Amanda,50,has doubled down on her previous claims of backstage abuse on Strictly Come Dancing and claimed working with suspended dancer Giovanni,33, was like 'being in the trenches',allegations he has strongly denies. 

Now head judge Shirley,63,has shared a cryptic social media post as she continued to defend Giovanni throughout the misconduct probe.

The post read: 'Surround yourself with people who fight for you in rooms you aren't in'. 

Signing off her Instagram Story for the evening,she wrote: 'Goodnight lovely humans who are in my life you know who you are'. 

Addressing his exit from the show,a 'devastated' Di Prima wrote on Instagram: 'I deeply regret the events that led to my departure from Strictly'

One BBC insider told MailOnline: 'Amanda seems to be stopping at nothing to make sure that a dark cloud is left over Strictly.

'She seems to have a real issue with the show. She has been open about not enjoying her time,but why spoil it for everyone else?

'It's not looking like there is a smoking gun in her complaint about Giovanni,so now she is getting others to come forward and then later it appears in the Press so the row keeps going and going.' 

On Tuesday,the BBC's director-general Tim Davie warned that the 'line should never be crossed' said: 'I'm very sorry that anyone has had an experience on Strictly that hasn't been wholly positive.

'I think that is something we do reflect on,and I'm sorry about that. If someone feels there was something wrong or they wanted to talk about their experience,then,of course,we want them to raise that with us and be in no doubt,we will take it seriously.'

Mr Davie added: 'Of course,alongside the fun and entertainment,there will be a degree of competitiveness,hard work,and a will to do well. That's part of what makes this show.

Read More

Strictly's Giovanni Pernice urges fans to ignore Amanda Abbington's claims after bombshell interview

'But there are limits and the line should never be crossed. We will never tolerate unacceptable behaviour of any kind.'

Amanda said she was 'glad' that Mr Davie had apologised to celebrities but added that no producers had been in touch since she made a complaint. 

She told Channel 4: 'I got several messages afterwards from some of the producers,just checking in to see how I was.

'But then when all the fallout happened,and then everybody started piling on and the death threats came in,and they were reported in the press - and all the misinformation went out there - I didn't really hear from anybody again.'

Asked if there was any aftercare provided,she replied: 'No,it would have been nice I suppose.'

Rehearsals for the new series began on Monday,and today professionals including Johannes Radebe,Amy Dowden and Dianne Buswell were all smiles as they arrived to practise at a London dance studio. 

In response to Amanda's latest interview,a spokesperson for the BBC said: 'Anyone involved in a complaint has a right to confidentiality and fair process and therefore it would be inappropriate to comment further on individuals.'

The BBC continued: 'However,when issues are raised with us we always take them extremely seriously. The BBC and BBC Studios takes duty of care extremely seriously…last week we announced additional steps to further strengthen welfare and support on the show.'

Channel 4Strictly Come DancingShirley Ballas