Giovanni Pernice was seen being batted off by his dance partner, Francesca Fialdini, during a performance on the Italian version of Strictly Come Dancing, Ballando con le Stelle. The professional dancer, 35, and television presenter, 46, shared a strained exchange captured on camera.
Pernice, who left Strictly Come Dancing after bullying allegations from Amanda Abbington, was seen squeezing Fialdini's waist following their performance to Queen's 'The Show Must Go On'. Fialdini quickly moved his hand away, prompting him to place it on her shoulder and ask, 'Oh, you're hurting there too?' in reference to her injured foot.
The awkward moment was shared in a video on Pernice's Instagram earlier this week. It echoes a similar incident from last year's Strictly, where Katya Jones moved Wynne Evans' hand away from her waist and ignored his high-five attempt. The pair insisted they were 'just messing around' and that it was a 'silly joke'.
Pernice joined Ballando con le Stelle last year and won with singer Bianca Guaccero, whom he began dating during the show. His TV comeback followed his departure from Strictly after Abbington's claims of 'unnecessary, cruel and mean behaviour'. Pernice vehemently denied the allegations.
A BBC investigation last September upheld claims of verbal bullying and harassment but not physical aggression, prompting an apology to Abbington. Since then, Strictly has introduced chaperones and revised duty of care procedures.
