Ex Strictly Come Dancing star Giovanni Pernice sails through to the FINAL of its Italian version after Amanda Abbington allegations led to his axe from BBC show
Giovanni Pernice has sailed through to the Italian version of Strictly Come Dancing .
The professional dancer, 33, stepped back from the BBC Latin and ballroom show before this year’s competition kicked off after bullying allegations from his former partner Amanda Abbington.
Giovanni was cleared of ten out of Amanda’s 16 allegations when the BBC probe concluded in September but remained absent for the current edition of the series.
He has since gone on to appear on Ballando Con Le Stelle (Dancing With The Stars) in his home country, and has been paired up with actress Bianca Guaccero.
The couple won the semi-final heat on Saturday, as they topped the leaderboard with a score of 60.
Giovanni and Bianca will face swimmer Federica Pellegrini and Pasquale La Rocca, as well as actress Anna Lou Castoldi and Nikita Perotti in the season finale this weekend.
Giovanni Pernice has sailed through to the Italian version of Strictly Come Dancing after winning the latest heat with actress Guaccero
Giovanni and Bianca will face swimmer Federica Pellegrini and Pasquale La Rocca, as well as actress Anna Lou Castoldi and Nikita Perotti in the season finale this weekend
Bianca, 43, came to prominence in Italy in 2006 when she starred in the drama Capri and since 2018, she has hosted the beauty-themed reality show Detto fatto.
After making it through to the final, she wrote on Instagram: ‘The endless emotion of dancing between you towards a magical ending.
‘THANK YOU ALL.
‘See you in the final…We love you.’
Just days ago his comeback in the UK was announced as it was revealed that he will be appearing alongside a host of other TV stars in a new show for Channel 4.
Despite bosses finding Giovanni was not threatening or physically abusive, it did uphold some of Amanda’s complaints of verbal bullying and harassment.
The BBC also agreed with Amanda at times he appeared to be giving her overly negative feedback.
In a written statement, a spokesperson for Giovanni said: ‘We are pleased that this six-month review has not found any evidence of threatening or abusive behaviour by Giovanni.’
Bianca, 43, came to prominence in Italy in 2006 when she starred in the drama Capri and since 2018, she has hosted the beauty-themed reality show Detto fatto
The pair impressed the judges and the voting public with their routine on Saturday and topped the leaderboard
Bianca was quick to celebrate their success in a social media post where she thanked the viewers
The dancer, 33, stepped back from the BBC Latin and ballroom show before this year’s competition kicked off after bullying allegations from Amanda Abbington (pictured)
On the same day Giovanni and Bianca triumphed in their final, Giovanni took to social media to speak out just hours ahead of the UK’s Strictly crowning its champion
‘Giovanni is relieved that the overwhelming majority of allegations out to the BBC have not been upheld and looks forward to continuing his work on Dancing With The Stars in Italy this season.’
Sources have told MailOnline Amanda’s bullying claims amounted to Giovanni swearing at her and not giving her enough feedback during their rehearsal sessions which took place last autumn. She also claimed that her partner stepped on her toe.
On the same day Giovanni and Bianca triumphed in their final, Giovanni took to social media to speak out just hours ahead of the UK’s Strictly crowning its champion.
It was comedian Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell who lifted the Glitterball Trophy in the end, but former BBC star GIovanni had hoped for another result.
He was backing JLS singer JB Gill and Lauren Oakley for the Glitterball Trophy.
He said: ‘Good luck to this fantastic duo tonight ! but especially to Our dancing queen @laurenmayoakley.’
