Karen Hauer has said she will “miss” her co-star Giovanni Pernice while discussing her exit from Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday.
The Venezuelan dancer, 42, who is the longest-serving professional on the hit BBC show at 13 years, said the departure of Giovanni, 33, from the show was a “big surprise”.
The BBC has launched an investigation into Giovanni after he was accused of “threatening and abusive behaviour” while working with celebrity contestants on the show, including Amanda Abbington, 50, Ranvir Singh and Laura Whitmore.
Karen has now said the allegations against Giovanni are “really sad” and that she has “not spoken” to the professional dancer as he is currently busy on tour.
She said Mirror: ‘We’ll miss him. It was a huge surprise. Things can happen that we don’t know about. I don’t want to say anything that’s not right and I don’t want to hurt anyone. But it’s not a nice feeling for anyone.
Karen Hauer has said she will “miss” her co-star Giovanni Pernice while speaking about her exit from Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday
The Venezuelan dancer, 42, who is the longest-serving professional on the hit BBC show at 13, said Giovanni, 33,’s resignation from the show was a “big surprise”.
‘We’re all very busy during the show doing our thing. We’re all in a bubble with our own celebrities. I couldn’t comment (on the allegations). I haven’t spoken to him; he’s busy doing his thing on tour. I don’t know what happened. It’s really sad.’
Furthermore, Karen also revealed that she is happy to be married for the fourth time when she opened up about her relationship with her ex-rugby player boyfriend Simon Davidson.
The BBC star, who has been divorced three times, does not rule out remarrying as she admitted that she is “in love” and that their relationship is going “brilliant.”
She said: “Everything is going great. I really enjoy a good wedding. My mother loves it. They cook together all the time. She doesn’t speak English and he doesn’t speak Spanish, so it’s interesting, but they get along very well. I’m definitely in love. “.
Karen added that as she grew up and went through “so many marriages and divorces, I have nothing left to fight about since I’ve already fought it.”
The professional dancer says she now understands what she needs from a partner: “support and understanding.”
The beauty went on to say that she would “never say never” to remarrying, but that she is “taking it slow” and getting to know Simon properly “before taking the next step.”
Karen was married to dancer Matthew Hauer for nine years, then entered into a romance with her professional partner Kevin Clifton, to whom she was married for three years until the couple divorced in 2018.
Her third marriage to fitness instructor Jordan Wyn-Jones lasted two years.
The BBC launched an investigation into Giovanni after he was accused of “threatening and abusive behaviour” while working with celebrity contestants on the show, including Amanda Abbington and Laura Whitmore.
Karen has now said the allegations against Giovanni are “really sad” and that she has “not spoken” to the professional dancer as he is currently busy on tour.
She said: ‘We will miss him. It was a big surprise. Things can happen that we don’t know about. But it’s not a nice feeling for anyone. I don’t know what happened. It’s really sad.’
This comes after head judge Shirley Ballas defended the professional dancer. Giovanni earlier this month.
Shirley said in Pay TV‘s Lorraine: ‘I have known Giovanni for many years and he is an absolutely splendid teacher. My only experience with him is that he is an absolute gentleman. He gives 100%.
‘Strictly speaking, shows like that are tough shows, so you know when you sign up for that kind of thing. It’s quite difficult to put on the show.’
Giovanni’s former celebrity partner Amanda claimed the show left her with PTSD and reportedly demanded footage of the pair rehearsing together, hoping video footage could “back up” her claims.
Three women, including actress Amanda, also reportedly hired lawyers for £700 an hour at top London law firm Carter Ruck.
The dancer has hit back at rival law firm Schillings. Her case is being handled by Joelle Rich, 39, who represented Johnny Depp in his 2020 defamation trial.
A spokesperson for Giovanni told the publication: ‘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 television show, when decisions are made for entertainment purposes, producers have a duty of care to all participants.”
On the other hand, Karen also revealed that she is happy to be married for the fourth time and spoke about her relationship with her ex-rugby player boyfriend Simon Davidson.
The BBC star, who has been divorced three times, has not ruled out getting married again and admitted she is “in love” and that their relationship is going “brilliant”.
The beauty went on to say that she would “never say never” to getting married again, but that she is “taking it slow” and getting to know Simon properly “before taking the next step.”
This comes after head judge Shirley Ballas defended Strictly’s Giovanni Pernice, who has been accused of “bullying behaviour”, and called him “a splendid teacher” and “an absolute gentleman”.
Giovanni also shared a post on Instagram detailing that he was “totally shocked” by the allegations, which he denies.
He said in a statement: ‘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 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 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.
‘Thank you all once again for your continued love and support!’
