Strictly Come Dancing bosses have reportedly ruled that former professional dancer Giovanni Pernice will not be allowed to return.
An investigation was launched into the 34-year-old dancer by the BBC after Amanda Abbington complained about her treatment on the show.
The Sherlock actress, 50, quit the dancing competition last year before making claims Pernice had bullied her during rehearsals, which he denied.
After months of investigating, the BBC upheld two moments of ‘inappropriate behaviour of sexual banter in the workplace’.
They also found that Pernice had used ‘swear words’ and ‘belittling’ language while the duo were paired together.
Now, a source has claimed there is ‘a robust acceptance’ that the dancer won’t be allowed to return ‘ever’.
‘While it’s recognised Giovanni remains popular with a lot of Strictly viewers, there is a robust acceptance that he can’t return to the show, ever.’ they told The Sun.
The source continued: ‘His time on Strictly is over. There’s no way back for him.
‘That’s not a formal punishment, that’s a decision taken at a corporate level, concerned with protecting the reputation of what is a huge Saturday night family show.’
The BBC declined to comment.
This comes as Abbington is reportedly preparing to speak to the BBC about ‘unanswered questions’ regarding the investigation.
Bosses did offer an apology to the Mr Selfridge actress but she is said to be planning to sue.
A source told The Sun that she is ‘delighted and relieved’ that some of her accusations were upheld, but feels as though she’s been ‘through hell and back and lost work’ as a result of her going public.
The BBC’s investigation uncovered no findings relating to physical aggression, but complaints of verbal bullying and harassment were upheld, according to the PA news agency.
Meanwhile, in his first TV interview since the verdict, Pernice told Christine Lampard on Lorraine how he felt ‘relieved’ and wanted to ‘have his side of the story heard now.’
He added: ‘I think we would have a nice cup of tea, we’ll have a chat and talk about what happened in that room. It’s very difficult, because at that time everything was perfect.’
Pernice claimed there were ‘no arguments’ during training, acknowledging she ‘does obviously say that she was deeply uncomfortable’.
Metro has reached out to Pernice’s reps for comment.
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