Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni Pernice is set to make his long-awaited return to UK television after being at the centre of a BBC probe last year.
Express.co.uk can exclusively reveal that the 34-year-old Sicilian dancer will appear in the upcoming season of Channel 4’s Celebrity Hunted on Sunday, January 5.
The show, filmed back in 2022, had been shelved following explosive allegations of bullying made by his Strictly dance partner Amanda Abbington. But two years on, TV bosses have had a change of heart and have reportedly decided to air the reality show in the new year.
Confirming the exciting news on Instagram earlier this year, Giovanni declared: “I’m back baby!” A source told us: “A reelase date has finally been chosen for the show after a lot fo chaos behind-the-scenes. The contestants are are thrilled too because they’ve been waiting for news for almost two years.”
Executives had reportedly considered cutting Giovanni’s scenes entirely, but the decision was made to keep him in the programme following the results of the BBC investigation.
A TV source previously stated: “It was absolutely right to shelve Hunted while the BBC took the time to unravel the claims against Giovanni. It was filmed in 2022 and due to screen last year, but will now air in early 2025.”
The BBC concluded its investigation last month, clearing Giovanni of ten out of 16 allegations, including claims of violence, physical abuse, threats, and intimidation. However, six allegations were upheld.
The report found instances of “inappropriate behaviour of sexual banter in the workplace,” as well as “belittling, dismissive, and insulting language.”
Despite this, Giovanni’s focus remains on moving forward. A source close to him told The Sun: “Gio is pleased he was cleared of the serious allegations and is optimistic about the future.”
The allegations rocked his professional reputation, with Abbington reportedly receiving an apology from BBC bosses after their findings.
Meanwhile, Giovanni’s former Strictly co-star, Radio 2’s Richie Anderson, kept quiet during the investigation and even unfollowed him on social media amid rumours of a falling out.
In Celebrity Hunted, Giovanni and Anderson teamed up for the thrilling Channel 4 reality show after competing on the BBC dance competition in 2021.
They will joined the star-studded lineup featuring Loose Women star Denise Welch and her husband Lincoln Townley, EastEnders icon Danielle Harold, and Coronation Street actress Kimberley Hart-Simpson.
While Celebrity Hunted will finally air, the show’s civilian edition has been left in limbo, with no new series expected in the near future.
According to Broadcast: “The show has fallen out of the recommissioning cycle, which means it is impossible for the civilian edition to record another series this year.”
Outside of the controversy, Giovanni’s career is thriving. He recently announced a theatre tour with Strictly judge Anton Du Beke for next summer and is promoting his own headline tour, The Last Dance, running from January to May.
Additionally, he continues to shine on the Italian version of Strictly, recently making history with five perfect tens.
