Giovanni Pernice has teased he will be revealing some ‘exciting news’ in the upcoming days despite not taking part in this year’s series of Strictly.
The professional dancer took to Instagram on Thursday to celebrate his 34th birthday as he appeared in great spirits after thanking fans for their continued support.
It has been a difficult year for Giovanni after he found himself at the centre of a BBC misconduct investigation after his former celebrity partner Amanda Abbington abruptly quit the show last October.
BBC bosses are reportedly racing to finish the investigation before the new series begins, and Giovanni shared a positive message with fans as he wrote: ’30+4 today!! thank you so much to all of you for the messages..’
He added: ‘I do appreciate your love and your endless support! Better days to come and exciting news to share with you very soon ☺️ love you all Gio’.
Giovanni Pernice has revealed he has ‘exciting news’ as he celebrated his 34th birthday with a cryptic post to Instagram on Thursday as the Strictly misconduct scandal draws to a close
It has been a difficult year for Giovanni after he found himself at the centre of a BBC misconduct investigation after his former celebrity partner Amanda Abbington abruptly quit the show last October
Giovanni has vehemently denied Amanda’s claims that the dancer bullied her and she suffered with PTSD after leaving the competition.
Amanda previously said she would ‘cry and vomit’ after returning home from rehearsals with Giovanni.
Speaking to The Times, Abbington claims she has since received death threats from fans of the Italian dancer, whose long-term future on Strictly remains uncertain.
She said: ‘I’ve had the worst experience. The show was tough and horrible, but the aftermath of it I was not expecting. It’s been really brutal and it just hasn’t stopped.
‘It’s been awful, just relentless. Death threats and rape threats for just standing up for something that I thought was wrong.’
The actress also admitted she would become nauseous after completing rehearsals with Giovanni, a fan favourite who had appeared on Strictly for eight years prior to his suspension.
According to The Sun, Giovanni phoned Amanda just weeks after it emerged the investigation team were trying to find the footage of their rehearsals.
A source said: ‘Giovanni tried to call Amanda a few weeks ago. Nobody knows why.
BBC bosses are reportedly racing to finish the investigation before the new series begins, and Giovanni shared a positive message with fans as he wrote: ’30+4 today !! thank you so much to all of you for the messages’
Giovanni has vehemently denied Amanda’s claims that the dancer bullied her and she suffered with PTSD after leaving the competition
Amanda also admitted she would become nauseous after completing rehearsals with Giovanni, a fan favourite who had appeared on Strictly for eight years prior to his suspension
Giovanni Pernice returns to stage with Anton Du Beke
‘They’ve not spoken since she quit the show, so for him to call out of the blue, especially with an inquiry taking place, is very odd.
‘Amanda didn’t want to speak to him and blocked his number. She wants nothing to do with Giovanni.’
Meanwhile the investigation that began with accusations against Giovanni has since widened after more complaints surrounding the hit show.
It has heaped further turmoil on Strictly, which is deemed to be the jewel in the Corporation’s crown and is still watched by more than ten million people.
Sources have told the Mail that the accusations have prompted bosses to extend the inquiry to look at other matters, and individuals, involved with the dance series as they prepare for its 20th anniversary.
It means that Giovanni, who has already let his frustrations at the investigation be known, faces an even longer wait for an outcome after three former dance partners, including Amanda, instructed lawyers to make ‘serious complaints’ about his conduct.
It also threatens to damage Strictly, the BBC’s biggest Saturday night success story since The Generation Game.
Meanwhile the investigation that began with accusations against Giovanni has since widened after more complaints surrounding the hit show and Graziano was also sacked from the show over reports he verbally and physically abused his dance partner
Friends of the Strictly star have stood by him, including fellow dancer and now judge Anton Du Beke
A television source told the Mail: ‘This investigation is no longer just solely about Giovanni but other, more wider issues. The show has been going for 20 years and the whole veneer of Strictly is so sparkly and lovely, of course there will always be people who feel hard done by.
‘Amanda’s complaints have started something massive, it has opened the door for others to come forward about things they haven’t been happy with.
‘It is all a big headache for the BBC, it is about to celebrate a massive milestone with its 20th anniversary.
‘Having the Giovanni complaint has been a big enough issue, but now it looks like there is more to be scrutinised and looked into.’
Sources close to Giovanni say that he fully expects to be exonerated.
