Former Strictly Come Dancing star Giovanni Pernice has shared exciting news with fans on social media, expressing his gratitude for their ongoing support.
The 34-year-old Italian dancer posted on his Instagram stories to thank his supporters for their overwhelming encouragement. He expressed his gratitude despite competing on Ballando con le Stelle, which he describes as the Italian version of Dancing with the Stars. Giovanni is currently partnered with Bianca Guaccero on the show.
He wrote: “Apparently…I was told that every week we have thousands and thousands of votes from the UK, Ireland, and Scotland… you are just a dream! Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Week 7 here we come. We need your support until the end.”
Giovanni has recently faced controversy over alleged abusive behaviour toward his former dance partners, including Amanda Abbington, though he has consistently denied these claims.
Following an investigation by the BBC, the dancer expressed his relief and gratitude, stating he was “happy” to be cleared of the allegations.
In a heartfelt post from September, he shared: “It’s over, it’s finished, six months, seven months of all of this. Seven months of reading things every day in the newspaper and not being able to respond because I wanted to keep the confidentiality and privacy of the review, (it) was a difficult time. It was difficult because, you know, reading stuff that (was) untrue, wasn’t the nicest time of my life, let’s be honest.”
He added: “But today I’m happy because, at the beginning, there were very, very serious allegations thrown out at me, but today, none of the serious allegations have been upheld.” Giovanni expressed his relief to finally “carry on doing what I was born to do.”
“All the threatening, abusive, harassment behaviour allegations have not been upheld. Today is a day when we can all reflect because, I appreciate that dancing is a very difficult thing to do,” he added.
“It’s a sport, it’s something that is difficult in every possible way and sometimes you get frustrated, as a teacher, as a dancer, as a performer. But the only reason why you get frustrated is because you care about what you do. You know as a professional, as a teacher, I want to get the best out of my partner, and sometimes I do get frustrated. I think everybody around the world does the same thing, it’s called being professional and I love doing that.
“You know even now with Bianca (Guaccero, his partner on the Italian equivalent of Strictly, Ballando con le Stelle), I get frustrated, I think it’s a normal thing, but then you get out the best and the results come forward.”
