Giovanni Pernice makes cryptic ‘real people’ dig after Strictly Come Dancing scandal

Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni Pernice has made a mysterious “real people” remark following the controversy that led to his departure from the show.

Giovanni, who will be appearing on Channel 4’s Celebrity Hunted tonight, left the BBC programme after “numerous serious complaints” were lodged about his behaviour while training his celebrity dance partners. Giovanni has rejected all accusations levelled against him.

The 34-year-old spoke recently about his exit on James Phelan’s How To Be Famous podcast and appeared to make a sly dig. He said: “I’m not going anywhere, I’m not giving up, I’m just taking a rest. It’s been a year and you understand who the real people close to you are.”

Giovanni was paired with Sherlock’s Amanda Abbington – but the partnership soon went sour
(Image: PA)

He expressed gratitude for the loyalty of a few genuine friends and the backing of his fans. “The audience …realistically I’m not very close to them, but even a small message or a like on my post on social media or something – it it just will give you the strength to go forward which is is great,” Giovanni added.

In an earlier interview, he labelled former dance partner Amanda Abbington’s complaints against him as “an attempt to destroy me”. Giovanni confessed he “wanted to punch the television” when he heard the Sherlock actress tell Channel 4 news that the allegations against him were of a “sexual nature.”

While the BBC upheld “some, but not all” of Amanda’s allegations, that specific claim could not be substantiated by investigators.

The BBC upheld some of Amanda Abbington’s complaints against Giovanni, but cleared him of the most serious allegations.

Giovanni stated: “It was the first time there was talk of anything sexual. Of course, I was worried it could destroy my career – the people that come to my shows are kids and women. I was painted as a person I am not. It seemed like the only point was to destroy me.”

He said that in order to deal with such stress, “you have to surround yourself with people that really care about you, genuinely care about you”.

Giovanni went on to win Italy’s version of Strictly – and embark on a relationship with his celebrity partner
(Image: Getty Images)

He added: “That is the most important thing.” Giovanni also expressed his gratitude for “true friends” like fellow Strictly star Anton Du Beke, who supported him. “I was lucky to be on stage with my own show having the audience giving a good response every night, and then I went on tour with Anton again – with my best friend having a laugh and a joke,” Giovanni said.

Following his exit from Strictly in the UK, he joined the Italian version of the show – Ballando con le Stelle – and won in December 2024 after being paired with Italian actress Bianca Guaccero.

It has since been confirmed that Giovanni has started a relationship with the 43-year-old star.

Image Credits and Reference: https://www.lancs.live/news/celebs-tv/giovanni-pernice-makes-cryptic-real-30702706

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