Giovanni Pernice has quit Strictly Come Dancing, according to reports.
The professional dancer, 33, is said to have called time on his eight-year stint on the show – despite the BBC ‘backing him all the way’ after reports emerged of clashes with his past female contestants.
Giovanni has faced a wave of scrutiny ever since his dance partner Amanda Abbington dramatically quit the competition last year due to ‘personal reasons’, with insiders saying it ‘has all become too much’ for the under-fire star.
The actress, 52, is then said to have demanded footage of their rehearsals after the experience in the competition left her with PTSD.
She later met with Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh for an ’emotional summit’ where they spoke about their ‘difficult’ experiences with him.
Giovanni Pernice has quit Strictly Come Dancing, according to reports
A source told The Sun: ‘Gio feels the scrutiny on him has become too much, and now is the time to make a fresh start.
‘He wants to focus on other TV projects, and feels he’s achieved all he can on Strictly, having won the trophy back in 2021 and reaching the final an unprecedented four times.
‘He remains adamant he’s done nothing wrong other than being a hard taskmaster, but knows his style of training isn’t to everyone’s liking — especially in this day and age.’
It was claimed Amanda struggled with Giovanni’s ‘militant approach to training’, with her time on the show said to have been ‘plagued by difficulties’ and was later diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
The insider added Giovanni has lots of ‘exciting projects’ in the pipeline which is now his priority.
A spokesman for the BBC said: ‘The professional dancers for 2024 will be announced in due course’.
MailOnline has contacted Giovanni’s representatives for comment.
Amanda Abbington, 52, quit mid-series last year due to ‘personal reasons’ amid claims of a feud between her and the dancer before reports she had demanded footage of their rehearsals after the experience in the competition left her with PTSD.
But despite being hit with fresh allegations that he left a fourth celebrity in tears, MailOnline revealed the BBC were backing Giovanni ‘all the way’ and he would return to the show later this year after the broadcaster offered him a new contract.
Amanda Abbington, 52, quit mid-series last year due to ‘personal reasons’ amid claims of a feud between her and the dancer
Laura Whitmore and Giovanni pictured
Ranvir Singh and Giovanni pictured
BBC continued to support Giovanni by plugging his new prime time show with Anton Du Beke
Former partners also came out to back him, including Debbie McGee, the widow of the magician Paul Daniels, who was paired with him in 2017
The allegations, attributed to sources close to his most recent dance partner Amanda, made out Giovanni was ‘abrasive’ with his partners and had reduced some to tears.
While Strictly insiders agree that Giovanni pushes his partners hard to give them the best possible chance of winning the glitterball, they insist he is no bully.
And that’s why, despite accusations from Amanda and three of his previous partners, Giovanni was ‘offered a contract’ at the meeting and readily accepted.
‘He is thrilled,’ says one insider on the BBC One show. ‘While there are dots on i’s and crosses on t’s still to be written in, it all looks to be happening for him. As it’s the 20th anniversary, it’s a big year for the show and everyone involved wants Giovanni to be part of it.
‘It has been a really difficult few months for him. To have been hit with such claims – but not having anything he can respond to – has been really, really tough.’
Both the BBC and Team Giovanni say there have been no official complaints made about his behaviour.
Former partners have also come out to back him, including Debbie McGee, the widow of the magician Paul Daniels, who was paired with him in 2017.
Shortly after Amanda’s allegations, Debbie shared a beaming throwback picture of her and Giovanni taken backstage during their stint together. ‘Happy memories, Giovanni and I had the best of times on Strictly,’ ran the caption.
Indeed, Giovanni even dated one of his partners, Georgia May Foote, after they made the final together in his debut series back in 2015.
