Giovanni Pernice will not return to Strictly Come Dancing

Giovanni Pernice won’t return to Strictly Come Dancing for the following sequence.

The BBC didn’t announce the star as a part of its line-up {of professional} dancers for 2024, following experiences that he wouldn’t compete.

The Italian skilled dancer, 33, has been on the BBC One celeb dancing contest since 2015, successful it in 2021 with actress Rose Ayling-Ellis.

The information comes weeks after he denied experiences about his educating strategies on the present.

Pernice had mentioned he was shocked by allegations about his dance educating strategies, and rejected “any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour”.

Dancers who will return when the present begins in autumn embody Amy Dowden, who took day out from the present final season for most cancers therapy.

Authorized agency Carter Ruck mentioned final month it had contacted the BBC relating to “quite a few severe complaints” about Pernice’s alleged behaviour whereas filming Strictly.

The BBC issued a press release on the time addressing “media experiences a couple of excessive profile present”, believed to concern Strictly Come Dancing.

It promised to deal with any complaints with “care, equity and sensitivity” to all sides, following experiences about Pernice’s educating strategies.

It got here shortly after the Italian star put out a press release saying he seemed ahead to clearing his identify, and thanking followers for his or her help.

“Those that have adopted my journey on Strictly Come Dancing over the past decade will know that I’m passionate and aggressive,” he added.

“No-one is extra formidable for my dance companions than me.

“I’ve at all times striven to assist them be the easiest dancers they are often. This has at all times come from a spot of affection and eager to win – for me and my dance companions.”

The Italian star was paired with Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington final yr. She withdrew from the competitors citing “private causes”.

It was broadly reported that Abbington had skilled difficulties with Pernice, however she has not confirmed this to BBC Information.

Dowden mentioned on Monday she was “so joyful and grateful to be again”, in a publish on Instagram.

She was identified with stage 3 breast most cancers after she found a lump in April 2023.

After present process a mastectomy, she was instructed the tumours had unfold and one other sort of most cancers was found in July final yr.

Though she was unable to take up her traditional function as one of many present’s execs final autumn, Dowden made a shock look again on the present when she learn the present’s phrases and situations for voting in October.

The 33-year-old, from Caerphilly, then took half within the present’s grand closing.

Dowden had mentioned earlier this yr that she hoped to get again to the Strictly dancefloor as quickly as attainable, after a well being examine confirmed “no proof of illness”.

The opposite skilled dancers confirmed to be participating within the subsequent sequence of Strictly are: Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Graziano Di Prima, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas and Vito Coppola, who received final yr’s competitors.

The present marks its twentieth anniversary this yr, with the BBC promising “a spectacular sequence of glitz, glamour and unforgettable performances”.

There may even be a one-off programme detailing 20 years of the present that includes well-known performances and interviews with previous celeb stars, skilled dancers and judges.

Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel-Horwood and Anton Du Beke will all return as judges.

Pernice is at the moment on tour with Du Beke.

The pair, who’ve hosted a journey present collectively, will subsequent seem on stage on the Beck Theatre in Hayes later this week.