Strictly’s Giovanni Pernice breaks his silence amid the latest allegations

Giovanni Pernice branded allegations about his teaching methods “simply bogus” after it emerged he will not be taking part in Strictly Come Dancing 2024. The Italian dancer has been part of the BBC One celebrity dance show since 2015 when he landed in the grand final with Coronation Street Actress Georgia May Foote.

But the BBC did not announce the 33-year-old in its line-up of professional dancers for the upcoming series, following reports he would not be competing. Taking to Instagram early on Sunday morning, the dancer said he was “co-operating fully” with an ongoing BBC investigation and was looking forward to “clearing my name and establishing the truth”.

The star wrote: “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 allegations are simply false. I am fully co-operating with the ongoing BBC investigation which will establish the truth.

“As requested, I have remained silent, but I look forward to the conclusion of the investigation and finally to clear my name and establish the truth. I’m so happy to be back on tour. Thank you all for your continued support – your messages and love mean so much to me. I hope to see many of you very soon and look forward to clearing my name. With love, Giovanni.”

Pernice is currently on tour with fellow professional dancer Anton Du Beke, with whom she has also hosted a traveling show. In 2021, Pernice lifted the Strictly glitterball trophy alongside EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis, who was the first deaf contestant.

The Sun, which first reported suggestions an investigation was underway, claimed Pernice had quit the show. A law firm acting on behalf of the claimants said the broadcaster was “gathering evidence”, but the BBC would not confirm whether any investigation had been launched. Pernice previously denied the allegations in a statement in May.