Giovanni Pernice has attacked his former dance partner Amanda Abbington as he battles allegations of abuse when they trained together on Strictly.
The professional dancer, 33, has strongly denied any allegations of “threatening and abusive” behavior while rehearsing for the live shows.
Giovanni quit Strictly Come Dancing earlier this month amid a “serious misconduct” investigation, after his recent dance partner Amanda made a complaint against him.
It was learned that aAn investigation was launched into claims about Giovanni’s behavior on Strictly, with three of his former partners joining in: Amanda, Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh.
He has been hit by a series of allegations from former celebrity partners on the BBC show, with the channel forced to investigate “serious claims of workplace misconduct” after three of his celebrity partners sought legal help .
Giovanni Pernice has attacked his former dance partner Amanda Abbington as he battles allegations of abuse when they trained together on Strictly.
The professional dancer, 33, has strongly denied any allegations of “threatening and abusive” behavior while rehearsing for the live shows (pictured with Amanda).
Giovanni has now indirectly offered his opinion on the matter, by liking a comment left by one of his fans in the comments section of a recent post.
Giovanni has now indirectly offered his opinion on the matter, by liking a comment left by one of his fans in the comments section of a recent post.
The comment suggests Amanda did not have the “mental strength” to compete on the BBC’s Latin and ballroom dance show.
The message appeared beneath a video of Giovanni and his girlfriend Molly Brown enjoying a recent getaway to Portugal.
She said: “Keep your head up Gio, it’s unfortunate that someone decided to partner you up with someone who didn’t have the mental strength to take part in Strictly.”
‘The frustration I have is that no ‘official’ complaint has been filed, it’s all insinuations from one partner when the other two have jumped on the bandwagon.
‘If things were so bad, why has no one answered in the last nine seasons, neither on the show nor during the tour?’
The comment referenced Giovanni’s previous partners, Ranvir and Laura, who are seeking legal action against him, and read: “These partners may have had issues but as far as I know, they didn’t do anything official…
“But now they have joined forces, it seems they have hired a £700 an hour lawyer, one thing is for sure, my license fee better not have to pay this bill, they can pay it with their fee for appearing on Strictly “.
Giovanni quit Strictly Come Dancing earlier this month amid a “serious misconduct” investigation, after his recent dance partner Amanda made a complaint against him.
It emerged that an investigation has been launched into allegations surrounding Giovanni’s behavior on Strictly, with three of his former partners joining in: Amanda, Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh.
‘As I say, let Gio see the allegations and let professionals like Arlene Phillips review them. I’m tired of AA, LW and RS systematically trying to ruin a professional’s reputation. Let’s settle this once and for all, it all started when a woman, who was already going through a lot in her personal life, couldn’t handle the added pressure of professional dancing, which is a huge shame.’
Three women, whose identities have not been confirmed by Strictly or Giovanni, have sought the services of law firm Carter-Ruck to investigate Giovanni’s behaviour.
A spokeswoman for Carter Ruck said: ‘Numerous serious complaints have been made to the BBC, which is now in the process of gathering evidence. As this is still an ongoing matter, no further comment can be made at this time.’
Giovanni has strongly denied that there is any truth to the accusations that have been made against him.
On Instagram, Giovanni said: “To my dear fans, you will be as surprised as I am that accusations about my dance teaching methods have been made in the media this week. Of course, I reject any suggestion of abusive or threatening behavior and hope clear my name.
‘Those who have followed my journey on Strictly Come Dancing over the last decade will know that I am passionate and competitive. No one is more ambitious than me for my dance partners. I have always strived to help them be the best dancers they can be. “This has always come from a place of love and wanting to win, for me and my dance partners.”
It comes after it was reported that a second show Giovanni was involved in had been shelved amid the ongoing investigation into his backstage behaviour.
Last week it was said that Giovanni’s BBC travel show Anton & Giovanni’s Adventures, alongside Strictly judge Anton Du Beke, had been suspended amid the investigation.
And on Tuesday it was revealed that Channel 4’s Celebrity Hunted show, which the star filmed last year, had also been postponed indefinitely.
A source said Sun: ‘This will be heartbreaking for Gio as he has seen himself getting more and more work beyond the dance show.
‘It is particularly galling as Celebrity Hunted is a show designed as a fundraising and awareness vehicle for its Stand Up 2 Cancer appeal.
Presenter Laura Whitmore is also said to have discussed her experience with Giovanni with Amanda Abbington.
While the three celebrities who made allegations have not been named, Ranvir Singh, who partnered with Giovanni, met with Amanda to discuss her experience.
“That’s something he really wanted to be a part of, so it’s a big disappointment to know that it probably won’t see the light of day while the investigation is ongoing.”
Giovanni filmed Celebrity Hunted, in which couples go on the run to try to avoid hunters (surveillance experts), in May 2023 with fellow Strictly professional Kai Widdrington.
The dancers were one of four couples on the show, including friends Christine McGuinness and Duncan James, soap stars Danielle Harold and Kimberly Hart-Simpson and husband and wife duo Denise Welch and Lincoln Townley.
Celebrity Hunted aired around March in both 2022 and 2023, so fans were hoping to see a season around the same time this year.
Giovanni has been hit by a series of allegations from former celebrity partners on the BBC show, with the channel forced to investigate “serious claims of workplace misconduct” after three of his celebrity partners sought legal help.
A source said Mirror: ‘This has been a really difficult time for Giovanni, but the tour with Anton continues.
‘There is no reason to cancel it or even postpone it. Gio has not been found guilty of anything, although he is the subject of much speculation.
“The Back Together tour will go ahead and he and Anton will take the stage together as they have done on many tours.”
Anton is said to be “very close” to Giovanni Pernice after he quit Strictly Come Dancing amid the BBC’s “serious misconduct” investigation.
The pair will appear together in a live show called Giovanni and Anton Together: The Live Tour, which will begin in June and run until the end of July, and the duo began rehearsals on Monday.
Giovanni posted a video of the couple on his Instagram Stories and the accompanying promotional photo shows the two men hugging, proving that they are best friends.
Anton opened the clip saying: ‘The first day of rehearsals, always my favorite day. The second day, less’, to which Giovanni laughed.
Meanwhile, Giovanni’s friend Anton Du Beke is supporting his friend as it emerged that the couple’s tour will not be canceled following the allegations.
Giovanni was said to be “cooperating fully” with the BBC investigation and has launched a counterattack by law firm Schillings.
A source said Sun: ‘Giovanni and Anton chatted about another travel schedule and discussed where they could go after their trips to Sicily and Spain.
“But now Giovanni has been told that this will not happen and that there will not be another series.
“It’s embarrassing because he had actively hinted that he would do another performance, but all discussions are dead and he’s been told the show is on the scrap heap now.”
Giovanni has also signed with talent agency Off Limits in a bid to rebuild his profile, after several Strictly co-stars remained silent about the claims he faces.
On Wednesday, Schillings confirmed they had been hired by the troubled Strictly dancer, in what TV insiders are describing as a “bold move” after his former dancer Amanda and two other women ordered Carter Ruck’s lawyers to They will complain to the BBC.