The BBC has confirmed that Giovanni Pernice will not return as a professional dancer on the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing, following allegations of 'threatening and abusive behaviour' from multiple former partners. The decision ends months of speculation and internal crisis management for the broadcaster, which faced mounting pressure to act after complaints from actor Amanda Abbington and others.
Pernice, 33, has strenuously denied all accusations, but the BBC's hand was forced after Abbington withdrew from the 2023 series citing medical reasons, later requesting footage of training sessions and instructing lawyers. Law firm Carter-Ruck stated there were 'numerous serious complaints' about his conduct. Other former partners, including Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh, also came forward with criticisms, describing him as 'fiery' and 'super-strict'.
The scandal has been described as the biggest in the show's 20-year history, with reports that producers struggled to sign female celebrities for the forthcoming series due to concerns about being paired with Pernice. A leaked internal memo last month omitted his name, prompting rumours he had quit, but the BBC urged against speculation while an internal inquiry was ongoing.
Pernice, who joined Strictly in 2015, was a fan favourite and reached four finals, winning the glitterball trophy in 2021 with deaf actor Rose Ayling-Ellis. Their Couple's Choice routine won a Bafta for Must-See TV Moment. However, his perfectionist approach led to tensions, with Abbington describing him as 'nasty' and 'awful'. The BBC has faced criticism for its slow response, as training sessions are filmed and concerns had been raised for years.
