Giovanni Pernice, one of the longest-serving dancers on Strictly Come Dancing, found himself in a whirlwind when he was paired with Amanda Abbington.
The Sherlock and Mr Selfridge actress reportedly chose Giovanni during the BBC show’s ‘speed dating’ process, where celebrities and professional dancers have a quick dance and chat.
Initially, Giovanni was pleased with his partner choice, believing Amanda had the potential to win the final with him. However, things quickly went downhill, and within weeks, Amanda had left the show.
Moreover, the 50-year-old lodged a formal complaint about 34 year old Giovanni, triggering an investigation that allegedly cost licence-fee payers over £250,000. In the end, only six of Amanda’s 17 complaints were upheld, including verbal bullying and harassment – such as using swear words, ‘belittling’ language and giving negative feedback to his partner.
He was cleared of the most serious allegations of physical aggression. As Giovanni gives his first interview since leaving Strictly earlier this year, here are six bombshells from it – and he reveals his plans for the future, as reports the Mirror.
Rude banter
Just days after being partnered, Giovanni said Strictly bosses called him and Amanda in for a chat after noticing their use of bad language towards each other – wanting to check if either party was offended by it.
Giovanni described his partner as ‘a laugh’ and someone who wasn’t afraid to use the c-word or kick off ‘dark jokes’. He recalled their ‘rude banter’ from the start, telling producers: “Amanda was like, ‘Oh yeah it’s fine, I call him that! I started it.”
Secret WhatsApp messages
Initially, Giovanni believed their partnership was going well, with Amanda even praising him as an “incredible teacher” via text.
However, he was taken aback when a fellow celebrity hinted at trouble, referencing messages Amanda had sent to the celebrity WhatsApp group expressing her discontent.
Giovanni shared with the Daily Mail: “One of the celebrities came to me and said, ‘You didn’t have a great week, did you? ‘ I was like, ‘What are you talking about? ‘ But Amanda had told them she had a horrible week – and that was week one, before the show had even started.”
Recorded rehearsals
Concerned about potential ‘untruths’, Giovanni began recording their training sessions for his own protection, despite not suspecting Amanda would make any accusations. He admitted feeling unsafe and uncomfortable after learning she was sharing conflicting stories.
Eventually, the producers took over filming the rehearsals and informed Amanda of this decision. Contrary to this, Amanda later claimed it was her request to have the sessions recorded.
Last contact and health scare
During week six of the show in October 2023, Giovanni was left “gutted” after receiving a call from producers informing him that Amanda had decided to leave the show. Earlier that day, Amanda had sent him a message saying she was unable to focus due to discovering two lumps in her breasts while showering.
That message would be the last one he received from her. Giovanni responded with concern, asking: “Please tell me it’s nothing serious.”
He even contacted his doctors to arrange for her to have a scan.
His final text to Amanda read: “Can I help you? Please let me help you, forget about the dance, forget about the show, this is more important than anything.”
However, Amanda did not respond, and they ceased further communication.
Giovanni’s fears
Following Amanda’s formal complaint against him, Giovanni admits he has been at a loss as to when she might stop pursuing the issue. In recent months, he has found himself frequently in tears over the situation and has experienced depression, particularly when his parents were questioned about whether he was a bully.
The most distressing moment came when Amanda alleged on television that some of her bullying accusations against him were of a ‘sexual nature’, a claim that has not been substantiated by the BBC.
Giovanni disclosed his frustration, admitting he “wanted to punch the television” but had to stay quiet during the ongoing investigation. He expressed his concern: “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… it seemed like the only point was to destroy me.”
Following this, Amanda reportedly told a newspaper that Giovanni had made an inappropriate comment to her, saying ‘You’re a 50 year old menopausal woman but I’d still f*** you.’
However, the BBC report did not substantiate this claim, leaving Giovanni perplexed as he admitted: “I had to ask my agent what the menopause means.”
Not over yet
Despite leaving Strictly Come Dancing in June 2024 and now performing on the Italian version, Giovanni is bracing for another confrontation with the BBC after the release of the report’s findings. In the upcoming meeting, he aims to discuss how he has been treated and is open to the possibility of returning to the show.
He told the Mail: “I’d like to hear what they have to say to me. We need to have a chat about the whole thing. I’m glad that they got the result they did, but there’s a few points I want to talk to them about.”
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