Giovanni Pernice All Smiles Ahead of BBC Bullying Verdict: ITV Readies £100K Offer for Dancing Star Amid Allegations Scandal

Just 24 hours before he learns the outcome of the BBC’s bullying investigation, Giovanni Pernice was all smiles yesterday – apparently confident his name will be cleared.

Pictured leaving his morning dance class, he gave a thumbs-up to photographers.

Today the Sicilian will discover the result of the corporation’s internal investigation into allegations that he bullied former dance partner Amanda Abbington, 52.

It comes after TV presenter Laura Whitmore confirmed over the weekend that she has spoken to the BBC about ‘inappropriate’ behaviour by an individual on the show.

Ms Whitmore, 39, who was partnered with Mr Pernice in the 2016 series of Strictly, said she initially raised concerns to the BBC six years ago. 

Just 24 hours before he learns the outcome of the BBC ¿s bullying investigation, Giovanni Pernice was all smiles yesterday (pictured) ¿ apparently confident his name will be cleared

+13
View gallery

Just 24 hours before he learns the outcome of the BBC ‘s bullying investigation, Giovanni Pernice was all smiles yesterday (pictured) – apparently confident his name will be cleared

I'm A Celeb and ITV bosses is said to be ready to swoop in to sign the dancer if he is cleared of the allegations

+13
View gallery

I’m A Celeb and ITV bosses is said to be ready to swoop in to sign the dancer if he is cleared of the allegations

It is said that ITV bosses know how popular Mr Pernice is with viewers and think he would be a huge ratings winner

+13
View gallery

It is said that ITV bosses know how popular Mr Pernice is with viewers and think he would be a huge ratings winner

Sources have claimed that Ms Whitmore and Ms Abbington had an ’emotional summit’ earlier this year with fellow Strictly alumna Ranvir Singh, 46, where they ‘compared notes’ about their time working with Mr Pernice, 33.

The dancer has always denied all of the allegations, claiming to have provided a dossier of evidence to Beeb investigators, and is said to be ‘fully confident’ that they will find in his favour.

ITV is said to be ready to swoop in to sign the dancer if he is cleared of the allegations. He quit Strictly in April, after nine years, following the BBC’s decision to launch its inquiry.

It is said that ITV bosses know how popular Mr Pernice is with viewers and think he would be a huge ratings winner.

One programme he is expected to star in is I’m A Celeb later this year, which is on at the same time as Strictly, and could net him in the region of £100,000.

Bosses, who are thrilled at the possibility of snatching Mr Pernice away from their rivals, also want to give him other shows and documentaries which would mean he would be one of ‘their own’.

A source at ITV said: ‘As long as those at the top are satisfied that Giovanni isn’t a bully and didn’t behave inappropriately during Strictly, they will be signing him up. They are very aware of how much Strictly viewers will miss him, he’s a true fans’ favourite, so they hope he will draw in big audiences.

‘Just imagine him on I’m A Celeb, he would be a favourite to win and they know he would be very good value in the jungle.

Today the Sicilian will discover the result of the corporation¿s internal investigation into allegations that he bullied former dance partner Amanda Abbington , 52 (pictured together)

+13
View gallery

Today the Sicilian will discover the result of the corporation’s internal investigation into allegations that he bullied former dance partner Amanda Abbington , 52 (pictured together)

It comes after TV presenter Laura Whitmore confirmed over the weekend that she has spoken to the BBC about ¿inappropriate¿ behaviour by an individual on the show

+13
View gallery

It comes after TV presenter Laura Whitmore confirmed over the weekend that she has spoken to the BBC about ‘inappropriate’ behaviour by an individual on the show

The pair are seen during rehearsals

+13
View gallery

The pair are seen during rehearsals

Sources then claimed Amanda, Ranvir Singh and Laura had an 'emotional summit' where they 'compared notes' about their time working with Giovanni on the show

+13
View gallery

Sources then claimed Amanda, Ranvir Singh and Laura had an ’emotional summit’ where they ‘compared notes’ about their time working with Giovanni on the show

Fellow Italian dancer Graziano Di Prima was sacked from the programme after he was accused of kicking and spitting at former Love Island star Zara McDermott (pictured together during last year's competition)

+13
View gallery

Fellow Italian dancer Graziano Di Prima was sacked from the programme after he was accused of kicking and spitting at former Love Island star Zara McDermott (pictured together during last year’s competition)

‘He would bring a huge fan base with him. He appeals to people of all ages which is a godsend for any broadcaster.’

The Beeb, meanwhile, has axed his adventure show with Strictly judge Anton du Beke.

Mr Pernice has vowed to never go back to Strictly, which celebrated its 20th anniversary this year.

He may even take legal action against the BBC.

A source close to Mr Pernice said: ‘Gio is looking forward to getting his career going again.

‘His Strictly one may have come to an end but that doesn’t mean it’s over for him.

‘There are some very exciting things in the pipeline.

‘He is really popular and there is a huge appetite for him elsewhere. He will never go back to Strictly, too much has happened.’

Giovanni is convinced he has presented evidence that proves he is far from the ‘cruel, abusive and mean’ man the Sherlock star Amanda claims he is.

Mr Pernice handed investigators a 28-minute long audio of Ms Abbington and him in conversation which his team proves he was instead hugely supportive.

During the clip, she told Mr Pernice that if she was him she ‘would have thrown me out of the window by now’ in an apparent acknowledgement that she could be difficult.

She also admitted she ‘self sabotages’ and repeatedly referred to how he supported her as she struggled with the show.

Ms Abbington even described herself as a ‘nightmare’ during the time they danced together from August until October last year.

The Mail On Sunday also reveals Mr Pernice handed the corporation lengthy screenshots of WhatsApp messages between himself and Ms Abbington where she would gush at how helpful he had been, how much she liked him and also makes apologies to him.

Sources close to the situation say that Mr Pernice now expects to be cleared of bullying her after the three-month investigation, with the BBC announcing its findings to both parties on Monday. The Corporation is also expected to release an ‘anodyne’ statement.

Giovanni is convinced he has presented evidence that proves he is far from the 'cruel, abusive and mean' man the Sherlock star Amanda claims he is

+13
View gallery

Giovanni is convinced he has presented evidence that proves he is far from the ‘cruel, abusive and mean’ man the Sherlock star Amanda claims he is

Sources close to the situation say that Mr Pernice now expects to be cleared of bullying Ms  Abbington (pictured) after the three-month investigation

+13
View gallery

Sources close to the situation say that Mr Pernice now expects to be cleared of bullying Ms  Abbington (pictured) after the three-month investigation

The investigation has been a frustrating one for the BBC, particularly as Ms Abbington has spoken out several times in the last week in advance of the end of the probe.

Last week she said that there was an incident of a ‘humiliating sexual nature’ in an interview with Channel 4 News presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy, who took part in the same series of Strictly.

She also said she received dozens of death and rape threats each day after she complained to the BBC that Mr Pernice had been bullying her.

This newspaper can reveal that Mr Pernice’s former dance partners were invited in by the BBC to explain their own experiences of working with him.

Meanwhile, members of the Strictly crew were also interviewed. It is understood none reported that they had either experienced or witnessed Mr Pernice, 33, behave badly.

The scandal unfolded at the turn of the year after Ms Abbington told The Sun that she had suffered from PTSD as a result of appearing on Strictly. She also reportedly asked to see rehearsal footage so she could pass it onto her lawyers.

The BBC refused her request. In April, it launched a formal investigation into her claims that Mr Pernice had bullied during their training sessions.

Mr Pernice’s spokesman said that he was not made aware of the sexual allegations until Channel 4 approached his lawyers at Schillings to offer a right to reply just hours before the interview was aired on Wednesday. He vehemently denies the claims.

Previously, Ms Abbington had claimed Mr Pernice stamped on her foot, leaving her with a bruised toe. She has given no other details.

Last Sunday she told The Sun: ‘I found Giovanni’s behaviour unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean. I couldn’t sit back and let him do that to other people.’ She offered no further details.

Last week in an interview with Channel 4 News, a tearful Ms Abbington said an incident of a 'humiliating sexual nature' took place

+13
View gallery

Last week in an interview with Channel 4 News, a tearful Ms Abbington said an incident of a ‘humiliating sexual nature’ took place

Mr Pernice (pictured with Ms Abbington in rehearsals) handed investigators at the BBC a 28-minute long audio of the pair in conversation which his team believes proves that far from bullying her, he was instead hugely supportive

+13
View gallery

Mr Pernice (pictured with Ms Abbington in rehearsals) handed investigators at the BBC a 28-minute long audio of the pair in conversation which his team believes proves that far from bullying her, he was instead hugely supportive

Meanwhile, the fallout at the BBC is said to be ‘serious.’ Bosses are already under scrutiny over why the investigation took three months, during which time significant damage was done to Strictly, often referred to as the jewel in the Corporation’s crown.

But insiders have hit back by saying that it was because the inquiry went on for so long that Strictly staff were able to raise professional dancer Graziano Di Prima hitting and kicking his former partner Zara McDermott. Investigators fired him within 48 hours, citing misconduct.

Despite the outcome of the inquiry into Mr Pernice being expected tomorrow, sources at the BBC say there could be more to come.

During her interview with Mr Guru-Murthy, Ms Abbington said she wanted to be remunerated for loss of earnings following her appearance on the show and the claims she was bullied.

But they also face potential action from Mr Pernice, who is unhappy that he was paired with Ms Abbington without them doing any psychological tests on her.

Yesterday, a spokesman for Ms Abbington said: ‘These details don’t alter anything: as Amanda has repeatedly made clear, she did her best to make things work.

‘This included being open with Giovanni about her own shortcomings as a dancer and her awareness that this must have been difficult for him.

‘For these comments to now be presented as some form of an excuse for the bullying that Amanda experienced is as unacceptable as the behaviour itself.’

Follow us to see more useful information, as well as to give us more motivation to update more useful information for you.
Source: USA Today

Related Posts

Featured Image

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez are facing a serious financial loss of up to eight figures as they try to sell their love nest.

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, the high-profile couple known for their passionate romance and tumultuous history, are currently navigating a challenging situation regarding the sale of their…

Featured Image

Without the royal family’s support, Harry’s 40th birthday might be more subdued than ever as he made a surprising statement: “I never thought things would turn out this way…”

This week in royal news has been marked by significant updates and developments involving some of the most prominent figures of the British royal family, including Kate…

Featured Image

Diddy was unexpectedly defended by Kalenna Harper in the Dawn Richard lawsuit. How much did he have to pay for her support???

The recent legal developments involving Diddy and his former partner Cassie have taken a dramatic turn with a new lawsuit alleging abuse. This new legal action has…

Featured Image

Princess Kate has shown signs of being “uncomfortable” when BBC continually asks her to discuss her treatment methods: “This is not the time to talk about this…”

The Princess of Wales shared an update on Instagram this week regarding her cancer treatment. Princess Kate recently shared a video about her ongoing cancer treatment (Image: Will…

Featured Image

It seems that fans and Taylor Swift might part ways as her fanbase recently announced they will no longer support her after her comments about Kamala Harris. Will Taylor change her mind?

Taylor Swift’s influence among her fanbase, particularly Generation Z, has been a topic of much discussion and speculation. Known for her impactful presence in the music industry…

Featured Image

Michael Jackson’s friend revealed a new truth about his white gloves: “If he took them off, you might find it shocking…”

Michael Jackson’s friend ‘knew the real reason’ he wore single white glove on right hand A single white glove became a signature accessory for Michael Jackson over…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

error: Content is protected !!