Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas has again defended professional dancer Giovanni Pernice (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
Shirley Ballas has again thrown her support behind Giovanni Pernice despite the BBC ‘banning’ Strictly stars from commenting on matters surrounding his exit from the show.
The 33-year-old dancer, who won’t be returning for the upcoming season of Strictly Come Dancing, has faced accusations by former contestants, which sparked an investigation from the BBC into his behaviour and teaching methods.
It was previously reported bosses of the long-running series were concerned the matter could overshadow the upcoming 20th anniversary season and were considering ‘gagging the cast’.
However, head judge Shirley, 63, and fellow judge Anton Du Beke, 57, showed their support for Giovanni by teaching at his Ballando dance workshop in London on Sunday.
When walking on stage to teach a Jive, Shirley threw her support behind the embattled pro dancer.
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She told the dancers it was an ‘honour and a privilege’ to be at the workshop with Giovanni, 33, adding: ‘I’ve known him for 10 years and we’re good friends.’
Shirley has said she will ‘be at his side forever’ (Picture: Shirley Ballas/ Instagram)
Offering a ‘huge thank you’ to Giovanni for hosting her at his workshop, she continued, as reported by the Daily Mail: ‘I will be one person who will be by his side forever. What you see is what you get with him.’
The Queen of Latin went on to share a story about Giovanni’s caring side, revealing that when her mother Audrey battled cancer, Giovanni was a source of comfort for her.
She recalled: ‘He was by my side and even when we were both so busy he would always ask how she was.
‘We were at an event with a bunch of VIPs and me and mum were on the other side of the room but Giovanni moved past them all to come and speak to us.’
Last month it was announced by the BBC he wouldn’t be returning to Strictly this season (Picture: Ken McKay/ ITV/ Rex/ Shutterstock)
At the event Anton, who taught the attendees a Quickstep, wrapped Giovanni into a hug and called the dancer his ‘best friend’.
Their actions over the weekend come after Shirley defended Giovanni and hailed him a ‘perfect gentleman’, which is said to have sparked a new rule from producers.
‘We’re just a few weeks away from the 2024 cast reveal and bosses are worried the scandal is now dangerously close to overshadowing the new series,’ an insider told The Sun last month.
‘A lot of work has gone into it as it’s the 20th anniversary, and now – still – all anyone talks about is Giovanni.
Shirley’s comments apparently sparked a new rule (Picture: Guy Levy/BBC/PA)
‘Shirley launching such a passionate defence of him was far from helpful and stoked the flames. Bosses hope gagging the cast will help.’
It’s said that all professionals on the show have been given training on how to handle questions about Giovanni, and avoid tough topics.
The dancer has strongly denied the accusations, while he won’t be part of the new lineup.
Speaking on Lorraine, Shirley previously said: ‘I’ve known Giovanni for many years and he is an absolutely splendid teacher.
Amanda Abbington has said her Strictly experience left her with PTSD (Picture: BBC/Guy Levy)
‘My only ever experience with him is he is an absolute gentlemen. He gives 100%. Strictly and shows like that they are tough shows so you know when you sign up for that kind of thing. It’s quite difficult to do the show.’
For the past few months, the Italian dancer has faced accusations by former contestants, including Amanda Abbington, who quit Strictly after five weeks last year, citing ‘personal reasons’ at the time, before saying her experience left her with PTSD.
It is believed Amanda met with Giovanni’s former dance partners Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh to ‘compare notes’ about their experiences with him on the show, and have considered launching legal action.
Giovanni has denied the accusations (Picture: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
Giovanni has defended himself on social media over the claims, saying he ‘rejects any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour, adding: ‘I look forward to clearing my name.’
He is said to have instructed lawyers to fight the claims, and in his latest statement, which was posted on Sunday June 16, he 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 accusations are simply false.’
He continued: ‘I am cooperating fully with the ongoing BBC investigation, which will determine the truth. As requested, I have stayed silent, but I am looking forward to the conclusion of the investigation and ultimately clearing my name and establishing the truth.
Metro.co.uk has contacted the BBC for comment.
Strictly Come Dancing returns to the BBC later this year.
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