Police 'investigate shocking bomb threat' to theatre where Amanda Abbington was performing

Amanda Abbington
-Credit: (Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)


A bomb threat has allegedly been made to London's Park Theatre when Amanda Abbington was performing, leading police to investigate. The Sherlock actress, who has been embroiled in drama since appearing on Strictly Come Dancing last year, was said to be acting in the production 'When It Happens To You' when the threat was allegedly emailed to the establishment.

"Police were called at about 10:00hrs on Monday, 12 August by a staff member at a theatre in Finsbury Park following receipt of an alleged malicious communication," a Met Police spokesperson told The Mirror. They added: "Officers attended. Enquiries are ongoing to establish whether this is linked with a prior report of malicious communication. There have been no arrests." It comes just weeks after another email was allegedly sent, saying the Sherlock actress was going to "die on stage", with the belief that the same person is behind both threats.

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Amanda Abbington and the When It Happens To You cast
Amanda is currently appearing in the play When It Happens To You at The Park Theatre in London -Credit:Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images

Talking to The Sun, Park Theatre's artistic director, Jez Bond, said: "We contacted police after a second threat was made and we are continuing to assist the police in this investigation. The sender, whilst appearing to create a false account, did not appear to disguise their IP address so we are hopeful that the police will be able to track them down."

While a source told the publication that Amanda was left shaken over the ordeal, claiming: "She’s had to put up with so many threats and abuse since complaining about her time on Strictly.

"But the specific nature of these threats meant she was very keen to co-operate with the police and try to ensure the person behind it is caught."

Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice
Amanda complained of 'bullying' from Giovanni Pernice on Stricly Come Dancingand has been at the centre of drama since -Credit:BBC

The first email, which reportedly threatened Amanda would "die on stage" unless she withdrew her complaint about dancer Giovanni Pernice, was also investigated, with no one arrested. After leaving the BBC One show, Abbington lodged a formal complaint about Pernice's teaching methods, citing "medical" and "personal" reasons at the time. Speaking to The Sunday Times in July, the TV and theatre star described the aftermath as "really brutal", revealing she had received "death threats and rape threats".

Abbington later claimed she experienced "inappropriate, mean, nasty bullying" and a "toxic environment" while participating in the programme. Pernice, who will not be returning to Strictly this year, denies "any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour", and is confident he will be exonerated by a BBC review.