BBC Strictly Come Dancing star 'gutted' as she shares support for Giovanni Pernice after axe
11.06.2024 - 12:39
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
One of Giovanni Pernice's former dance partners has spoken out in support after it was revealed he wouldn't be returning to Strictly Come Dancing. The dancer wasn't included in the line-up of professional dancers from the BBC who will return to the ballroom later this year.
In its first big announcement of the year on Monday (June 10), it was confirmed that Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will return as hosts and the judges' desks will see the return of Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel-Horwood and Anton Du Beke.
Meanwhile, the dancers who will return to the BBC One dance contest as it celebrates its 20th birthday include Amy Dowden, who had missed competing on Strictly last year after she was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer, and 2023 winner Vito Coppola.
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And while the BBC hasn't explicitly confirmed Giovanni's axe, that did not announce him as part of its line-up of professional dancers for 2024 following reports that he would not compete.
Giovanni, 33, had been a part of the dancing show since 2015 when he reached the grand final with Coronation Street star Georgia May Foote. Later, in 2021, he lifted the Strictly glitterball trophy alongside EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis, who was the first deaf contestant to win.
He was last paired with Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington, who withdrew from the competition in 2023 citing “personal reasons” but Giovanni has since been subject to a number of allegations regarding his conduct in the training room.
He previously rejected allegations of “abusive or threatening behaviour” and said he looks