Giovanni Pernice is not going to be becoming a member of the forged of Strictly Come Dancing 2024, it has been introduced.
The BBC has revealed the skilled forged for its forthcoming season of the dancing competitors, however Pernice’s identify doesn’t seem alongside these of his colleagues on the present.
The Italian skilled dancer, 33, has been on the present since 2015 when he reached the grand last with Coronation Avenue star Georgia Could Foote.
Because the present prepares to rejoice its twentieth anniversary, it’s being overshadowed by scandal after a number of former superstar contestants made complaints about Pernice’s behaviour and educating strategies. His 2023 companion, Sherlock actor Amanda Abbington, withdrew from the competitors citing “private causes”.
Shortly after, she requested what was described by a supply as “tense” footage of her rehearsals with Pernice for a supposed investigation. In a latest interview with the Each day Mail, Abbington launched a contemporary assault on Pernice, claiming he was “terrible” in the direction of a bunch of former contestants.
Among the many skilled names introduced for the forthcoming season of the present have been Strictly favourites Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Graziano Di Prima, Amy Dowden, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin and Gorka Marquez.
Becoming a member of them are Luba Mushtuk, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas and Vito Coppola – however no Pernice.
Abbington will not be the one superstar who claims to have struggled whereas being partnered with Pernice.
It was alleged in March that Good Morning Britain host Ranvir Singh and former Love Island presenter Laura Whitmore, who beforehand mentioned she was “uncomfortable” with Pernice, had a “tearful summit” with Abbington about their respective “tough experiences” working with the dancer, “who’s well-known to be intense throughout coaching”.
The Italian dancer has beforehand rejected allegations of “abusive or threatening behaviour” and beforehand mentioned he appears “ahead to clearing my identify”.
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In Could, he wrote: “You may be as shocked as I’m that allegations have been made about my dance educating strategies within the media this week.” He went on to explain himself as “passionate and “bold” whereas competing on the present.
“I’ve at all times striven to assist them be the perfect dancers they are often,” he mentioned. “This has at all times come from a spot of affection and eager to win – for me and my dance companions.”
An announcement from legislation agency Carter-Ruck mentioned: “There have been quite a few severe complaints made to the BBC who are actually within the strategy of proof gathering.
“As it’s nonetheless an ongoing matter, no additional remark might be made at this stage.”
All through the continuing controversy, Pernice has been supported by followers and by one in all his former superstar Strictly companions, Debbie McGee, whom he competed with on the present in 2017. She mentioned in January that she had the “better of instances” working with Pernice throughout her stint on the competitors.
Pernice lifted the glitterball trophy in 2021 alongside Rose Ayling-Ellis. In addition to going shut with Foote, he reached the ultimate in 2017 with McGee, and with Faye Tozer in 2018.
The Unbiased has contacted Pernice and the BBC for remark.
Strictly Come Dancing will return within the autumn, with Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke again within the judges’ chairs.