Giovanni Pernice set to ‘return to Strictly Come Dancing for 20th anniversary special’ after being cleared of most bullying allegations in BBC investigation

Giovanni Pernice is reportedly set to return to Strictly Come Dancing after being cleared of most bullying allegations against him in a recent BBC investigation.

The 34-year-old Italian dancer will reportedly take part in a special episode celebrating the show’s 20th anniversary, which will look back at “iconic performances and familiar faces from past and present.”

Giovanni is likely to be seen in the episode, which airs in December, alongside his former dance partner Rose Ayling-Ellis, 29, who made history as the first deaf contestant to win the coveted glitterball trophy.

A source told The Sun: ‘Giovanni made history when he won with Rose, so footage of his quiet, emotional performance will be shown.’

There is also speculation that Giovanni could appear on the show in person, although the BBC has not yet confirmed this.

Giovanni Pernice is reportedly set to return to Strictly Come Dancing after being cleared of most bullying allegations against him in a recent BBC investigation.

Professional dancer Giovanni left BBC’s Strictly in May after his former celebrity partner Amanda Abbington complained about his behavior (pictured together last year)

Apparently Graziano Di Prima will not appear after being fired from the show for kicking celebrity partner Zara McDermott last year.

MailOnline contacted Strictly representatives for comment, who stated: ‘Editorial decisions on what the final show will include have not yet been finalised.’

Professional dancer Giovanni left BBC’s Strictly in May after his former celebrity partner Amanda Abbington complained about his behavior.

The BBC cleared the Sicilian of ten of 16 charges when its investigation concluded in September.

Six of the claims were upheld, some including bullying and harassment, prompting an apology from BBC bosses.

The BBC also agreed with Ms Abbington that at times he appeared to be giving her excessively negative feedback.

Amanda left the show abruptly in the fifth week of last year’s series, citing personal reasons, before accusing the dancer of ‘mean’ and ‘cruel’ behavior.

The news comes days after Giovanni confirmed he will return to UK television.

The 34-year-old Italian dancer will reportedly take part in a special episode celebrating the show’s 20th anniversary, which will look back at ‘iconic performances and familiar faces from the past and present’

Giovanni is likely to be seen in the episode, which airs in December, alongside his former dance partner Rose Ayling-Ellis, 29, who made history as the first deaf contestant to win the coveted glitterball trophy (pictured together )

Graziano Di Prima (pictured) will apparently not appear after being fired from the show for kicking celebrity partner Zara McDermott last year

Amanda left the show abruptly in the fifth week of last year’s series, citing personal reasons, before accusing the dancer of ‘evil’ and ‘cruel’ behavior

The choreographer has teamed up with BBC rival Channel Four for its new series Celebrity Hunted, according to The Sun.

The show was filmed in 2022, but bosses shelved it after Sherlock star Amanda accused him of bullying.

At first, the show’s executives considered just cutting her scenes from the series, but decided to reschedule the show for January 2025.

A TV source told The Sun: “It was absolutely right to shelve Hunted while the BBC went to the trouble of unraveling the allegations against Giovanni.

The news comes days after Giovanni confirmed he is returning to UK television

The choreographer has teamed up with BBC rival Channel Four for its new series Celebrity Hunted, according to The Sun

“It was filmed in 2022 and was supposed to air last year, but will now air in early 2025.”

Giovanni will be seen on Celebrity Hunted alongside his 2022 dance partner, Radio 2’s Richie Anderson.

Richie chose to remain silent during the investigation and unfollowed him online.

Celebrities taking part in the upcoming series, as reported by The Sun newspaper, are: Strictly Come Dancing pros Giovanni and Kai Widdrington, Loose Women’s Denise Welch and her husband Lincoln, EastEnders Danielle Harold and Coronation Street’s Kimberley Hart-Simpson more Christine McGuiness and Duncan James.