A Strictly Come Dancing professional has become the latest star to show their support for Giovanni Pernice.
The professional dancer, 33, has been embroiled in controversy for months due to allegations about his behaviour on the BBC dance competition - allegations he has strongly denied. It was confirmed earlier this month that Giovanni would not be part of the 2024 series and that the BBC had launched an internal investigation.
Some of his co-stars including head judge Shirley Ballas and friend Anton Du Beke have publicly come out in support of Giovanni. Now, professional dancer Lauren Oakley has shared her support to the under fire star. She attended Giovanni and Anton's show and cheered on her former colleague from the audience.
She shared a snap from her seat of the stage and programme for the show as she captioned it with a series of love heart emojis. Loose Women star Ruth Langsford has also been to watch the show and was on hand to watch the duo perform. "Great night watching @mrantondubeke and @giovannipernice," Ruth gushed as she shared a video of the show on her Instagram Stories. "Go and see it if you can. Fantastic dancers. Fantastic singers. Fantastic band."
Judge Shirley recently admitted Giovanni will be "missed" from the show. Speaking at a promotion for her new book, she declared: “I know he is a hard worker. He wants the 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 also I don't believe gossip and what you read in the newspapers because things get escalated and they are blown way out of all proportion and it can turn into a great big snowball.
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Lauren attended Giovanni and Anton's show (@laurenmayoakley/Instagram)
The professional dancer appeared to show her support to Giovanni (BBC/Ray Burmiston)“So my feeling for Giovanni is, let them do this investigation or whatever it is they are doing and the truth will come out. So we don’t judge anybody until I know absolutely 100 per cent. I won’t pass on the gossip unless I know 100 per cent it is true. I have never ever, ever experienced any ill will or bad feeling or bad sportsmanship or rudeness from him. He will be missed.”
Giovanni has also received support from former celebrity partner Debbie McGee.Sharing a photo of the two of them on the show, the 65-year-old wrote on Instagram : "I am heartbroken for @giovannipernice My experience on Strictly will always be happy and life changing. Gio nurtured me through my grief and gave me confidence I could do things I thought was beyond me."
Former show professional Kristina Rihanoff previously spoke out in support of the star as she called him one of the show's best dancers and choreographers. Speaking on This Morning, she said: "The news, I'm very saddened because I think when you lose one of the best choreographers and dancers on the show, as a professional dancer, I can say that it is very sad as he produced some very memorable dances and took quite a few of his celebrity partners through to the final. So from a professional point of view, I think the show will lose a wonderful dancer and choreographer."
Earlier this month, the dancer issued a statement to his fans on Instagram as he stated: "To my fans and followers, Every week, there are totally untrue stories about me in the media. As you know, I have always rejected any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour. The latest accusations are simply false.
"I am cooperating fully with the ongoing BBC investigation, which will determine the truth. As requested, I have stayed silent, but I am looking forward to the conclusion of the investigation and ultimately clearing my name and establishing the truth. I am so happy to be back on tour. Thank you all for your continued support you messages and love mean so very much to me. I will hopefully see many of you very soon and I look forward to clearing my name. With love, Giovanni."
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