Former Strictly Come Dancing star Debbie McGee has shared her true feelings about Giovanni Pernice in the wake of his departure from the BBC programme.
The Italian professional dancer departed Strictly following a BBC inquiry into complaints lodged by his 2023 dance partner Amanda Abbington. The Sherlock star withdrew from Strictly midway through the series citing "medical reasons".
She subsequently alleged she had been subjected to a "toxic environment" while competing on the BBC One programme, accusing her professional partner of misconduct during rehearsals - allegations which Giovanni strenuously denies. The corporation examined 17 complaints altogether, upholding six while clearing Giovanni of the 11 most severe allegations.
BBC apology and Giovanni's response
In a statement at the time, the BBC said: "We want to apologise to Amanda Abbington and to thank her for coming forward and taking part. We know this would not have been an easy thing to do."
Posting his response to the findings on Instagram, Giovanni said: "I'm happy because, you know, at the beginning there were very, very serious allegations thrown out at me, but as [of] today, none of the serious allegations have been upheld. All the threatening, abusive, harassment behaviour allegations have not been upheld."
Debbie McGee's support for Giovanni
Now, another of Giovanni's previous Strictly partners has revealed her true feelings about the dancer. Debbie McGee was paired with Giovanni in 2017. The duo made it to the final of series 15, securing second place. Debbie was 58 years old when she competed, making her the oldest celebrity finalist at that stage.
Debbie appeared on ITV's Lorraine on Thursday (October 8) to discuss her first memoir, A Magical Life. During the conversation, Debbie also looked back on her Strictly experience and her partnership with Giovanni.
"Honestly, you were incredible on Strictly. You set the bar very, very high," presenter Lorraine Kelly remarked, moments before a photograph of Debbie and Giovanni was displayed on screen. Debbie was swift to express her support for Giovanni.
Five-word response on Lorraine
Viewing the archive image, Debbie remarked: "There I was with Giovanni!" She then issued a five-word response, saying: "He was a great teacher."
Debbie went on: "I had a wonderful time... We both had the same sense of humour and work ethic, that's why, I think, we got on so well."
This comes just weeks after Giovanni's appearance on ITV's This Morning. During the discussion with presenters Craig Doyle and Christine Lampard, the dancer spoke about his own mental health challenges.
Craig then stated: "I appreciate it was a difficult time for you personally. It was also a difficult time for Amanda," with Giovanni agreeing: "Absolutely." Craig continued: "She wouldn't have gone through the whole process had she not felt there was something in it."
Giovanni swiftly responded: "Everybody sees it differently, isn't it? I'm just talking factual. The investigation - this is what was upheld, this was what was not upheld. We both know what is the truth."
Strictly Come Dancing is available to stream on BBC iPlayer, while Lorraine airs weekdays on ITV1 at 9.30am.
