Giovanni Pernice ‘quits’ Strictly Come Dancing following Amanda Abbington rift reports
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In the glittering world of ballroom dancing, tensions have been brewing behind the scenes of the beloved BBC show, Strictly Come Dancing. News has emerged that professional dancer Giovanni Pernice has reportedly made the difficult decision to leave the show following a rift with actress and former dance partner Amanda Abbington.
Pernice, who has been a fixture on the show since 2015, has waltzed across the dancefloor with various celebrities over the years, from Drag Race star Michelle Visage to season 19 winner Rose Ayling-Ellis. However, it was his partnership with Abbington last year that has now come under scrutiny.
The pair’s time on the show was cut short when Abbington, known for her roles in Sherlock and Mr Selfridge, decided to step away from the competition for personal reasons. This decision came after Abbington faced controversy over comments she made concerning drag shows and trans individuals, for which she later issued an apology.
Reports began to surface that Abbington was seeking legal advice in connection with her time on Strictly Come Dancing. Allegations of frustrations over not being included in the show’s live arena tour and her absence from the all-cast season finale added fuel to the fire.
Rumors of a rift between Pernice and Abbington bubbled to the surface in January, with reports indicating that Abbington had requested to see behind-the-scenes footage of her rehearsals with Pernice. The situation escalated further when The Sun reported that Pernice had decided to quit the show ahead of the 2024 season.
According to a source cited by the newspaper, Pernice felt that the scrutiny on him had become too much, leading him to seek a fresh start. The source mentioned that Pernice wanted to focus on other television projects and believed he had achieved all he could on Strictly, having won the trophy in 2021 and reached the final an unprecedented four times.
While Pernice maintained that he had done nothing wrong other than being a demanding taskmaster, he acknowledged that his training style might not be to everyone’s liking in today’s era. With a slate of exciting projects on the horizon, Pernice expressed his eagerness to move forward and prioritize his new endeavors.
In response to the reports of a rift, a BBC spokesperson emphasized the show’s commitment to providing comprehensive support to all individuals involved in their productions. They highlighted Strictly Come Dancing‘s reputation as a positive and joyful experience, where robust support and assistance are readily available at every stage of the production.
Abbington, who disclosed her diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder following her time on Strictly, is not the only former partner to have spoken out about Pernice’s training methods after leaving the show. Laura Whitmore, who danced with Pernice in 2016, shared her own harrowing experience of feeling broken both mentally and physically during her time on the show.
As fans digest the news of Pernice’s departure and reflect on the backstage drama that has unfolded, one thing remains certain – the world of Strictly Come Dancing continues to captivate audiences with its dazzling performances and unexpected twists. Whether Pernice’s exit will pave the way for new opportunities or signal a changing dynamic within the show, only time will tell.
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Strictly Come Dancing
