BBC Strictly's Giovanni Pernice accused of 'making lewd gesture' to dance partners
Former Strictly Come Dancing star Giovanni Pernice has been accused of 'making a lewd gesture' to dance partners during rehearsals, BBC investigators have reportedly been told. Giovanni has denied all allegations.
After being cut from this year's Strictly Come Dancing line-up, it's now being alleged that pro-dancer Giovanni Pernice reportedly grabbed his crotch in front of dance partners during rehearsals, a BBC inquiry has reportedly been told.
A source told The Sun last night: "The BBC inquiry has been told Giovanni’s lewd behaviour wasn’t limited solely to Amanda (Abbington) - he did similar to other dance partners as well.
"It's alleged he would grab his crotch in front of them if they did something good in rehearsals."
Express.co.uk has contacted the BBC and Giovanni's representatives for comment on the allegations. Giovanni has denied all allegations made against him so far.
The claims come after the dancer has been the subject of damning allegations since his former partner, Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington, claimed the BBC show left her with post-traumatic stress disorder.
The 52-year-old went on to reportedly claim Giovanni "stamped on her foot" during his "militant" training sessions on the programme.
On Sunday, Giovanni, 33, shared another statement denying the accusations. He said in a defiant post to his 1.1 million Instagram followers: "To my fans and followers, every week, there are totally untrue stories about me in the media. As you know, I have always rejected any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour.
"The latest accusations are simply false. I am cooperating fully with the ongoing BBC investigation, which will determine the truth. As requested, I have stayed silent, but I am looking forward to the conclusion of the investigation and ultimately clearing my name and establishing the truth."
Giovanni said despite the accusations, he is "so happy to be back on tour". He concluded: "Thank you all for your continued support – you messages and love mean so very much to me. I will hopefully see many of you very soon and I look forward to clearing my name. With love, Giovanni."
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Giovanni's latest statement comes after he told fans that his teaching methods have always "come from a place of love".
He said last month: "Those who have followed my journey on Strictly Come Dancing over the last decade will know that I am passionate and competitive. No one is more ambitious for my dance partners than me.
"I have always striven to help them be the very best dancers they can be. This has always come from a place of love and wanting to win - for me and my dance partners."
Giovanni's response comes after the BBC launched an investigation into "serious workplace misconduct claims" by a number of his celebrity partners.
The line-up for the upcoming series, which will air later this year, was announced on Monday, with all of last year's professionals returning. However, Giovanni's name was noticeably absent from the list.
The BBC star was a part of the show for almost a decade after joining the series back in 2015.
He went on to win the competition in 2021 alongside celebrity partner Rose Ayling-Ellis who was the show's first-ever deaf contestant.
