Aljaž Škorjanec announced his return to Strictly Come Dancing on Monday after it was confirmed that Giovanni Pernice would not be rejoining the cast.
The professional dancer, 34, who welcomed a daughter, Lyra, with partner Janette Manrara in July last year, said he hoped to make the one-year-old proud after his two-year break from the BBC show.
Giovanni, 33, left the show last month amid a scandal after being accused of displaying “threatening and abusive” behaviour towards his famous dance partners.
During an appearance on The One Show this week, Aljaž confirmed he will be tearing up the dance floor again for the new series this autumn.
Fans will once again be waltzing across the screens for the 20th year of the dance competition.
Aljaž Škorjanec announced his return to Strictly Come Dancing on Monday after it was confirmed that Giovanni Pernice would not be rejoining the cast.
As Strictly celebrates two spectacular decades of dance, this series promises to be even more special with even more glitz, glamour and unforgettable performances.
Aljaž and his celebrity partner Abbey Clancy lifted the Glitterball in their debut year on the show in 2013 and came second in 2017 with partner Gemma Atkinson.
He said: ‘I couldn’t be more excited to be back with the Strictly family! This year is a very special one for this legendary show, I can’t wait to be a part of it and get back on the dance floor.
‘I had a fantastic time during my nine years on Strictly, during my time away I became a mother which has been an exciting challenge in itself and now I’m ready to experience the magic of Strictly again.
‘It feels so good to be back, I missed the fun, the sparkle and of course the judges and I hope to make my daughter Lyra proud!’
Sarah James, Executive Producer of Strictly Come Dancing, added: ‘We’re all so excited that Aljaž is back in the Strictly Ballroom, bringing his incredible choreography and passion for dance.
“During his nine series run he was a huge favourite with viewers across the country. I’m sure everyone will enjoy him joining us to entertain the nation in a very special 20th year of the show.”
The announcement comes after Giovanni laughed off his shock exit from Strictly as he hosted a dance workshop with his company Ballando on Sunday.
The professional dancer, 34, who welcomed daughter Lyra with partner Janette Manrara in July last year, said he hoped to make the one-year-old proud after their two-year hiatus.
Giovanni, 33, left the show last month amid a scandal after being accused of displaying “threatening and abusive” behaviour towards his famous dance partners.
Although many have predicted what the dancer might do next, he didn’t seem too worried about his career prospects as he joked about making his pantomime debut.
While teaching the participants a Cha Cha Cha, the professional insisted that when they responded they should not simply say ‘yes’ but ‘yes, Giovanni’, while adding with a mischievous glint in his eye: ‘I’m getting used to doing panto, I’m practising!’.
In another joke about his career projection, the dancer gathered the group to help him film content for social media, explaining: “Well, I’m an influencer now!”
While it was claimed BBC bosses banned the cast from discussing the “bullying discussion”, the pair proudly showed their support for the star by teaching at her event.
As Shirley, 57, took to the stage to teach Jive, she couldn’t help but express her support for Giovanni, who left Strictly this year amid scandal.
She told the dancers it was an “honour and a privilege” to be in the workshop with Giovanni, 33, adding: “I’ve known him for 10 years and we’re good friends…”
Shirley gave the Italian professional a “huge thank you” for inviting her to his workshop and continued: “I will be a person who will be by his side forever. With him, what you see is what you get.”
The Queen of Latin went on to share a story about Giovanni’s caring side, revealing that when her mother Audrey battled cancer, Giovanni was a source of comfort to her.
She recalled: ‘He was there for me and even when we were very busy, he always asked me how I was.
‘We were at an event with a group of VIPs and my mother and I were on the other side of the room, but Giovanni walked past all of them to come and talk to us.’
While Giovanni has been the subject of a lot of criticism amid the bullying controversy, Shirley can certainly relate to that as she has also had to deal with backlash and trolling.
The professional dancer, 33, is at the centre of a bullying row following allegations of misconduct made by fellow Strictly contestant Amanda Abbington, 52, and two other women.
As many as five celebrities have already “provided formal statements” to two former Metropolitan Police detectives leading the investigation, according to Sun.
One source said the investigation could “stretch into next year” and management feels there is significant “pressure” to ensure it is as thorough as possible.
The source said: ‘As many as five stars have given evidence in statements and WhatsApp exchanges. Gio is likely to be questioned at the end, once everything else is in order.
“He is more than happy to speak with investigators and is determined to clear his name.”
The source added that the BBC hopes the findings will not be published in the middle of the next series, as the programme celebrates its 20th anniversary.
The BBC has launched an investigation after Giovanni was accused of “bullying behaviour” while working with celebrity contestants on the dance show, including Amanda, Ranvir Singh and Laura Whitmore.
Amanda, 50, left the competition midway through the series, citing personal reasons after weeks of rumours about a feud with Giovanni.
The Sherlock star said he has been diagnosed with PTSD and demanded to see footage from rehearsals.
Amanda later denied reports that Giovanni had asked the BBC to record his rehearsals with the actress due to growing concerns about her behaviour, claiming it was she who requested their dance practices be filmed, not him.
“I asked for them to be recorded, it was me. Giovanni is unpleasant. He was horrible to some of us, to a group of us.”
The actress is said to have met with Laura and Ranvir earlier this year for an “emotional summit” to “compare notes” on her time working with Giovanni amid the BBC investigation.
Giovanni has counterattacked by hiring rival law firm Schillings. His case is being handled by Joelle Rich, 39, who represented Johnny Depp in his 2020 defamation trial.
A spokesman for Giovanni said: ‘Schillings is working with BBC Studios to provide Giovanni with evidence to strongly refute the claims made about him and confirm that Giovanni is fully cooperating.
‘As with any reality show, when decisions are made for entertainment reasons, producers have a duty of care to all participants.’
Giovanni also shared a post on Instagram detailing that he was “totally shocked” by the allegations, which he denies.
Giovanni has faced a wave of scrutiny since Amanda (pictured) dramatically resigned last year.
In 2016, former Love Island host Laura Whitmore said she “cried every day” and felt “uncomfortable” while training with him.
Good Morning Britain presenter Ranvir Singh also complained about Giovanni to producers in 2020, during his time on the show.
Former partners have also come out in support of him, including Debbie McGee, the widow of magician Paul Daniels, who was paired with him in 2017.
He said in a statement: ‘You will be as shocked as I am that allegations about my dance teaching methods have been made in the media this week.
‘Of course, I reject any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour, and I look forward to clearing my name.
‘Those who have followed my journey on Strictly Come Dancing over the past decade will know that I am passionate and competitive. No one is more ambitious than me when it comes to my fellow dancers.
“I have always strived to help them become the best dancers they can be. This always came from a place of love and desire to win, for myself and my fellow dancers.
‘Thank you all once again for your continued love and support!’
