STRICTLY’s future is in jeopardy as Giovanni Pernice’s storm leaves the series facing the biggest crisis in its glittering 20-year history.
For the first time, The Sun can today dismiss the allegations brought by the professional dancer and some of his former celebrity partners.
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Giovanni Pernice – pictured outside his London home – faces his legal battle with former celebrity partners over Strictly going nuclear Credit: MJ / Click News & Media
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He is at the center of a major legal battle, with celebrities such as Laura Whitmore making serious allegations about his behaviorCredit: Jay Brooks / BBC / PA Wire
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Gio was spotted carrying a garbage bag outside his home in LondonCredit: MJ / Click News and Media
The parties at the center of the toxic fallout are drawing up rival dossiers amid a full-blown legal battle — and will hand them over to the BBC through their £700-an-hour lawyers.
A group of former dance partners, represented by Carter Ruck, reportedly have pictures to back up the injury claims.
Gio, who works with Schillings, is expected to provide transcripts that he says prove he acted fairly.
Whatever happens, the claws are out. We can reveal that at least two of Gio’s dance partners are accusing him of “brutal” training methods that left them “black and blue”.
READ MORE ABOUT GIOVANNI PERNICE
They claim to have photographic evidence of their injuries — ones that allegedly far exceed the “occupational hazards” of dancing, cited by Gio’s friends.
We can also reveal that the women believe another of Gio’s former dance partners — American singer Michelle Visage — could help their case, based on her own alleged treatment.
‘They are incredibly brave in taking a stand’
On the other hand, Sicilian Gio, 33, is believed to have audio transcripts of at least one female partner apologizing to him for his “difficult behaviour”.
His lawyers believe that this will prove that he was not the only protagonist.
They are also likely to include PDF files of post-date interviews with the partners, saying they loved their time on Strictly and were sad to leave.
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A source told The Sun last night: “This is all-out war. These women – and there are more in the conversation with Carter Rucka – are incredibly brave in taking a stand.
“However, they are getting huge stick from Gio’s loyal fans, claiming they are savagely out to end someone’s career, and they are actually fluff.
“This is unheard of in a supposedly healthy competition.
“There are reportedly photos of them with black and blue limbs that are expected to be part of their lawyer’s evidence file.
“Giovanni is also alleged to have sent one or two deeply unpleasant messages to at least two women which, again, they have a record of.”
“The whole situation is deeply embarrassing and women fear they risk losing other lucrative BBC contracts if they speak out.
“Nevertheless, they’re pushing forward because they feel it’s the right thing to do – and to prevent anyone else from having to deal with something similar on such a beloved family show.”
The BBC has yet to publicly comment on the unfolding scandal.
The corporation held a series of internal meetings on how to prevent a similar crisis from hitting the Bafta-winning show again.
Giovanni allegedly sent one or two very unpleasant messages to at least two women that they have a record of
Source, today
Critically, he also analyzes his own handling of Gio, given that several celebrities have previously stated that they found him difficult to work with.
Gio, like all dancers, is employed as a freelancer, so technically this is not an HR issue.
Despite this, it seems likely that BBC bosses will completely overhaul their due diligence procedures – including introducing mandatory psychological testing for all would-be celebrities.
All rehearsals are now likely to be recorded and monitored, and an on-call counselor will be on site at all times.
Other measures are still under discussion, including offering women less risky dresses.
We can also reveal that at least three women, one of whom has yet to be officially named, will claim they asked executives for escorts during training sessions but were turned down.
Former EastEnders star, deaf actress Rose Ayling-Ellis, who won with Gia in 2021, is the only star to get a companion — an interpreter.
She has not yet formally appealed.
But now she too seems to have distanced herself from Gio.
A source said: “Rose is just trying not to get involved. He won’t talk about it publicly.”
Michelle Visage, whose representatives did not respond to requests for comment, has previously supported Gio, even attending his Let Me Entertain You tour.
But sources claim that she also had a more troubled relationship with a professional than previously thought.
Much of Giovanni’s defense was about a “culture clash” – his fiery Sicilian nature was very different to that of the more reserved, buttoned-up Brits.
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Girl Molly Brown came out with a gold ring on her left hand Credit: MJ
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Laura Whitmore said she was left ‘broken’ after partnering with Gia in 2016 Credit: BBC
My view
TEN days ago, Giovanni Pernice put the world of variety under his feet.
He will lose everything today.
Make no mistake, the allegations against him – if proven true – could be career-ending.
The women at the center of this legal case clearly believe they have a case.
They believe they are taking a stand for women everywhere – their claims must be heard and taken seriously.
They also stand to lose a lot if the BBC rules in favor of their star dancer.
It is now imperative that the BBC takes this developing crisis seriously.
An independent investigator must also be hired to go through the “damned files” of evidence.
If Giovanni is acquitted of all wrongdoing, then he too must be acquitted publicly.
Finally, he can start work on a slew of “exciting projects” that his team assures us are in the pipeline.
Whatever happens, these are uncharted waters for the BBC and its flagship show; they have to manage them well.
From Clemmie Moodie
His friends held fast to the claim that he was only “the chief” and nothing more.
Another former partner, Debbie McGee, strongly supports him – as does Judge Shirley Ballas.
Intriguingly, however, none of his fellow professionals came to their colleague’s defense.
For his part, Gio and his friends are furious at what he sees as a witch hunt.
A friend said: “As far as Gio is concerned, this is insidious cancellation culture at its worst.
“He feels he has become an easy target and his success on the show – four finals and the Glitterball trophy – is being overlooked in an attempt to end his career.
This is an all-out war. The situation is deeply unpleasant
Source, today
“He did not hide the fact that he is very competitive and wants to win at any cost.
“He believes that bruises, minor injuries and embarrassments happen all the time in the dance world and that he has done nothing wrong.
“Some of the people who complained still have their Strictly pictures all over Instagram so their experiences couldn’t have been that harrowing.
“He has his own documented evidence of some of his interactions with these celebrities, and they testify to the fact that the relationships were perfectly professional and above board. He wants to clear his name.”
Steps singer Faye Tozer, Gio’s dance partner in 2018, has not made a public statement to date.
But she previously said she was in “agony” and “covered in bruises” after working with the “resolute” star.
We can reveal another celebrity, she told prosecutors, was left on the floor “squirming in agony” as Gio looked on.
Undoubtedly, these are all troubling claims — and none that any other dancer in the show’s illustrious history has faced.
After leaving in 2016, Laura Whitmore said the experience “left her broken” and that she “cried every day” after being paired with Gia.
She admitted that dancing with him made her feel “extremely uncomfortable” – partly because he had previously dated her friend Georgia May Foote.
Laura did not pay tribute to Gio in her exit speech. Neither did his latest dance partner, actress Amanda Abbington.
Sherlock star Amanda, the catalyst behind all these claims, has revealed that competing on Strictly left her with mild PTSD.
She dropped out in the middle of the last series citing medical reasons.
Gio has vehemently denied the allegations to this day, issuing a statement last weekend denying any suggestion of misconduct.
He said: “I of course reject any suggestion of abusive or threatening behavior and look forward to clearing my name.
“Those who have followed my journey on Strictly Come Dancing over the last decade will know that I am passionate and competitive.
“No one is more ambitious for their dance partners than I am. I always tried to help them be better dancers.
“This has always come from love and the desire to win – for me and my dance partners.”
‘Online bullying takes its toll’
Another Strictly winner, Stacey Dooley, joined the ranks earlier this week.
She said: “What I would say, more broadly, is that I hope all the women involved are OK.
“And I think, actually, it’s separate from this, but in my personal experience, I think it’s a slippery slope to not believe women when they come forward and say certain things. But I just hope they’re okay.”
A source said tonight: “Frankly speaking, no, these women are not OK.
“On the Internet, they are controlled, and abuse takes its toll.
“Not only that, but they are all forking out thousands of pounds in legal fees, with no guarantees that their claims will be successful.
“Another claim is that they asked the BBC for chaperones after realizing the physical toll of training, but were turned down.
“They feel aggrieved that the BBC has not released any statement of support, confirming that they take the allegations seriously.
[These women] are being controlled online, and bullying is taking its toll
Source
“They feel they have not learned the lessons of other high-profile scandals involving powerful people.
“Right now they feel it looks like they’re taking the side of men over vulnerable women.”
Yesterday, Gio was seen leaving his home in London with a bag of rubbish, while girlfriend Molly Brown left the hall with a gold ring on her left hand.
The Sun revealed last week that he was leaving Strictly.
The BBC has reportedly offered him a new contract.
It is understood Gio has been informed of the investigation and has decided to leave to pursue several “exciting projects”.
Schillings declined to comment.
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Gio infamously fell out with his latest partner, Sherlock star Amanda AbbingtonCredit: Instagram / Giovanni Pernice
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