Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni Pernice has set the record straight on a possible return to the hit BBC show.
The professional dancer stepped away from the 2024 edition of Strictly Come Dancing after his partner on the 2023 series, Amanda Abbington, made allegations about his behaviour.
The Mr Selfridge star alleged she was subjected to a “toxic environment” and “inappropriate, mean, nasty bullying”. The Italian dancer “rejected any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour”, and welcomed the conclusion of a BBC review which upheld “some, but not all” of the complaints made by the actress against him.
There were no findings relating to physical aggression, but it is understood that complaints of verbal bullying and harassment were upheld.
Discussing whether he would ever return to Strictly, the 34-year-old told Heat: “I would love to go back on Strictly but I don’t think they’re going to have me on again.
“It wasn’t the most pleasant situation for me. I’m very happy that it’s finished and everybody can move on with their lives.”
Following Amanda’s complaints, Giovanni returned to his native Italy and won his home country’s version of Strictly, Ballando con le Stelle. He then found love with his celebrity partner Bianca Guaccero.
Despite the Strictly controversy, the 2021 champion said that he had no reservations about competing in the Italian compeition and immediately accepted the offer.
However, Giovanni admitted he was worried “on a personal level” about appearing on the show after some of his former friends “turned their backs on him” during the investigation.
“It was nice to be able to have that (positive) communication with people, because once the results of the investigation came out, those people who had left me came back and I was like ‘Hmm, this is not nice’,” Giovanni told Heat.
“You know who your real friends are when you’re at your lowest – and that’s what I missed throughout the whole period.”
Giovanni admitted he felt “down and lonely” during the investigation but found strength to move forward in his personal and professional life.
Pernice is set to star in The Last Dance stage show, performing in venues across the UK until May. The dancer said that this will be his “last tour” before taking a well-deserved break. However, Giovanni ruled out any rumours of retirement, stating he was “too young” for that.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.express.co.uk ’
