Giovanni Pernice hails fans’ ‘endless support’ and says ‘better days to come’
It comes after an investigation was launched by the BBC following allegations made about the dancer by Amanda Abbington.
Former Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Giovanni Pernice has thanked fans for their “endless support” and said “better days are to come” as he celebrated his 34th birthday.
It comes after an investigation was launched by the BBC following allegations made about Pernice by former Strictly participant Amanda Abbington, with the results yet to be made public.
Abbington was the first to allege “inappropriate” behaviour on the show and claimed she was subject to a “toxic environment” while she danced alongside Pernice.
Pernice, who rejects the allegations, will not appear on the new series of the BBC dancing show.
In a post on Instagram celebrating his 34th birthday, Pernice said: “30+4 today. Thank you so much to all of you for the messages, I do appreciate your love and your endless support.
“Better days to come and exciting news to share with you very soon, love you all Gio.”
His fellow dancer Graziano Di Prima has also left the show following the furore.
Di Prima told the Daily Mail at the weekend that he “wasn’t meaning to kick” his 2023 dance partner Zara McDermott and did not know from where the Love Island star’s allegations had come from.
Ahead of the new series, the BBC said it would introduce new welfare measures including a chaperone who will be present “at all times” during rehearsals.
It comes after It Takes Two host Janette Manrara told Times Radio she felt it “would not be fair” on new contestants, who are “here to have a positive experience”, if presenters were to mention the abuse claims.
The launch trailer for the latest series of Strictly aired this week, giving a first glimpse into professional dancer Amy Dowden’s return to the show, after recovering from breast cancer.
