Giovanni Pernice accuses BBC of failing to safeguard Strictly stars

Former Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Giovanni Pernice has accused the BBC of failing to provide adequate psychological safeguards for contestants. In his new book, ‘Gio: My Story’, Pernice claims that the broadcaster did not conduct psychological assessments to ensure participants were mentally prepared for the challenges of the competition.

The controversy stems from the 2023 series, when actress Amanda Abbington left the show following allegations that Pernice had bullied and harassed her. A BBC investigation into Pernice’s teaching methods upheld six complaints and cleared him of 10 others. Abbington, who was subsequently diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), reportedly received a five-figure out-of-court settlement from BBC Studios.

Pernice described the impact of the allegations on his own mental health, stating that the experience left him feeling depressed and suicidal. He defended his rigorous rehearsal style as a reflection of his Sicilian heritage, comparing his approach to a personal trainer pushing an athlete to perform at their best.