Strictly's James Jordan takes brutal five-word swipe at Giovanni Pernice 'bullying' claims

James Jordan has dished his brutal verdict on Giovanni Pernice's bombshell exit from Strictly Come Dancing.

The outspoken former Strictly star was a guest on Tuesday's This Morning alongside his wife Ola Jordan as he spoke to Cat Deeley and Ben Shepherd on the latest developments in Giovanni's shock exit from the hit BBC competition show.

Host Ben kicked off the conversation by pointing out how, "Everybody is absolutely devastated by this news that Giovanni is stepping back from the next year's Strictly," as he asked James' thoughts on it.

The 46-year-old ballroom dancer began: "It's very sad that it's come to this," before unleashing into a heated rant, adding: "The only thing I will say is there's no smoke without fire," referencing the allegations made against Giovanni, something which he has firmly denied.

In a statement, Giovanni wrote on Instagram: "Of course, I reject any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour, and I look forward to clearing my name."

James continued: "And I've always protected the professional dancers. And we don't know the ins and outs of it. And as Kristina said, unless we see the footage - but I'm sure there's legal reasons and the BBC - I feel we've dealt with it very well."

James continued to seemingly throw shade at the now former pro-dancer, noting: "Now, whether or not Giovanni has decided not to come back or the BBC have asked him not to come back. I'd be curious to see what the answer to that is. But I feel the BBC has dealt with it pretty well.

"I'd be devastated if one of my previous celebrity partners came forward saying that I was abusive or not treated them in training, but he's had four. so if it was just one you'd say 'Okay, maybe a massive clash of characters'," he continued before Ola interrupted.

"You're not gonna get on with every one of personalities, and you have to change your teaching methods to every person that you dance with. So I guess you know, things happen," she chimed.

James went on to clarify his point by referencing times in his Strictly career when he had to "brutally push" his former celebrity contestants, noting that while, "I'm known to be very outspoken and very bullish and everything but when it came to my teaching, I wanted my celebrity partner to have the best Strictly experience ever."

"I wanted each of my celebrity partners to have the best Strictly experience they could. And I honestly believe if you went and asked all of them, they would say that they had a great time. So for him to have four people coming forward. There's clearly something there," the choreographer added.

Before James could continue, Ben jumped in to point out: "We need to be clear, there are allegations that he's vehemently denied," as he read out Giovanni's comment on the situation.

James clapped back explaining: "I can only go on what's been reported. So all like like I said, I'm not bad-mouthing Giovanni and none of us clearly know enough about it. So we've been asked to come on here and discuss it. I can only discuss obviously what I've read in the papers the same as you, which is that four people have come forward with these allegations.

"And if that is the case, then you have to sit up and look at it. And is it the proof in the pudding? a little bit? He's not back on the show. So clearly, whether or not he's decided not to come back or BBC have not asked him back.

"There's something going on, which we don't know about, and we haven't seen the footage. Like I said, for legal reasons, I'm sure. So it's very difficult to comment on something you can only go on what you've read in the papers," James went on to fume.

Ben then asked how Giovanni's exit would impact the show, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, to which James brutally responded: "I don't think it has any impact."

James went on: "This isn't the first time this happened. Apparently, people don't get on with their partners. This isn't the first time I'm sure in your office. There's people that don't get on with each other, but don't have to work with each other."

The interview concluded as Ben thanked the couple for speaking on the topic as Cat quipped: "Do you want an arm wrestle?" to Ben as he playfully assured viewers: "There's no issues in our offices."

This Morning airs weekdays on ITV and is available to stream on ITVX.