Speculation surrounding Giovanni Pernice's future on Strictly Come Dancing has been a hot topic over the last few weeks after former partner Amanda Abbington proceeded to take legal action against him after claiming to have suffered PTSD from their time together - but his career may not be over yet.
Abbington left the 2023 series in week five after claiming Pernice purposefully stamped on her foot and had a "militant training regime", before requesting access to their training footage.
Following the Sherlock star's allegations, it was reported that two more of Pernice's former partners were considering legal action after complaining of his alleged "threatening and abusive behaviour".
The BBC launched an internal investigation to look into his workplace conduct and his "abrasive" nature towards his former partners, reportedly reducing them to tears and leaving them "black and blue".
Abbington recently spoke out for the first time since launching her legal action against Pernice and branded him to be "nasty and awful" towards herself and many more of the cast.
Since the claims, the Latin and Ballroom champion has vehemently denied the claims and refuted the allegation that Abbington was the one to request their training sessions be recorded - adding he was the one who asked due to growing "concerned" about her behaviour.
Amanda dropped out of Strictly in week five and claimed to have PTSD
BBC
Whilst a source has said that Pernice has decided to step away from the hit show to pursue other career goals and TV opportunities, neither Pernice nor the BBC have confirmed nor denied it - but the Beeb reportedly asked the star to apologise after reviewing the footage.
It seems there may be a way back from the scandal as a crisis management expert, Edward Coram James, CEO of GoUp, has argued that the next step for the Italian dancer would be to release a defiant statement "to get ahead".
He told The Mirror: "He should acknowledge that his training can be intense, but that there is a key difference between intense and toxic - that he pursues perfection in himself, and so demands the same from those he works with. And, if that doesn't work for them, then they shouldn't work with him.
"Brilliance requires sacrifice… that sort of thing. So long as the allegations don't end up being too nefarious, I believe that the public will sympathise with this position and respect the integrity behind it."
Giovanni was advised to release another statement in order to stop a "fatal career blow"
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James went on to discuss the importance of maintaining a brand for a public figure's reputation and added that hypocrisy, insincerity and a lack of values sink people's careers quickly.
Pernice released a statement on his Instagram account to refute the allegations when they first arose, but James has insisted that the star goes even further with his response.
The expert highlighted that Pernice has always been proud of the fact that he is competitive and a perfectionist, forming his entire brand around the two notions.
"I don't believe that these allegations will come as much of a surprise to many, and so cannot cause too much damage to his brand. He can legitimately turn around and say, 'Yup… always told you I pushed people to their limits to bring out the best in them. Sometimes that's just what greatness takes'."
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After Amanda, two more former partners were reported to be taking a claim against Giovanni
BBC
Giving advice on what Pernice's next steps should be, James noted that the Strictly star should release a statement confirming that he is strict with training and is what he expects in a partner if they want to pursue excellence.
James also criticised the BBC for potentially "overreacting" and said: "That investigation may well unearth evidence of serious wrongdoing, in which case Pernice will rightly have a huge amount of explaining to do. All that we can do is wait and see.
"Whilst we know our shows have been positive experiences for many of those who have taken part, we will always look at any issues raised with care, fairness and sensitivity to everyone concerned. We will not be commenting further."
GB News has contacted Pernice's representative for comment.
