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’.
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’ to speak 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. He has a lot of other exciting projects in the pipeline right now, and he’s just super-excited to get cracking on them. This, now, is 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
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.
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk