Giovanni Pernice, a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing, has reportedly quit the show after nine years. The 33-year-old Italian dancer had been in talks to return for the next series but was not listed in the internal memo. The BBC issued a statement regarding Giovanni’s future amid reports of his exit. Tensions between Giovanni and his celeb partner Amanda Abbington, who left the show due to confrontations, have been cited as a reason for his departure. Allegations about Giovanni’s brutal training style have also surfaced from other celebrity partners.
Georgia May Foote was Giovanni’s first partner in 2015 and their chemistry led to a whirlwind romance. However, their relationship hit the rocks soon after the show. Laura Whitmore, his partner in 2016, had a strained partnership with him and admitted to feeling uncomfortable. Debbie McGee, who partnered with Giovanni in 2017, was all praise for him and said she had a great experience on the show. Faye Tozer, Giovanni’s partner in 2018, reportedly had some struggles with him towards the end of the competition.
In the 2019 series, Giovanni was partnered with Michelle Visage, and their rehearsals were reportedly tense. Giovanni and Michelle were locking horns due to their strong personalities. Ranvir Singh, Giovanni’s partner in the 2020 series, faced challenges due to the pandemic restrictions. Their on-screen chemistry led to rumors of romance, which Giovanni denied. His partnership with Rose Ayling Ellis in 2021 resulted in a historic win, and they have remained close friends since.
In the 2022 series, Giovanni’s partnership with radio star Richie Anderson was rumored to have friction. Despite the rumors, the Strictly source dismissed them and said they were having a great time. Amanda Abbington, Giovanni’s most recent partner in 2023, pulled out of the show due to mental health concerns related to his intense training tactics. After her exit, Amanda reportedly demanded behind-the-scenes footage and sought legal advice. Giovanni and Anton Du Beke discussed Amanda’s exit and Giovanni defended his training approach, stating that he aims for perfection for his partners.
