Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni Pernice has broken his social media silence amid the ongoing BBC investigation into his conduct during last year's competition with partner Amanda Abbington.
The Italian dancer, who has been a fan favourite since joining the show in 2015, posted a heartfelt statement to his Instagram followers after being noticeably absent from the recently announced professional dancer lineup for the 2024 series.
Social Media Return After Weeks of Silence
Pernice took to Instagram for the first time in weeks, sharing a poignant message alongside a photograph of himself in dance attire. "Just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who has sent messages of support over the last few weeks - I really truly appreciate it," the dancer wrote.
He continued with emotional sincerity: "Thank you, thank you, thank you. I hope you're all doing well." The post comes at a crucial time for the professional dancer, whose future on the hit BBC show remains uncertain.
BBC Investigation Casts Shadow Over Strictly Future
The investigation was launched after Pernice's 2023 dance partner, actress Amanda Abbington, reportedly requested footage of their training sessions from the BBC. Abbington unexpectedly withdrew from the competition mid-series, citing "personal reasons" at the time, though later revealing she'd been diagnosed with mild PTSD following her Strictly experience.
While Pernice hasn't directly addressed the investigation in his statement, his message of gratitude to supporters speaks volumes about the challenging period he's navigating. The timing is particularly significant given his exclusion from the recently revealed professional roster for the upcoming series.
Strictly Colleagues Show Support
The comments section of Pernice's post revealed an outpouring of support from fellow Strictly professionals and celebrities. Head judge Shirley Ballas simply wrote "Beautiful" with a heart emoji, while fellow professional Lauren Oakley added: "Love you Gio."
Former contestant and BBC presenter Steph McGovern commented: "Sending love," while Debbie McGee, who reached the final with Pernice in 2017, posted three red love hearts in a clear show of solidarity.
Uncertain Future for Popular Professional
Pernice's absence from the 2024 professional lineup marks a significant shift for the dancer, who has become one of the show's most recognised faces over nine series. His competitive partnership style has previously been praised for producing spectacular routines, though the current investigation suggests concerns about his approach.
As the BBC continues its internal review, Pernice's statement represents his first public acknowledgement of the challenging situation, offering fans a glimpse into his personal response to the professional setback.
