Giovanni Pernice could show his true colours in the Jungle after his Strictly exit, an expert has predicted.
The 33-year-old dancer left the BBC One show earlier this year in the wake of allegations about his behaviour towards his celebrity dance partners. Sherlock star Amanda Abbington has claimed Gio was “bullying and aggressive” towards her in rehearsals when they were paired together on the last series.
Pernice has strongly denied claims of “threatening and abusive behaviour” and has vowed to clear his name. An internal investigation into the complaints is underway and he’s said to be “fully confident” that he’ll be vindicated.
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But Gio has now been tipped for an appearance on ITV’s hit show I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!. Ladbrokes have given the Italian hunk 4/5 odds of becoming a campmate on the show.
(Image: PA)
And PR expert Robyn Munro reckons a stint Down Under would be a chance for Gio to show his “real self” and “tell his side of the story” following the Strictly saga. She told Daily Star: “The Jungle would be good for Giovanni because it gives the viewers an opportunity to see him as his real self and they can make their mind up on him.
“You can’t hide when the cameras are on 24/7 – he can be authentic and tell his side of the story. Going off past I’m a Celeb line ups, ITV bosses will most likely include a journalist in the mix which is a great way for Giovanni to explain his side of the story, as they’ll undoubtedly ask.
(Image: James Gourley/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
“Campmates usually have a moment when they explain previous situations so Giovanni will know it’s coming. It gives ITV the exclusive which is what they most likely want.”
She explained how the show would be beneficial in rebuilding his image in the public eye following the complaints saga. “The ITV show seems to have become the standard ‘repair my celeb client’s image’ move now,” Munro said, “with previous contestants such as Matt Hancock, Nigel Farage, and Boy George.
(Image: PA)
“The public put both MPs through their paces, and the former MPs finished third, and Boy George finished eighth. In an ideal world, any PR team would advise Giovanni to lay low and keep his head down, but he has been very vocal about wanting to clear his name amid the complaints from Amanda.
Robyn also believes Gio could be a big draw for the show and that there’s “huge appetite” for him on other shows. She continued: “I think it could be a good opportunity for him to go to the Jungle; if he lay low, that could possibly make him look guilty. I don’t necessarily think anyone is really cancelled anymore, and in this instance, it’s all speculation and nothing concrete.
(Image: PA)
“As long as the big bosses at the top are satisfied that he isn’t a bully and didn’t behave inappropriately during Strictly, ITV bosses will be determined to snatch him from their rivals. Giovanni is really popular, so the ITV bosses will be thinking he could draw in big audiences for them and win over the public.”
Asked whether she thinks BBC bosses will mind if Gio goes to ITV, she said: “I don’t think Strictly bosses will necessarily be bothered if Giovanni takes part in I’m a Celebrity. The relationship between the BBC and the former Strictly dancer is done; it’s time for both parties to move on—whether that’s the Jungle or something else for Giovanni, it’s up to him.
“Former celebrities who have been sacked by the BBC have rebuilt their character on other platforms/TV channels; take Jeremy Clarkson as a prime example. I’m sure Giovanni will be absolutely fine in the Jungle.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
