Giovanni Pernice breaks silence on possible BBC Strictly comeback after feeling ‘relief’ over investigation saga

Giovanni Pernice made the decision to join the Italian version of Strictly Come Dancing, Ballando con le Stelle, following last year’s scandal which sparked a BBC investigation.

While some of the accusations against him, made by actress Amanda Abbington, were not upheld, Pernice appeared on screens on Tuesday, where he gave his first TV interview since the probe findings were released.

During the 2023 series, Sherlock star Abbington, 52, decided to pull out of the BBC competition early following rumours of a “feud” between herself and dance partner Pernice, 34.

After making complaints to the show about Pernice’s alleged “abusive” approach, an investigation was launched. The findings of which were only recently made public.

Six of Abbington’s 17 allegations were upheld against Pernice, a conclusion both seem to have welcomed, while the corporation also apologised to the actress.

Making clear he wants to put the allegations behind him after sharing his “relief” over the findings, Pernice was asked during the interview if he’d ever return to the original series.

Christine Lampard asked during the conversation, which aired on ITV’s Lorraine: “Do you have no regrets?”

“What happened did happen,” he replied, adding: “It’s an interesting situation because what happened in the room, Amanda wasn’t happy with.

“It happened. I can tell you what I feel – I’m happy that the result was positive for me – I think we all need to accept what the show found and move on”.

Lampard then touched on the idea of Pernice making a comeback, to which he admitted: “At the moment, I’m very focused on Dancing with the Stars in Italy.”

However, he reached a surprising conclusion as he continued: “I have a tour then, but who knows – never say never.”

However, he reached a surprising conclusion as he continued: “I have a tour then, but who knows – never say never.”

Pernice also applauded Abbington’s decision to complain in a shock admission as he remarked: “I agree with the BBC, it’s good that Amanda came forward. If you don’t feel right, it’s important you talk to somebody.

“I was actually pleased when the whole thing finished. It took longer than it should have, but I’m glad we have the report.

“I’m not against the investigation starting in the first place, everyone should go and talk if they have a problem so I think she did the right thing.”

Earlier in the chat, the dancer had expressed relief at the investigation’s outcome.

“I’m glad the review has finally come to an end. I’m relieved that the allegations that I was threatening and abusive were found not to be true,” he shared.

He also revealed his final message to the actress, claiming he had remained supportive of Abbington after she decided to pull out of the show.

“The last message was, ‘Please let me know how this can go, I want to help you, I’ll find you a doctor’.

“This was the last message I sent in the last conversation with Amanda,” Pernice claimed.

A spokeswoman for Abbington hit back at Pernice’s statements, commenting: “Mr Pernice’s claim that ‘everything in the rehearsal room worked perfectly’ is false and delusional, and underlines the toxic culture Ms Abbington endured on Strictly Come Dancing.

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“The BBC’s own investigation concluded that Mr Pernice was in breach of multiple BBC Policies, including repeated breaches of the Anti-Bullying and Harassment Policy.

“Mr Pernice was spoken to by the BBC on several occasions about his misconduct – but his behaviour only continued.

“At no time did Ms Abbington regard his verbal abuse or inappropriate sexual behaviour as banter.

“This is precisely the kind of gaslighting behaviour which victims of bullying and harassment often have to endure: it’s these people Ms Abbington will continue to speak up for.

“Ms Abbington remains concerned about the way the inquiry into her complaint was handled by the BBC, and the leaking of the investigation Report to the press, and will be meeting with the corporation in due course to raise these in more detail.”