After nine years of delighting audiences with his fancy footwork on Strictly Come Dancing, professional dancer Giovanni Pernice has stunned his fans after he reportedly quit the show following months of speculation about whether he would return. The 33 year old Italian dancer had been in talks to return for the next series of the popular BBC dance show, but a new internal memo listing this year’s dancers has been circulated without his name.
It's now been reported that Giovanni is now seeking a fresh start on other TV shows. The BBC tonight issued a statement regarding Giovanni's future amid the reports.
This surprising move comes after tensions between the dancer and Sherlock star Amanda Abbington, 52, his celeb partner last year. She left the show in October following a series of confrontations that left her in tears thanks to Giovanni's tough training methods, reports The Mirror.
READ MORE: BBC issue a statement as Giovanni Pernice 'quits' Strictly Come Dancing after 9 years
As a result, the actress claimed she was suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and withdrew from the competition for the sake of her mental health. Since then, allegations from other celebrity partners that previously danced with Giovanni have surfaced, with many stars critical of his brutal training style.
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Amanda Abbington claimed to have suffered from PTSD after working with Giovanni (BBC)"Gio feels the scrutiny on him has become too much, and now is the time to make a fresh start," a source said of Giovanni's reported exit this evening. "He wants to focus on other TV projects, and feels he's achieved all he can on Strictly, having won the trophy back in 2021 and reaching the final an unprecedented four times."
The insider told The Sun: "He remains adamant he's done nothing wrong other than being a hard taskmaster, but knows his style of training isn't to everyone's liking - especially in this day and age. He has a lot of other exciting projects in the pipeline right now, and he's just super-excited to get cracking on them. This, now, is his priority.”
With fans now left reeling from Giovanni’s departure from our screens, we take a closer look back at what his dance partners have said about their partnership over the years…
Georgia May Foote - 2015
Georgia May Foote and Giovanni Pernice were partnered together on the 2015 series of Strictly (Getty)When Giovanni joined Strictly all the way back in 2015, his first-ever pairing was with ex-Coronation Street star Georgia May Foote. During her time on the show, Georgia was dating her co-star Sean Ward, who played Callum Logan, at the time, and had been seen cheering on his girlfriend in the audience.
However their relationship hit the rocks in December of that year, after Giovanni and Georgia’s sizzling chemistry saw more than just professional connections being made. Just weeks later the finalists - who came runners-up to The Wanted singer Jay McGuiness and his partner Aliona Vilani - were seen kissing during a Disneyland Paris trip in the New Year.
Their whirlwind romance picked up a pace and the pair moved in together within weeks of the end of the series, when Georgia gushed it was "the best thing that had ever happened" to her. Rumours of an engagement quickly swirled when a ring was spotted on her left hand, although the couple said it was a 'commitment band' rather than a promise of marriage.
But it wasn't long before cracks started to show. Georgia, who commended Gio for his teaching skills, admitted struggling with feelings of jealousy in the summer of 2016 ahead of the new series of Strictly, saying: "Of course I'll get jealous. Whoever Giovanni gets is a very lucky girl. He's a great teacher.
While on the show, romance blossomed between the pair (Instagram)
There was even talk of marriage at one point (Instagram)"I'm excited for whoever he gets and, yeah, he's a great teacher, so I'm happy for him. I think it's fine," she added. Unfortunately just weeks later, their relationship came to an end, when Giovanni publicly announced their split just as he was paired with former Love Island host Laura Whitmore.
Following the breakup, speculation flew that the decision had been Gio’s alone, and the abrupt end of their relationship had left Georgia reeling from the revelations.
"It was a huge shock for Georgia. They'd been talking about moving things forward and marriage, so for him to dump her doesn't make sense," one pal told New! mag.
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"She's devastated and in shock because it was not something she was expecting. There's a definite feeling among her friends and family that it was very convenient timing for him." But Georgia took back the narrative, tweeting her own statement to fans in late August that year.
"It is with great sadness we have decided to split up," she wrote, a year after they first met.
"There is nobody else involved. Although it was not an easy decision to make, sometimes you realise that it is better to be friends and this is one of those times. We both have very busy work schedules for the rest of the year so we are both going to focus on our upcoming work projects and we wish each other well for the future.”
Laura Whitmore - 2016
Laura Whitmore said she 'hated' how much time she had to spend with Giovanni (BBC)Following his breakup, Giovanni was partnered with Laura Whitmore for the 2016 series of Strictly and the pair were initially billed as the bookies favourite to take home the Glitterball trophy. However, just weeks into training it soon became apparent that things were tense between the pair, with rumours of a strained atmosphere between the two swirling, sparked by Giovanni's alleged 'rudeness' during rehearsals.
To make matters worse, Laura was close friends with Georgia and had to plaster on a smile for the cameras while knowing all about the split between her bestie and her ex. By the time they were voted out in Week 7, the two were barely speaking, according to backstage sources.
"The atmosphere between Laura and Gio was never that great, ," one told the Sun after the pair left the show. "They clashed during rehearsals as Laura got increasingly agitated with Gio's tone.
"They pulled it together for the live shows but behind the scenes, it was a different story. There's certainly no love lost between them and it's doubtful they'll remain in contact when the series is wrapped up later this month.”
Giovanni also appeared to have grown frustrated with Laura’s lack of enthusiasm for their partnership as she frequently refused to film behind the scenes videos with her dance partner, something he felt meant she wasn’t playing the PR game necessary to secure the all important public votes needed to win.
Laura Whitmore admitted she had "cried every day" she was paired with Giovanni (BBC)The pair went their separate ways and in 2018 Laura broke her silence over their strained relationship, as she confessed to feeling"extremely uncomfortable" about being partnered with her friend's ex in a first-person piece for the Huffington Post.
In the piece Laura told readers she "cried every day" she was in the competition.
"I love dancing – I topped the leaderboard twice – but I was thrown into the middle of a break-up that had nothing to do with me. Once again, I was a 'rumoured love interest'," she wrote.
"I was placed with a dance partner I was extremely uncomfortable with – and in the end I felt broken, I cried every day. And I really was broken, both mentally and physically, by the end."
Elaborating further in 2020, Laura hit out at the BBC over the partnership as she lamented having been forced to spend so much time with Giovanni during the competition.Speaking on the Private Parts podcast, Laura said she and her professional partner were together 12 hours a day and also had to appear on red carpet events together.
"What I didn't like was being removed from everybody and having to spend 12 hours a day with this one person," she said.
"It did not become about the dancing. I just wanted to dance. I did not want to play the game of doing red carpets with your dance partner and stuff like that, which a lot of people thought you should be doing. I did not want to do that.”
In recent weeks, Laura is said to have been in contact with Amanda Abbington to discuss her own experiences of working with the dancer on Strictly.
Debbie McGee - 2017
Debbie McGee couldn't be more positive about her time with Giovanni (PA)
One star who had nothing but praise for Giovanni was his 2017 partner Debbie McGee. The 65-year-old radio and stage performer made it all the way to the final with Gio, but was sadly beaten to the Glitterball trophy by Joe McFadden and professional dancer Katya Jones.
Debbie worked tirelessly with Giovanni and said “everyone supported each other” on the show. She recently said: "All my memories of Strictly behind-the-scenes are happy ones. I adored every single minute and every single person I was working with."
Speaking to Express.co.uk, she added: "I never felt an ounce of competitiveness. Everyone supported each other - Pros and Celebrities."
Faye Tozer - 2018
Giovanni Pernice and Faye Tozer didn't always see eye to eye in the 2018 series of Strictly (BBC)Just one year on from his happy partnership with Debbie, Giovanni was back on the dance floor for a new season of Strictly, this time with Steps singer Faye Tozer. Although the pair appeared to get on well for much of the series, by the end they were reportedly "ranting behind each other's back".
"Faye and Giovanni have been struggling with the pressure and have both been ranting behind each other's back," one insider told the Sun - although it was later rubbished by a BBC rep. The source claims Faye was "feeling quite emotional" after "relentless training", and Faye did tweet in the December asking for fans' tips on combating fatigue.
"Wow... this week is super, proper, crazy, hard," she wrote. "I am exhausted! Any top tips for fatigue and focus??? I am all ears!!! xxx @bbcstrictly #semifinalsweek." Despite the fatigue, once again Giovanni danced his way to the final, this time with the singer, but sadly they narrowly missed out on the trophy to Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton.
Michelle Visage - 2019
Michelle Visage clashed with Giovanni as they are 'both fiery Italians' (BBC)
For the 2019 series, Giovanni was partnered up with Drag Race UK judge Michelle Visage and speculation was rife that their gruelling rehearsals were strained as the pair were "locking horns" from day one.
"Michelle has become quite unhappy at times. She has a fiery relationship with Giovanni," a source told the Sun by the November. "Both are very strong characters and they’ve both had a lot to say. He’s probably not used to a partner being quite so in control and calling the shots." Michelle herself even addressed the rumour mill, admitting they were "at each other's throats" because of their shared ethnicity and star sign.
"We’re both Italian. We’re both intense. We’re both Virgos. So there’s a perfectionist level that’s really ridiculous between us," she said. "He wants it quicker than I’m able to provide it. So Mondays and Tuesdays is a lot of us at each other’s throats. By the end of the week, we're totally in love with each other again and it’s fine.
"I’ve never walked out. We just like to fight. We like to fight it out, but it’s just that’s all in love. Our relationship is very fiery. It is , but it’s perfect.”
Despite the reassurance that things were fine, fans weren’t convinced and Michelle later took to social media to set the record straight as she told her followers: "The articles about my partner and I have been upsetting," she said in an Instagram statement ahead of their Blackpool performance, after which they were voted off.
"If anyone knows us, you would know how close Giovanni and I are. Gio is my best friend in this competition, he is my rock and I trust him with everything. We have the most fun and laughs together and to suggest otherwise is just sad."
Ranvir Singh - 2020
Ranvir was placed in a bubble with Giovanni during the 2020 series of Strictly which took place during the pandemic (BBC)
For the 2020 series of Strictly, which took place during the pandemic, Giovanni was paired with Good Morning Britain newsreader Ranvir Singh. Due to quarantine restrictions at the time, it meant the celebrities and their professional partners had to bubble together to prevent the spread of the virus, so one half of each couple had to live alone while the other half could remain with their household.
Despite the obstacles they faced - including social distancing and a reduced runtime from the usual 12 weeks down to just nine - the 2020 Strictly series quickly gained traction with fans, with many even speculating that romance could be blossoming between the pair due to their on-screen chemistry.
As the rumour mill began to hot up, Giovanni was forced to deny they were anything more than colleagues, telling Entertainment Daily: "Every year there's always a romance rumour with a different partner. I mean, even if you don't have a partner there's a rumour. The thing is you get very close when you dance with another person, but dancing is equal to acting. You have to deliver a performance. Each dance is a different story."
He added: "No, no, no no no. I'm single, absolutely there's no way [he would date Ranvir]. We are very very good friends. Every time you get close in a Rumba or Argentine tango with your partner they try to make out a story. So if they think that there is a romance, it means we are doing it absolutely right.”
In one unexpected move following the show’s conclusion, despite their reportedly solid friendship Ranvir unfollowed Giovanni on social media, although she did later re-follow him. There was also speculation of further friction between the pair when she failed to post any messages of support to him and dance partner Rose Ayling Ellis when they competed in the show the following year.
Rose Ayling-Ellis - 2021
Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice formed a strong bond on the show (Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
Even three years on from their successful Glitterball win, the couple are still close friends (Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)After narrowly missing out on the Glitterball trophy twice, Giovanni’s partnership with EastEnders star Rose Ayling Ellis finally saw him break his losing streak when the pair danced their way to victory for the 2021 series. While competing on the show, the pair struck up a strong bond, with Gio even learning British Sign Language to communicate with Rose, who herself is Deaf.
Upon their historic win, the actress shared some kind words about her partner. "He came into my world and brought the best out of me. I cannot thank him enough for all the work and effort to make me become the dancer that I am today. Winning the Glitterball is the best gift I could ever give to Giovanni because he really deserves it.”
In a clear testament to their friendship, the pair have remained close even three years later with the duo constantly meeting up to support each other and catch up on multiple occasions.
Rose also visited Giovanni in his native Sicily, where she was introduced to the star's sister Angela on Gio's BBC One travel show with Strictly judge Anton Du Beke. Speaking to OK! Magazine in 2022, Rose asked: "After what we went through, how could we not stay in touch?”
Richie Anderson - 2022
Richie Anderson and Giovanni Pernice were caught up in rumours of a "feud" back in 2022 (BBC)In 2022, Gio made Strictly history when he was given his first male partner for the show, radio star Richie Anderson. However just days into their partnership talk of friction began to hit the press, with the pair even rumoured to be locked in a “feud” after failing to “click” as a pairing.
The duo attempted to supress the speculation of trouble between them when Richie shared a clip of their cha-cha-cha to Instagram, captioning it: "A moment I'll never forget and so grateful I got to share it with Giovanni.
"Thank you Gio for being the most amazing teacher over the past fortnight. Last night was a dream come true moment."
Insiders claimed Gio was left frustrated by Richie's approach to rehearsals, with one saying: "The pair haven't clicked. Richie is so swept up by the whole experience that he is talking 100 words a minute, and it can be hard for Giovanni.
"He has told pals that Richie talks instead of listening during training, and it is frustrating." But a Strictly source rubbished the rumours, adding: "Talk of them not getting on is nonsense. They are having such a laugh and were thrilled at the reaction on Saturday night."
Amanda Abbington - 2023
Amanda Abbington famously quit the show last year after struggling to work with Giovanni (BBC)
Giovanni’s most recent partnership with Amanda Abbington is by far his most controversial after their time on Strictly came to an abrupt end on Monday, October 24 when it was announced live on Strictly: It Takes Two that actress Amanda wasn't returning to the contest after pulling out of the weekend's show.
Although no reason was given at the time beyond medical grounds, it later emerged that Amanda had pulled out of the show for the sake of her mental health after struggling with Gio’s intense training tactics.
One source claimed Amanda, 52, had been left shaken by Gio's "militant and aggressive" training style and had wanted to pull out of the competition even before the first live show. "Giovanni is a hard taskmaster and takes the competition very, very seriously," they said.
"Amanda was really looking forward to dancing with him, but has found his aggressive training style and attitude pretty difficult to handle. He is quite militant in his approach to training. She’s been left very shaken, and has liaised with her team about quitting."
The pair got through the first four weeks of the competition with impressive scores, but Amanda shocked fans when she pulled out of the week five show due to "medical issues". Less than 48 hours later, Fleur East revealed she had dramatically quit the series, and Amanda later broke her silence to reveal it was due to "personal reasons" - and later said she had been diagnosed with PTSD.
"It is with deepest regret that I had to leave Strictly. I did not come to this decision easily or lightly but for personal reasons I am unable to continue," she wrote on Instagram. "It was an absolute joy working with my fellow contestants, they are a beautiful, hardworking and talented group of people who I love and who I will miss seeing every Friday and Saturday and competing alongside.
"I want to thank the incredible Production team and everyone on Strictly who looked after me and who are so kind and caring. It’s a wonderful bunch of people and I’ll miss all of them," she added.
Amanda has hit out at Giovanni several times for his behaviour on the show, with the star having reportedly struggled with his intense training sessions (BBC)"I’m so sad that I am unable to go any further. Thank you to everyone who voted and who sent wonderful messages and inspiring support. You are all amazing. Truly. Thank you. xxx.”
Following her exit, Giovanni paid a tribute to her on social media as he shared a snap of the pair alongside the comment: "Amanda .. I am so sad we can’t continue but I am proud of what we achieved and I am sending you so much love @amanda_abbington74 @bbcstrictly.”
Since then, Amanda has reportedly demanded to see behind-the-scenes footage of her time on the show and has even been rumoured to have enlisted the help of a “big name Lawyer” to look at her case. Amanda reportedly met with Giovanni's former dance partners Ranvir Singh and Laura Whitmore to discuss their experiences of working with the dancer. New reports suggest Steps star Faye Tozer also struggled to work with him.
Earlier this year, both Giovanni and Anton discussed Amanda's exit for the first time in The Mirror. Speaking on our Invite Only podcast Giovanni admitted: "I am a perfectionist, 100%, but it comes from a perspective of caring. I think all of the professional dancers are in the same place. In every single part of the world, if you’re a professional dancer on one of these shows, you have to get these people looking the best they can on Saturday night.
"And if we have good scores at the end, I do look back and say, ‘I’ve done a great job’. But we all care about our partners and we want that for them every single week – to look great on a Saturday. There’s no specific way that you are, or have to be with your celebrity. You make the most of their strengths so the only thing that’s constant is the fact that you have to do a show on Saturday night.”
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