Strictly star Shirley Ballas's stern five-word response to Giovanni Pernice investigation

Strictly Come Dancing's Shirley Ballas has thrown her support behind the embattled Giovanni Pernice, insisting: "The truth will come out."

The esteemed judge defended the professional dancer, affirming she had never seen any inappropriate behaviour from him and expressed that his absence would be felt in the upcoming series of the hit BBC programme. She also disclosed that both she and fellow judge Anton Du Beke would be attending a party with Pernice this weekend.

While at Chorleywood Memorial Hall, Hertfordshire, promoting her latest book 'Murder on the Dancefloor', Ballas commented last night: "I know he is a hard worker. He wants the people to do the very best that they can do. Obviously, in my life, I was bullied a lot. I don't condone bullying on any path but also I don't believe gossip and what you read in the newspapers because things get escalated and they are blown way out of all proportion and it can turn into a great big snowball."

She continued, advocating for patience until the investigation concludes: "So my feeling for Giovanni is, let them do this investigation or whatever it is they are doing and the truth will come out. So we don't judge anybody until I know absolutely 100 per cent. I won't pass on the gossip unless I know 100 per cent it is true. I have never ever, ever experienced any ill will or bad feeling or bad sportsmanship or rudeness from him. He will be missed."

Ballas also shared that she had been in touch with Pernice earlier that day and commended his kindness towards her mother during her cancer diagnosis, adding: "I just spoke to Giovanni 30 minutes before coming here and I am going to one of his Ballando classes to teach the jive (with Anton)", reports the Mirror.

"He is coming to my party with Anton on Sunday. You know, I can only talk from my own perspective. I have known Giovanni for 10 years. My mother loves him.

"It does not matter when he is on tour, or where he is or what he is doing, he will make his way across and he will say 'Lovely to see you, Shirley. Lovely to see your mum.'"

"I have got so many beautiful pictures, of the times that he spent, particularly when my mum was poorly, and he reached out. So he has always been to me, and I will make that clear, to me... a perfect gentleman."

These were her views before Giovanni refuted the allegations about his behaviour while working on Strictly by stating they were "simply false".

The Italian charmer, aged 33, affirmed that he's "cooperating fully" with the ongoing BBC investigation and eagerly anticipates "clearing my name".

The broadcasting corporation confirmed just last week that he won't be partaking in the new series, despite performing there for nine long years.

Pernice has earlier denied any accusations of portrayal of "abusive or threatening" behaviour, following grievances regarding his conduct.

He responded: "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."

"I am so happy to be back on tour. Thank you all for your continued support - your 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."