Professional dancer Giovanni Pernice has reportedly quit BBC Strictly Come Dancing after receiving complaints from several former celebrity partners, including Amanda Abbington. Giovanni, who had been on the show for nine years, faced allegations over his demanding training style, particularly from Amanda Abbington. A leaked memo did not include Giovanni’s name among this year’s roster of professional dancers, sparking rumors of his departure. Reports suggest that Giovanni is now looking for new opportunities on television.
Amanda Abbington, who was paired with Giovanni last year, reportedly left the competition midway due to a diagnosis of mild post-traumatic stress disorder following her experience with Giovanni. Allegations from other celebrity partners surfaced, leading to a meeting between former partners Laura Whitmore, Ranvir Singh, and Amanda to discuss their difficult experiences with Giovanni. The celebrities are said to have reached out to each other and may consider making a joint complaint to the BBC.
Earlier this year, Amanda requested backstage footage of her training sessions with Giovanni from BBC bosses, possibly as preparation for legal action. However, the BBC stated that there was no formal complaint about Giovanni’s behavior. Despite the allegations, some celebrities, such as Debbie McGee and Rose Ayling-Ellis, have defended Giovanni and shared positive experiences of working with him. However, there were reports of clashes with other partners, leading to unfollowing on social media.
The BBC confirmed that they would not be investigating Giovanni’s behavior with Amanda on the show, as there is a constant dialogue between the production team and contestants to address any concerns swiftly. While Giovanni is yet to comment on the situation, a source close to him stated that he believes he has done nothing wrong and simply wants to bring out the best in his partners. The situation has brought attention to the intensity of Giovanni’s training style, with reports of disagreements and emotional meetings among his former partners.
The possibility of a formal complaint to the BBC from Giovanni’s former partners remains, as they share their experiences of intense training sessions and clashes with the dancer. The situation highlights the challenges faced by celebrities participating in Strictly Come Dancing and sheds light on the impact of demanding training styles on mental health. Giovanni’s departure from the show marks the end of a nine-year stint that has seen both success and controversy during his time as a professional dancer on Strictly.
Overall, Giovanni Pernice’s reported exit from BBC Strictly Come Dancing comes after complaints from former partners, highlighting the challenges faced by celebrities in the intense world of competitive dancing. The situation raises important discussions about the treatment of contestants and the impact of demanding training methods. While some former partners have defended Giovanni, others have shared their difficult experiences, sparking rumors of potential legal action and joint complaints. Giovanni’s departure marks the end of an era for the professional dancer on the popular show.
