Giovanni Pernice to make UK TV comeback after being cleared in Strictly probe

14 October 2024, 19:28

Giovanni Pernice is returning to British screens
Giovanni Pernice is returning to British screens. Picture: Alamy

By Henry Moore

Axed Strictly Come Dancing star Giovanni Pernice is making a return to British Television.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Pernice will return to UK screens after he was cleared following an investigation into allegations about his behaviour while taking part in Strictly Come Dancing.

Amanda Abbington who pulled out of the show last year citing "personal reasons", accused the professional dancer of creating "toxic environment" and "inappropriate, mean, nasty bullying".

Despite these allegations, the 34-year-old dancer will appear on Channel 4 show Celebrity Hunted, where celebs attempt to remain undetected by expert hunters for 28 days.

Read more: Amanda Abbington says Giovanni Pernice made 'litany... of innuendo' at her during Strictly Come Dancing training

Read more: Amanda Abbington has 'no regrets' about complaints against Giovanni Pernice - despite death and rape threats

The show was filmed in 2022 but was reportedly shelved following Abbington’s allegations.

Giovanni Pernice at the Strictly Come Dancing Launch at BBC Broadcasting House in London
Giovanni Pernice at the Strictly Come Dancing Launch at BBC Broadcasting House in London. Picture: Alamy

Channel 4 considered axing the series altogether, the Sun reports, but decided against it after Pernice was cleared.

A source told the publication: “It was absolutely right to shelve Hunted while the BBC took the time to unravel the claims against Giovanni. It was filmed in 2022 and due to screen last year, but will now air in early 2025.”

Pernice stars in the show alongside his 2022 dance partner, Radio 2’s Richie Anderson.

A review published in September "upheld some, but not all, of the complaints made" against professional dancer Pernice.

In response, Ms Abbington said: "There's a 30-page report that me and my lawyers are still digesting.

"There are still things in there that are unresolved."

Giovanni Pernice and Amanda Abbington are seen as training at Studio on October 9, 2023 in London, United Kingdom.
Giovanni Pernice and Amanda Abbington are seen as training at Studio on October 9, 2023 in London, United Kingdom. Picture: Getty

Abbington claimed that there was a "significant reason" that some of the allegations against Pernice were not upheld, and that her team will be "investigating that further".

When asked if she is considering bringing a lawsuit against the BBC, the 50-year-old said: "I'm taking guidance from my lawyer, who has just been so amazing throughout this whole thing.

"She's been the driving force and has helped me, because there's been times when I've just thought, is this worth it.

"I'm taking advice from her, and on a day-to-day basis."

Following the review, Pernice said: “I’m happy because, you know, at the beginning there were very very serious allegations thrown out at me but as none of the serious allegations have been upheld.

“All the threatening, abusive, harassment behaviour allegations have not been upheld.”

He continued: “I’m happy because today I can carry on to do what I was born to do, and I love to do which is entertain all of you, because this is my life.”

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Abdoulaye Doucoure of Everton argues with Curtis Jones of Liverpool during the Premier League match at Goodison Park, Liverpool.

Merseyside Mayhem: Four red cards handed out as Everton score late equaliser in last-ever derby at Goodison Park

Breaking
Crowd Of Commuters Walking To Work Across London Bridge.

UK economy unexpectedly grew by 0.1% in last quarter of 2024, new figures show

Tranyelle Harshman, 32, of Wyoming, left her fourth daughter fighting for her life after going on a rampage at their home on Monday.

Mum-of-four shoots dead three young daughters before turning gun on herself

Speeding car approaching warning to slow down, on UK road

Shock figures reveal 'incredibly dangerous' speeding across UK - as one driver caught doing 122mph on 30mph road

Emergency services work near the scene of an explosion at a bar where a grenade was thrown, in Grenoble, on February 12, 2025.

At least 12 injured after man wielding assault rifle throws grenade into bar

Dorothy Chiles

Great-grandmother, 87, pictured for first time after deadly train station attack, as woman in her 20s arrested

President Donald Trump speaks on Wednesday night

Trump makes plans to meet Putin and end Ukraine war as he says 'the US wants its money back'

Exclusive
Katie Amess has spoken out about the need for an inquiry into her father's murder by an Islamist terrorist

Daughter of Sir David Amess, MP murdered by Islamist terrorist, ‘made to sign NDA’ on report into father’s death

Exclusive
Angela Rayner reveals she took advice from NHS trauma specialists ahead of Grenfell demolition meeting

Angela Rayner reveals she took advice from NHS trauma specialists ahead of Grenfell demolition meeting

Italian F1 Grand Prix - Previews

Nightclub bouncer behind £12m plot to reveal Formula One star Michael Schumacher's health secrets jailed

Josef Fritzl

Incest monster Josef Fritzl could walk free from prison next year - and expects 'cheering crowds' to greet him

Ofsted's Chief Inspector Sir Martyn Oliver supports an extension to term times

'Time to think about school holidays': Ofsted's Chief Inspector supports extending term times

Exclusive
Angela Rayner insisted that British support for Ukraine was 'unwavering'

Rayner insists UK support for Ukraine 'unwavering' despite Trump's plan for 'immediate' peace talks with Putin

Prince William, President of BAFTA, operates a film camera as he visits the London Screen Academy in London, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, Pool)

William tries his hand at being a cameraman on visit to London film academy

President Donald J. Trump participates in a bilateral meeting with the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin during the G20 Japan Summit Friday, June 28, 2019, in Osaka, Japan.

Trump and Putin 'to meet in Saudi Arabia' and 'start negotiations immediately' to end war in Ukraine

Street scene in Peckham, London, with red bus

Bus driver, 76, found guilty of killing passenger who was run over while attempting to board vehicle