Strictly Come Dancing star Giovanni Pernice (R) has reportedly quit (Picture: David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
Strictly Come Dancing star Giovanni Pernice has reportedly quit the programme.
It’s been claimed after reports of clashes with celebrity dance partners, the 33-year-old Italian dancer will not be returning to the show and is said to be ‘starting negotiations’ for another series.
According to The Sun, an internal memo of the this year’s professional dancers line-up has been circulated without his name.
The publication also claims Giovanni has told friends he is ‘seeking a fresh start’.
A source said: ‘Gio feels the scrutiny on him has become too much, and now is the time to make a fresh start.
‘He wants to focus on other TV projects, and feels he’s achieved all he can on Strictly, having won the trophy back in 2021 and reaching the final an unprecedented four times.
Giovanni joined Strictly in 2015 (Picture: BBC/Guy Levy)
‘He remains adamant he’s done nothing wrong other than being a hard taskmaster, but knows his style of training isn’t to everyone’s liking — especially in this day and age.’
The insider added: ‘He has a lot of other exciting projects in the pipeline right now, and he’s just super-excited to get cracking on them. This, now, is his priority.’
The publication notes that Giovanni, who joined the show in 2015 and lifted the glitterball trophy with Rose Ayling-Ellis in 2021, told BBC bosses he is taking a break to mull over his decision, but it is claimed that he is unlikely to change his mind.
The report comes after months of speculations, with Giovanni have faced allegations against his teaching style, after reports of a feud emerged with former partner Amanda Abbington.
There were reports of a feud between Amanda Abbington and Giovanni (Picture: BBC/Ray Burmiston)
It had previously been claimed that BBC bosses were welcoming Giovanni back with open arms after a ‘really difficult few months for him’.
Claims of a feud emerged after Amanda, 52, quit Strictly after five weeks, and was later said to be seeking legal advice, while plenty of Strictly stars jumped in to defend Giovanni, including his former dance partners.
While she has not said much over her exit, citing ‘personal reasons’ at the time, it’s since emerged that she’d requested video footage of her rehearsals and was diagnosed with mild PTSD after Strictly.
Following her exit, Amanda ‘snubbed’ Giovanni and it was later said she spoke to Laura Whitmore, who partnered with Giovanni in 2016, and Ranvir Singh, who partnered with him in 2020.
Following an alleged discussion between the trio, reports claimed they considered lodging a ‘formal’ complaint against him.
Metro.co.uk has approached the BBC and Giovanni’s reps for comment.
More to come…
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