Giovanni Pernice has broken his silence amid rumours and allegations about his training methods on the hit BBC show.
The Italian dancer, who’s reportedly set to be waltzing away from Strictly Come Dancing, has slammed the claims made against him, saying: “I reject any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour, and I look forward to clearing my name.”
In a social media statement shared on his Instagram account on Saturday (May 19) Giovanni told his fans: “To my dear fans, You will be as surprised as I am that allegations have been made about my dance teaching methods in the media this week.”
READ MORE: Click for more brilliant Daily Star showbiz stories
READ MORE: ‘I would have bonked more women than Giovanni if I was single’, says Strictly legend
“Of course, I reject any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour, and I look forward to clearing my name.” Giovanni, known for his fiery passion and competitive streak, added: “Those who have followed my journey on Strictly Come Dancing over the last decade will know that I am passionate and competitive. No-one is more ambitious for my dance partners than me..”
(Image: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
“I have always striven to help them be the very best dancers they can be. This has always come from a place of love and wanting to win – for me and my dance partners.” Wrapping up his message with a thank you to his supporters, he signed off: “Thank you all once again for your continued love and support! ” And with a flourish, he ended: “Giovanni.”
(Image: PA)
Giovanni previously broke his silence against the allegations on The One Show, defending his training methods amidst the recent buzz. He admitted: “I’m definitely a perfectionist. Like everybody else, I like to win.” However, he clarified his stance, saying: “For me it’s more about bringing the best out of partners, especially if I see that there is talent there. I want to do my job properly.”
(Image: Ray Burniston)
Amanda Abbington, who was partnered with Giovanni in 2023, has reportedly told her friends that she felt Giovanni was “abrasive” during rehearsals. A source told The Sun: ““Giovanni had a tough training method. Amanda would be bruised. She felt his behaviour was bullying and abrasive. She would be in tears as communication between them broke down. She tried every avenue to try and make it work.
“There would be crisis talks every Friday after producers watched back the video footage of their rehearsals but it would always end up toxic again by the end of the following week. Runners would check in on the training weekly and she would regularly be seen crying and feeling very sad and despondent. She desperately wanted it to work but invariably it would break down. An urgent medical condition eventually allowed her to quit.”
Want all the biggest Showbiz and TV news straight to your inbox? Sign up for our free Daily Star Showbiz newsletter
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
