In a recent interview, former Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni Pernice addressed allegations of inappropriate behavior during rehearsals, emphasizing that he considers himself a “strict teacher” but not a bully. This comes on the heels of a BBC investigation into his conduct, which concluded earlier this month.
His dance partner from last year, actress Amanda Abbington, described her experiences during training sessions as “inappropriate, mean, and nasty.” Following the investigation, the BBC acknowledged some of Abbington’s complaints but cleared Pernice of the most serious allegations. “Bully is a big word,” Pernice remarked during an appearance on ITV’s Lorraine, explaining that there’s a distinction between being a bully and being passionate about one’s work.
The BBC’s report revealed that of the 17 complaints reviewed, six were upheld, predominantly regarding verbal bullying and harassment, while the more serious claims of physical aggression were not substantiated. Pernice claimed that the upheld allegations pertained to “verbal bullying,” but reiterated, “the investigation didn’t find me a bully, which is exactly why I’m relieved now.”
Reflecting on the outcome, he said, “I’m glad that the 11 allegations have been thrown out. At the beginning, there were very serious allegations, like threatening or abusing her, and all of this has been taken out.” Discussing his rigorous training style, he noted, “I care about my job. I’m very, very competitive. I’ve won the glitterball before, and while I don’t need to win every time, I’ll do everything to help my partner perform their best.”
Pernice, who won the show with Rose Ayling-Ellis in 2021, acknowledged the challenges of dancing, insisting that his approach is effective and essential for success. “Teaching the way I teach is the successful way to approach this,” he asserted.
Despite admitting to feeling frustration in rehearsals—a sentiment he believes is common among competitors—he praised Abbington as a “brilliant” dancer and stated they never had major conflicts, only discussions about choreography. Abbington, however, painted a very different picture of their working relationship, stating she endured “an ongoing litany of being verbally abused,” including a lengthy rant from Pernice directed at her during their time together.
Pernice countered these claims by stating, “There is so much that is not true in these things,” and firmly denied using derogatory language towards her. In a separate interview, he described their exchanges as “very rude banter,” adding that producers had expressed concern over their interactions, but Abbington dismissed the issue, claiming she initiated the dynamic.
Feeling constrained by the BBC’s request for confidentiality until the investigation concluded, Pernice expressed frustration over Abbington’s comments during a July interview, particularly when she implied her treatment involved “humiliating behavior of a sexual nature.” He told the Daily Mail, “I was worried it could destroy my career,” emphasizing that he felt painted in a negative light and accused of being someone he is not.
Pernice’s story reveals a complex interplay of competitive pressure, personal accountability, and contrasting perceptions of professional conduct within the high-stakes environment of television reality competitions.
