Strictly's Giovanni Pernice says 'it's very concerning' as he breaks silence on scandal

Giovanni Pernice stepped into the limelight on Tuesday's episode of Lorraine, following the swirl of controversy that has rocked Strictly Come Dancing.

The dance floor drama sparked an investigation by the BBC after Sherlock star Amanda Abbington raised concerns about her 2023 professional partner Giovanni, aged 34.

An apology was extended to Amanda, 50, by the BBC who remarked: "We have assessed the complaints and we have upheld some, but not all, of the complaints made."

Throughout the inquiry, Giovanni consistently refuted any wrongdoing, recently expressing his relief at being exonerated from the abuse claims.

While discussing the scandal on Lorraine's show this Tuesday, Giovanni promised to clarify the situation, sharing that he found the allegations deeply troubling. He firmly debunked rumours of any disputes with Amanda during rehearsals, and forcefully condemned online abuse targeted at her, reports the Mirror.

He explained his decision to voice his perspective on the show, saying: "It's the right time to do so", further noting that throughout the examination process, both he and Amanda were instructed to keep a lid on details for the sake of confidentiality and professionalism.

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Giovanni revealed: "Finally the results are out, I'm able to talk about what happened and put the record straight from my side of the story."

Stepping in as guest host, Christine Lampard referred back to Amanda's own Lorraine interview, where she described feelings of "bullying" and a "nasty mean place to be", pointing out her swift move to report the issue to the BBC just three days into their first week of rehearsals.

Giovanni expressed his concerns over the claims, remarking: "That's very concerning to me! Strictly is one of the shows where you put two people in the room, I personally didn't know Amanda and Amanda didn't know me so it's very concerning the fact that even things like that after three days you already complain, in that case I need to get to know you in three days."

He explained the necessity of building a rapport with his partner quickly, saying, "In three days, I need to know what you like, the way you work and what is good for you and what is not good for you. This is what Strictly is about, it's about building a relationship with your partner. In that case you come to me, as I'm your partner, you come to me and say: 'Listen, Giovanni, I don't really like this' or 'Giovanni I like that' but in three days, it's very early days especially when you don't know that person. I didn't even know all of this was happening!"

Christine questioned Giovanni on potentially changing his teaching methods and if they were perhaps 'too tough', and Giovanni pointed out that it all depends on what you seek from Strictly Come Dancing, asserting he will go to every length to secure a win should that be the desire.

Wrapping up the interview, Giovanni affirmed his relief stating: "I'm happy that the results were positive for me, the allegations thrown out at the beginning were very strong, I'm happy that I can relax. We should all accept what the results say and move on!"

Giovanni, when quizzed about a potential return to Strictly as a professional dancer, responded with an open-minded: "Who knows, never say never!"

Amanda, who withdrew from the BBC One dance competition last year for "personal reasons", had alleged she experienced a "toxic environment" and "inappropriate, mean, nasty bullying".

In her statement, Amanda disclosed that coming forward "was not an easy thing to do", revealing she has faced accusations of being "accused of being a liar, a troublemaker and of being 'mad and unstable'", in addition to threats directed at her and her children. Giovanni has consistently refuted these claims.

In a candid Instagram post in September after the investigation concluded, Giovanni wrote: "It's over, it's finished, six months, seven months of all of this. Seven months of reading things every day in the newspaper and not being able to respond because I wanted to keep the confidentiality and privacy of the review, (it) was a difficult time."

He continued, expressing his relief: "It was difficult because, you know, reading stuff that (was) un'true', wasn't the nicest time of my life lets be honest. But today I'm happy because, at the beginning there were very, very serious allegations thrown out at me but today, none of the serious allegations have been upheld."

Giovanni further stated: "All the threatening, abusive, harassment behaviour allegations have not been upheld. Today is a day when we can all reflect because, I appreciate that dancing is a very difficult thing to do."

"It's a sport, it's something that is difficult in every possible way and sometimes you get frustrated, as a teacher, as a dancer, as a performer. But the only reason why you get frustrated is because you care about what you do."

"You know as a professional, as a teacher, I want to get the best out of my partner, and sometimes I do get frustrated. I think everybody around the world does the same thing, it's called being professional and I love doing that."

"You know even now with Bianca [Guaccero, his partner on the Italian equivalent of Strictly, Ballando con le Stelle], I get frustrated, I think it's a normal thing, but then you get out the best and the results come forward."

This comes after chaperones were introduced on Strictly during this year's rehearsals following a review initiated by the BBC.