Giovanni Pernice has broken his silence on his future at the BBC as he cast doubt on his return to Strictly after a tumultuous year.
The professional dancer, 34, admitted he needed a “break” after the BBC launched a misconduct investigation into his behavior following harassment allegations by Amanda Abbington.
The BBC cleared the Sicilian of ten of 16 allegations when it concluded its investigation in September.
And now, speaking for the first time about his future at the BBC, Giovanni confessed he needs a break and admitted Strictly is “exhausting”.
Speaking on the How To Be Famous podcast with former Strictly contestant Debbie McGee’s nephew James Phelan, Giovanni said: ‘As I said before, you never know what’s going to be next.
‘Strictly, like all other jobs where you have to give your life 100 per cent, they’re quite exhausting, you know?
Giovanni Pernice has broken his silence on his future at the BBC and admitted he is “tired” following Amanda Abbington’s harassment row.
The professional dancer, 34, admitted he needed a “break” after the BBC launched a misconduct investigation into his behavior following allegations of harassment by Amanda.
‘When I said I need a break, I need a break, but never say never?’
Giovanni also hinted at the end of his Adventures In Travel series with Strictly Judge and close friend Anton, 58.
The couple previously visited Giovanni’s native Sicily and Spain, however, Giovanni admitted that they are unsure about the future of the show.
He confessed: ‘No, we don’t know yet. I think the BBC’s budget is quite low, so we keep doing what we’re doing.
“It’s a shame because it was a successful show, I think it had between four and five million viewers.”
The BBC declined to comment when approached by MailOnline.
Amanda abruptly left the show in just the fifth week of the series last year, citing personal reasons, before accusing the dancer of “bad” and “cruel” behavior.
It was later revealed that Giovanni would not be returning for this year’s 20th anniversary series while the BBC carried out an investigation into his behaviour.
Giovanni also hinted at the end of his Adventures In Travel series with strict judge and close friend Anton Du Beke.
He confessed: ‘No, we don’t know yet. I think the BBC’s budget is quite low, so we keep doing what we’re doing. It’s a shame because it was a successful show, I think it had between four and five million viewers.
Amanda abruptly left the show in just the fifth week of the series last year, citing personal reasons, before accusing the dancer of “bad” and “cruel” behavior.
While Giovanni was cleared of 10 allegations, six were upheld, some involving bullying and harassment, prompting an apology from BBC bosses.
The BBC also agreed with Amanda that she sometimes seemed to give her comments that were too negative.
Speaking on the podcast, Giovanni laughed when askedHad he ever thought “for God’s sake” when he was paired with a celebrity.
Laughing, he admitted: ‘Yes, sometimes, sometimes, but that’s the truth, that’s reality. If you brought me here and one of the professional dancers said “no,” that’s a lie.
“But as a good professional, you just deal with it, make it work until the end and try to get the most out of it.”
A source previously said the sun that Giovanni’s return to Strictly would not be possible after they publicly apologized to Amanda.
They said: “While it is recognized that Giovanni remains popular with many Strictly viewers, there is a strong acceptance that he may never return to the show.”
‘His time on Strictly is over. There is no turning back for him.
While Giovanni was cleared of 10 allegations, six were upheld, some involving bullying and harassment, prompting an apology from BBC bosses.
“That is not a formal punishment, it is a decision made at a corporate level, concerned with protecting the reputation of what is a great Saturday night family show.”
It comes after Giovanni insisted he bears no ill will towards Amanda after being cleared of most bullying allegations.
Giovanni admitted he would have a “nice cup of tea” with the 50-year-old actress if he were in the same room with her now so they could talk things out.
But he denied the pair ever fought in the rehearsal room, claiming they “never had an argument” and that he didn’t know she was uncomfortable until she made the accusations months later.
When asked on Lorraine, which was presented by Christine Lampard, if he would like to apologize to Amanda if he were in a room with her now, Giovanni said: “I think we would have a nice cup of tea, have a chat and talk about what What happened in that room.
“It’s very difficult, because at that time everything was perfect.”
Giovanni added: ‘Amanda and I never had an argument. Yes, she obviously says she was deeply uncomfortable, and that was after six months, but why didn’t you come at that time?
He continued: “You’d come to me and say, ‘We’re not getting along,’ then I’d probably have a chat like any other relationship, we’d chat and talk about it and try to make it better.
Giovanni is currently competing on Ballando Con Le Stelle’ (Dancing with the Stars Italy) alongside his famous contestant, actress and singer Bianca Guaccero.
‘But realistically, Amanda and I never had an argument. We always argue about the steps. Yes, we had meetings with the BBC, but we always moved forward from there. I had a meeting with the BBC with all my other partners.
Despite being cleared of most of Amanda’s complaints and expressing that it had been a difficult year, Giovanni went on to say that he supported Amanda speaking out if she thought something had happened, and said that anyone else should do so at that time. situation.
“It’s good that Amanda came to talk about something she thought had happened,” he said.
‘It’s important that if something doesn’t feel right, it’s important that you talk to someone. I’m not against the fact that the investigation started in the first place, because everyone, literally everyone, if they have a problem, should go and talk to someone in production on this case.
“So I think he did the right thing. Yes, and I’m glad the investigation is over and we got results.’
At the end of the chat with Christine, Giovanni alluded to the fact that a return to Strictly was not completely ruled out.
He said: “I think right now I’m very focused on Dancing with the Stars Italia.”
‘I’ve got a tour in January, so I’ll definitely be back in the UK from January to July, and then who knows. Never say never.’