GIOVANNI Pernice returned to British television today for the first time since the conclusion of a Strictly Come Dancing investigation into his conduct.
Appearing on Lorraine, hosted by Christine Lampard, a suited Giovanni said: “When you have somebody in your hands, like Amanda, she was brilliant and unbelievable at dancing.
Amanda Abbington broke down in tears and accused Gio of passing comments ‘of a sexual nature’[/caption]
Giovanni thought his career would be over after Amanda’s interview with Krishnan Guru-Muthy[/caption]
“I’m upset because we could have made it all the way to the final. My job is to tackle everything out of my partner. It’s in the public domain the fact I’m a strict teacher. If you want to achieve greatness, I think this is the right way to do.”
The Italian star, 34, admitted he “wanted to punch the TV” when watching former dance partner Amanda Abbington discussing claims made against him.
Giovanni said in a new interview that he “sobbed” when he heard the actress was to appear on Channel 4 to claim her bullying allegations were ‘of a sexual nature’.
Amanda’s interview with Krishnan Guru-Murthy, who had competed alongside her in the 2023 series of Strictly, aired in July.
Giovanni has now broken his silence after the BBC finally cleared him of 10 of the 16 allegations the Sherlock actress had made against him.
The ex Strictly pro told Mail+: “I wanted to punch the television. I didn’t watch it, I couldn’t watch the interview because I was thinking, ‘Why would you talk on live TV when we’ve both been asked not to talk about it?’
“My Sicilian blood would rise up and I’d think, ‘This isn’t the truth’ – but I had to remain silent.”
Amanda’s interview with Krishnan aired three months in to the BBC’s £250,000 investigation, which wrapped up in September.
Giovanni said the televised chat on Channel 4 in July was the first time there had been a mention of anything “sexual”.
“Of course, I was worried it could destroy my career – the people that come to my shows are kids and women,” he added to the publication.
Giovanni was partnered with Amanda on the 2023 series of Strictly Come Dancing.
But she departed in week six, citing medical reasons. Amanda later accused Giovanni of bullying – which he vehemently denies.
Giovanni decided to quit Strictly in May after nine years on the BBC dancing show.
It came as he faced allegations over his training methods with his former celebrity partners, including Amanda.
Last month, the BBC published the findings of its five-month investigation into the alleged scandal.
Giovanni was cleared of 10 of the 16 allegations made against him.
It did, however, find instances of the professional dancer using “belittling” language towards her, and the Beeb apologised to Amanda.
Giovanni will be appearing on ITV’s Lorraine to discuss the bullying probe and its outcome on Tuesday morning (October 22).
Strictly 2024 pairings
Here’s who is matched with who this series…
Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell
Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas
JB Gill and Amy Dowden MBE
Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe
Nick Knowles and Luba Mushtuk
Paul Merson and Karen Hauer
Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystał
Punam Krishan and Gorka Márquez
Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec
Tom Dean MBE and Nadiya Bychkova
Toyah Willcox and Neil Jones
Sam Quek MBE and Nikita Kuzmin
Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola
Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu
Wynne Evans and Katya Jones
A TV source told The Sun: “Amanda has conducted a number of interviews throughout the investigation on high-profile platforms like Channel 4 News but Giovanni was not able to do so as a BBC employee.
“Now it is complete, Giovanni is able to discuss certain things but most importantly, move forward with his career.
“He will chat to Lorraine about his upcoming solo tour The Last Dance and run of new dates for his gigs with Anton Du Beke.”
Giovanni is currently taking part in Italy‘s version of Strictly Come Dancing.
He relocated to Italy as Amanda spoke out about her ordeal on Newsnight following the BBC investigation.
She claimed her nightmare rehearsals with Gio got so bad she was actually relieved when a cancer scare meant she could quit the show.
The BBC apologised to the actress as she revealed her experience with him was “morbid and toxic”.
Meanwhile, Giovanni is due to make a brief return to Strictly in a one-off special celebrating the show’s 20 years on screen.
In December’s anniversary special, he will appear in footage from 2021 dancing with EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis, who was the first deaf winner of Strictly Come Dancing.
Giovanni starred on Strictly with Amanda in 2023[/caption]
Amanda quit the show in Week 6 and later accused Giovanni of ‘bullying’[/caption]
The BBC cleared Gio of 10 out of 16 allegations made against him[/caption]
