Strictly Come Dancing2023 brought to light Giovanni Pernice and his ‘perfectionist’ ways of doing things. The 33-year-old was partnered with Sherlock star Amanda Abbington who decided to quit the show mid-way despite being a favourite to win the show. Since her exit, the star has claimed she was diagnosed with PTSD. Amanda is not the only partner who has complained about Giovanni, at least 4 of his previous partners have made similar complaints.
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All the Strictly stars who complained against Giovanni Pernice
Amanda Abbington claimed that rehearsals with Giovanni Pernice left her ‘saddened and heartbroken.’ Before her, TV personality Richie Anderson - who was Giovanni’s partner in the 20th series of the show in 2022 - also claimed that the two didn’t click. He has unfollowed his former dance partner on Instagram very recently.
In 2020, GMB presenter Ranvir Singh raised similar complaints about the Italian pro dancer and his attitude during rehearsals. A year after the show, Ranvir also unfollowed Giovanni on Instagram. An unnamed source said:
Like Amanda, Ranvir also flagged an issue during training with Giovanni and said she was unhappy.
In 2018, despite multiple romance rumours, former Steps singer Faye Tozer is understood to have clashed with Giovanni as well. What’s more? In 2016, ex-Love Island presenter Laura Whitmore claimed she was ‘broken’ by her time with him. It is understood that Laura was reduced to tears and said:
I was placed with a dance partner I was extremely uncomfortable with and in the end I felt broken, I cried every day.
Is the BBC trying to protect Giovanni Pernice?
Amidst Amanda Abbington’s request for rehearsal footage and many other previous claims by Giovanni’s former dance partners, many people want him off the show this year. However, the BBC is accused of ‘protecting’ the professional dancer.
The Sun reported that the BBC bosses had a ‘secret’ meeting with Giovanni last year about his conduct but no action was taken against him. The source shared:
Some of the professionals and crew feel it needs to be dealt with and Giovanni shouldn’t come back this year.
The BBC are standing behind Giovanni and won’t be pursuing an investigation.
It’s a shock to some on the show who think something needs to be done about his behaviour. Amanda had a really tough time with him and she isn’t the only one.
They added:
Four more of his partners have either talked openly about how hard it was working with him or have made it clear in the industry.
The BBC appears to be doing nothing and it’s shocking.
Meanwhile, a pal close to Giovanni shared what the pro dancer has been thinking about all these allegations. They said:
Gio finds some of these allegations deeply unfair and offensive.
He has had support from producers over what has happened recently and they are behind him.
Read More
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Source Used
The Sun: Strictly’s Giovanni Pernice faced complaint from second partner & left 3 others ‘unhappy’ but BBC refuse to launch probe
