AMANDA Abbington has 'one last throw of the dice' before Giovanni Pernice is 'set to be cleared' in the Strictly Come Dancing bullying probe, reports say.
According to Mail Online, bosses investigating The Sherlock actress' claims against the under-fire pro have found her evidence to be 'thin' and they believe she may have been 'out to get' Giovanni.
The publication claims that Giovanni is "set to be exonerated" by bosses, but Amanda, 50, was last one card up her sleeve in the form of a 'short video clip' he sent to her on WhatsApp.
Sources within the BBC have confirmed the clip is "sex-related'" but in its nature was "very much banter", the Mail alleges.
The report even goes on to claim that Amanda "found it funny" at the time she received it, but is now hoping the message will boost her chances of the investigation going her way.
The insider said: "This is literally the last thing that Amanda has got, so, of course, she will be hoping that it sticks. It's the only thing that is in any way tangible against Giovanni."
Those close to the probe, however, claim that very little has been found to prove Amanda's grievances against Giovanni.
"The BBC wanted to exonerate Mr Pernice because nothing that Amanda said stuck,"' alleged the source. "There was absolutely nothing there to get him on – and, from the messages they saw, the picture was quite the opposite. He had been very supportive of her.£
They continued: "Even Amanda admits she can be a nightmare, she can get very angry and then calm down quickly. It's how she is – and Giovanni tolerated a lot so they were absolutely going to clear his name.
"Amanda had been telling her friends that she knew Giovanni not going to be found guilty. It was obviously a huge disappointment for her after investing so many months in her complaint."
It comes as The Sun on Sunday revealed that reveal the results of the three-month investigation into the claims by Amanda and various other stars are unlikely to be announced this month.
As well as Amanda handing over more texts at the last minute, which has “changed the course of the probe", there is also believed to be another factor for the delay.
The furore surrounding Jermaine Jenas, who was sacked from the One Show and Match Of The Day amid inappropriate texts, may also have contributed to things taking longer than expected.
The source added: “The BBC is in crisis mode.
“They were still reeling from the Huw Edwards scandal.
“They know all eyes are on them as to what they will do about the black cloud hanging over Strictly so they need to make sure they announce their decision at the right moment.
“It’s looking more likely that it will be next month now, meaning the whole thing could drag into the new series.
“The BBC also knows that whatever they announce is very unlikely to be the end of the matter.
"They are bracing themselves for appeals and potentially more complaints so are determined to get their ducks in a row before they make any public announcement."
