GIOVANNIA Pernice’s former Strictly Come Dancing partner has shared a candid view of his coaching style as she joked that she “might have wanted to strangle him” during their time on the show.
The singer revealed that the tough Italian, who faced a number of allegations, would scream at her “again, again, again” as he chased perfection on the dance floor.
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Giovanni Pernice’s ex-partner joked that she wanted to ‘strangle’ him when they danced together in 2022Credit: Getty
They teamed up during the 2022 Strictly Christmas special and were one of six couples to compete that year.
Despite her previous dance experience as a member of the chart-topping band Girls Aloud, Nicola Roberts admitted she had trouble picking up the steps, which irritated Giovanni, 33.
Nicola (38) then said: “My process is quite slow.
“When you’re in a band, you have weeks to perfect a two-hour set, so there will be certain numbers that you pick up quickly or numbers that might take a good few weeks to really sink in, and that’s my process, that’s how I’ve learned over the years.
“I was beating myself up and I didn’t understand the routine, I didn’t understand the technical aspects, and the position is still not there every time and you have to think a lot about it, so it was very fast, but I like to be a professional and I like to do a good job.”
She added on The One Show about Gio, who significantly no longer follows her on Instagram: “Gio is a great teacher – he’s a perfectionist – like me.
“Waltz is so technical and so different from anything I’ve done before.
“I don’t necessarily like the learning process because I lose concentration, and Gio is very ‘again, again, again.’ But I was grateful because I was ready when I finally sang the waltz.
“And as much as I might have wanted to strangle him during rehearsal, I was glad that when I left the ballroom I thought I had done a good waltz.”
Gio’s obsession with winning the Glitterball trophy paid off in 2021 when he reached the final with EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis.
Deaf from birth, Rose was able to learn by watching champion Giovanni perform as he explained that she used “muscle memory” and could pick up the beat of the music and feel the vibrations of the bass.
Rose and Giovanni wowed Strictly viewers week after week, storming to victory beating chef John Whaite and professional Johannes Radebe in the final.
And she sang his praises during their time on the show, and the pair have remained close friends.
Despite mounting allegations of abuse against him, The Sun has revealed that the BBC has pledged to stand by Giovanni.
Bosses arranged a call between the show’s producers and Giovanni’s management where they offered him their full support — and convinced him he belonged on the show.
It came after actress Amanda Abbington left the series in October and demanded footage from training sessions.
She reportedly told friends that their strained relationship left her suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
He has also faced accusations that he has clashed with previous partners, including Ranvir Singh, who has made a formal complaint, singer Faye Tozer and presenters Laura Whitmore, Richie Anderson and Michelle Visage, over his methods at the camp.
However, his former partner, Debbie McGee, has come forward in support of Giovanni.
Debbie, 65, who was on the show in 2017, posted a picture of them online and wrote: “Happy memories.
“Giovanni and I had the best time on Strictly.”
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Nicola appeared in the Christmas special in 2022. StrictlyCredit: BBC
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Former Love Island presenter Laura Whitmore previously said she was ‘heartbroken’ to be paired with GiovanniCredit: BBC Handout
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Giovanni’s former partner, GMB’s Ranvir Singh, filed a formal complaintCredit: PA
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Richie Anderson has unfollowed his former dance partner on InstagramCredit: BBC
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Former Steps singer Faye Tozer is said to have fallen out with the ItalianCredit: BBC
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Giovanni and Rose Ayling-Ellis won Strictly 2021
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Source: HIS Education