STRICTLY judge Shirley Ballas is standing by under-fire pro dancer Giovanni Pernice and said he has always been a “perfect gentleman”.
She revealed she will be spending time with him this weekend after inviting him to a party — and insisted he would be “missed” on the show, after he quit.
Giovanni is being investigated by the BBC amid bullying allegations by three female stars.
The broadcaster has brought in two ex-Metropolitan police officers to look into the case.
Gio’s former Strictly partner, actress Amanda Abbington, said she had PTSD after dancing with him on the show.
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She is being backed by ex-Love Island host Laura Whitmore — who was also his dance partner — and another female star.
They are helping the BBC investigation.
Giovanni has denied all the allegations and has vowed to clear his name.
Head judge Shirley is the first of the Strictly panel to speak in support of Gio.
She said: “I just spoke to Giovanni 30 minutes before coming here and I am going to one of his ballando classes to teach the jive.
“He is coming to my party on Sunday.
“You know, I can only talk from my own perspective.
“I have known Giovanni for ten years.
“He has always been to me, — and I will make that clear, to me — a perfect gentleman.
“I know he is a hard worker.
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“He wants people to do the very best that they can do.
“Obviously, in my life, I was bullied a lot.
“I don’t condone bullying on any path.
“But I don’t believe gossip because things are blown way out of all proportion and it can turn into a great big snowball.
“So my feeling for Giovanni is, let them do this investigation and the truth will come out.
“So we don’t judge anybody until I know absolutely, 100 percent.”
Speaking at a Q&A to promote her new crime novel, Shirley went on: “I have never ever, ever, ever experienced any ill will, bad feeling or bad sportsmanship or rudeness from him.
“My mother loves him.
“It does not matter when he is on tour, or where he is or what he is doing, he will make his way across and he will say ‘Lovely to see you Shirley.
“Lovely to see your mum.’”
