Giovanni Pernice has admitted he’s a “perfectionist” as he directly addressed his approach to Strictly Come Dancing rehearsals on Wednesday’s The One Show.
The Italian dancer has been in the news recently after his celebrity partner for the 2023 series, Amanda Abbington, reportedly “demanded” footage from the BBC of their time training together.
Abbington is believed to be seeking legal advice about her time on the show after claiming she was diagnosed with “minor PTSD” as a result.
The Sherlock actor ended up quitting the series for “personal reasons” and omitted Pernice from her farewell statement at the time, fuelling rumours the duo were at loggerheads.
Since reports of Abbington’s demands emerged, the BBC has said it won’t be investigating Pernice while he’s been publicly backed by the likes of Shirley Ballas and Craig Revel Horwood.
Joining Alex Jones and Ronan Keating on Wednesday’s The One Show to promote his ongoing solo tour, the former was keen to put the reports of his feud with Abbington to the dancer.
Giovanni Pernice on Strictly row: The dancer defended his ‘perfectionist’ methods on The One Show
BBC
“There’s been a bit in the press recently about you and your Strictly partners,” Jones said. “How would you describe yourself as a teacher?”
Defending his methods, Pernice replied: “Well, I’m definitely a perfectionist. Like everybody else, like every other competitor, I like to win.
“But for me, it’s all about getting the best out of my partner, especially if I see there is talent there. I want to do my job properly.
“And I think like everyone really – if you’re a presenter, if you’re a singer – you train your life to be the best, and when you’re on Strictly you’ve only got one week…” he continued before he gestured at Jones who’s been a Strictly competitor before.
Giovanni Pernice and Amanda Abbington: The Strictly stars have hit headlines of late
BBC
Agreeing with Pernice about the time constraints on the show, Jones replied: “You would have cried if you were with me, you would have been like, ‘Well, what’s the point?'”
Pernice then continued his explanation: “The point is, you’ve got four days to create a new dance, to put it to music, to try to teach the technique, plus all the other interviews you have to do in the week.
“So it’s a tough job to do for sure,” he concluded.
Since the reports emerged, both Abbington and Pernice have thanked their respective fanbases for their support.
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Abbington told The Sun on Sunday earlier this month: “I just want to thank everyone who has been so kind and lovely and supportive this past week. It means a great, great deal.
“I was diagnosed with mild PTSD after Strictly for several reasons and I told a few people about that, in the utmost confidence, among other things that were happening in my life at the time both professionally and personally.
“I’m very sorry that people felt the need to send me death threats, threaten my children and bring up my past, healthy relationship with an ex-partner as an indicator of my current mental health. I wish those people well.”
GB News has previously contacted both Pernice and Abbington’s representatives about the reports.
