Strictly’s Giovanni Pernice breaks silence amid latest accusations

Giovanni Pernice has branded allegations about his teaching methods ‘simply false’ after it emerged he will not take part in Strictly Come Dancing 2024. The Italian dancer is part of the BBC One celebrity dancing show since 2015, when he reached the grand final with Coronation Street actress Georgia May Foote.

But the BBC has not announced the 33-year-old as one of its professional dancers for the upcoming series, following reports he would not take part. Taking to Instagram early on Sunday morning, the dancer said he was “co-operating fully” with an ongoing BBC investigation and looked forward to “clearing my name and establishing the truth”.

The star wrote: “To my fans and followers. Every week the media tells completely false stories about me.

“As you know, I have always rejected any suggestion of abusive or threatening behavior. The latest accusations are simply false. I am fully cooperating with the BBC’s ongoing investigation, which will determine the truth.

“As requested, I have remained silent, but I look forward to the conclusion of the investigation and finally clearing my name and establishing the truth. I’m so happy to be back on tour. Thank you all for your continued support – your messages and love mean a lot to me. I hope to see many of you very soon and I look forward to clearing my name. With love, Giovanni.

Pernice is currently touring with fellow professional dancer Anton Du Beke, with whom he also hosted a travel show. In 2021, Pernice won the Strictly Glitterball trophy alongside EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis, who was the first deaf contestant.

The Sun, which was first to report suggestions an investigation was underway, had claimed Pernice had left the show. A law firm acting on behalf of the complainants said the channel was “gathering evidence”, but the BBC would not confirm whether an investigation had begun. Pernice previously denied the allegations in a statement in May.