Strictly Come Dancing champion Ellie Leach has broken her silence about the growing controversy surrounding her former professional partner Giovanni Pernice, offering a revealing insight into their working relationship during last year's competition.
The Protection I Felt
In her first extensive comments since the scandal erupted, the 23-year-old actress confessed she felt completely secure while training with the Italian dancer. "I was always protected," Leach revealed, though she carefully avoided commenting directly on the specific allegations that have prompted a BBC investigation.
The former Coronation Street star, who lifted the Glitterball Trophy with Pernice in December, described their partnership as focused and driven. "We were both there to do a job," she explained, "and we both wanted to do it as well as we possibly could."
Mounting Pressure on Strictly Professional
Pernice finds himself at the centre of a storm after three of his former celebrity partners, including Amanda Abbington, raised serious concerns about his teaching methods. The BBC has taken the unusual step of launching a formal investigation into the professional dancer's conduct.
Leach's comments come at a crucial time for the popular Saturday night show, which has built its reputation on creating magical partnerships and unforgettable moments. The investigation has sent shockwaves through the Strictly community and raised questions about the intense pressure of the competition.
A Winning Partnership Under Scrutiny
Despite the ongoing controversy, Leach reflected positively on their time together, acknowledging the demanding nature of their training schedule. "We trained for hours and hours and hours," she recalled, describing the process as "full on" but ultimately rewarding.
The actress's measured comments will be closely analysed by Strictly fans and critics alike, as they represent the first substantial response from any of Pernice's partners since the investigation began. While she stopped short of defending her former dance partner directly, her emphasis on feeling protected suggests a different experience from that described by other celebrities.
As the BBC continues its investigation, the future of one of Strictly's most prominent professional dancers hangs in the balance, leaving fans wondering whether they've seen the last of Pernice's dramatic choreography on the famous dance floor.
