Strictly Come Dancing star Giovanni Pernice has been in the spotlight for a while following last year’s series of the BBC competition.
Pernice, 33, left the last series early when partner Amanda Abbington pulled out of the competition amid rumours of a clash between the pair and claims have since escalated after the actress reportedly sought legal advice over her time on the show.
Not long after her exit from the series, it was claimed Sherlock star Abbington had demanded footage from her rehearsals with the Italian dancer following claims she left the series with PTSD.
In March, further claims were made about the Italian dancer’s approach to training when two other former partners, Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh, supposedly met with Abbington to discuss their experiences.
Good Morning Britain presenter Singh, 46, had complained about Pernice on the 2020 show, while Whitmore’s experience with him in 2016 left her “crying every day”.
It now seems Steps star Step's Faye Tozer, 48, was also impacted the Pernice’s “fiercely competitive” streak.
Abbington's 'feud' with Pernice in last year's show has sparked a string of reports
ITV
A source explained how the dancer’s “fiercely competitive” nature left the singer emotional.
Speaking to The Sun, they added: “They did often clash and she was in tears on It Takes Two. She found how he spoke to her abrasive.”
The BBC has previously thrown its support behind Pernice, with a source telling the same publication back in January: “The BBC see him as a key face of Strictly and will do all they can to support him."
However, it was recently announced the broadcaster is now “undecided” about pairing the choreographer on this year’s show following the allegations.
On his future on the series, The Sun reports a source has stated: “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.””
Meanwhile, it’s believed the professional dancer line-up for the 2024 series of Strictly will be announced “in due course”.
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Abbington and Pernice left the series early during last year's Strictly after the actress decided to pull out of the show
BBC
Pernice has remained tight-lipped on the claims and was recently back on screens in a series alongside Strictly judge Anton Du Beke.
Speaking to Lorraine Kelly to promote the show, he said of Abbington: "It’s a shame because, as I’ve said in the past, it was a shame. With Amanda, we could have gone all the way to the final, a great talent.
“But again, you’re there to put this in perspective of being the best they can, and Amanda as I said was a great, great talent, great dancer.”
GB News has contacted the BBC and Pernice's representatives for a comment.