Giovanni Pernice has been at the core of an internal probe at the BBC for months (Image: PA)
Thrown in the eye of the storm after allegations of ‘misconduct’ backstage, Giovanni Pernice has received the subtle support of two former Strictly co-stars in a new move.
Two Strictly Come Dancing stars have backed Giovanni Pernice as the trio gets ready to embark on a new project.
The choreographer, 33, has been at the core of an internal probe at the BBC over complaints about his alleged “abuse” behaviour backstage, said to have stemmed from Amanda Abbington, his 2023 Strictly partner.
After admitting he was a “perfectionist”, Giovanni lost his spot in this year’s edition of the dance competition, despite being in talks to star in the show. Since then, and claims of a similar nature aimed at Graziano Di Prima, Giovanni has received the support of multiple ex-colleagues, stars of the programme who are paying no heed to the escalating crisis and investigation – Strictly judges Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood.
Giovanni Pernice has received the support of all Strictly judges as Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood are joining him in a new project (Image: BBC/Guy Levy)
The Sun reports that Motsi, 43, and Craig, 59, will appear alongside Giovanni at a dance training session in London on September 29, 2024, as part of his Ballando Dance classes. Motsi and Craig’s support comes as a new positive move for Giovanni as this means he has received the support of all four Strictly judges.
While the dancer shares the spotlight with Anton Du Beke in their Anton & Giovanni Together, Shirley Ballas has been outspoken about her views on the controversy surrounding him. In July, she notably said: “All I can say is that we have got some of the best professionals in the world on our show. They’re caring, and they’re kind, and they’re loving, and they give all of themselves because they are actually quite competitive as well.”
“They want the very best for their students, and they give absolutely everything that they can to the show. I’ve known Giovanni for 10 years, I can say that, and he’s been very, very good to me. Very, very good to me”, she added, while BBC bosses were said to have ordered her to keep her thoughts quiet.
And while Giovanni has denied the allegations weighing against him, Graziano Di Prima looked back on his own axing from the show with regret as he remembered: “The only thing I can think of is the time I kicked the floor in frustration. We’d practised hour after hour to perfect a routine with lifts.”
“It wasn’t easy but that’s the pressure of the show. I wasn’t meaning to kick her. I’d never, never do that. My foot brushed her after I kicked the floor. Afterwards, I hugged her and said I was sorry. There was no problem. We carried on.”
“I’m not sure if this is it or if it’s from when we, as professional dancers, move our partner’s leg with our foot. That is what is so difficult for me – not knowing,” he added during a chat with The Daily Mail. Sharing his upset following his Strictly exit, Graziano maintained that he “didn’t deliberately hurt anyone” and didn’t know where Love Island star Zara McDermott’s allegations stemmed from.
