Giovanni Pernice has attempted to prove his bond with one of his former Strictly partners still lives on amid reports several have complained about his behaviour on the BBC staple.
Pernice won Strictly in 2021 with EastEnders actor Rose Ayling-Ellis and has taken to social media to show his support for her following her latest post.
On Ayling-Ellis’s latest Instagram post, in which she included several snaps from her personal life, Pernice sent a clear message that the pair are still pals as he commented three love heart emojis.
He also liked the post alongside several other Strictly stars including Luba Mushtuk, Katya Jones, Nancy Xu and Karen Hauer.
Meanwhile, in his latest social media update, Pernice promoted the final episode of his and Anton du Beke’s divisive BBC travel series.
Ayling-Ellis hasn’t publicly reacted to Pernice’s comment or his own post but the Italian dancer did receive supportive gestures from the likes of pro dancers Gorka Marquez and Nadiya Bychkova.
Giovanni Pernice and Rose Ayling-Ellis won Strictly in 2021
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Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh had reportedly contacted Abbington after reports of her PTSD and fallout from her time on the show hit headlines.
Singh had complained to producers during her time on the programme in 2020 while Whitmore was quoted as saying she was “broken” by her Strictly experience and was “extremely uncomfortable” working with Pernice.
In the past few days, it’s been reported another of Pernice’s former partners, Faye Tozer, faced a similarly tough time working with the 33-year-old and was often left in tears.
A source told The Sun that with so many former partners coming forward, Pernice faces a make-or-break chat with the BBC this week as to whether he’ll be partnered with a celebrity for this year’s competition.
The source said: “Giovanni has a meeting with Strictly on Thursday about his return later this year. They have not received any official complaints and are backing him.
“He is an accomplished pro dancer and it’s expected he will be taking his place in the formal line-up when it’s announced later this month.”
Giovanni Pernice has shown his bond with Rose Ayling-Ellis amid reports of former partners’ complaints
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Another source claimed to the publication that Tozer was often left “in tears” during her time on the show and that there was a particular “bust-up” behind the scenes of It Takes Two.
The BBC has said of the reports: “The pro dancers for 2024 will be announced in due course.”
GB News has contacted Pernice’s representatives for comment.
