UNDER-fire dancer Giovanni Pernice is living la dolce vita on a sunny Portuguese island amid his Strictly “misconduct” storm.
The Italian, 33, looked relaxed as he puffed a cig while at a bar with girlfriend Molly Brown, 24, and two pals yesterday.
After leaving, the couple held hands before sharing a passionate kiss in the sunshine.
When asked if he felt sad about leaving the BBC dance show or the investigation, Giovanni – in a white top, shorts and sunglasses – told The Sun on Sunday: “You won’t get any quotes from me, sorry.
“I’m on holiday right now.
“I’m not gonna give any comments.
“Enjoy your travel back. Ciao, mate.”
Giovanni was also spotted cruising along the beautiful coast of Madeira in a Mini Cooper convertible with blonde Molly by his side on Friday.
The pair had snaps taken to capture their getaway – which comes days after a jaunt to Dubai, where they stayed in the £2,500-a-night Atlantis The Royal hotel.
They have been staying at a modern three-storey villa high in the hills of Madeira, with stunning views of the coast below.
There, Giovanni and Molly have been spotted diving in the swimming pool, enjoying a barbecue and toasting their trip with champagne on Friday – just hours after news broke that three of Giovanni’s former dance partners made “serious complaints” about his behaviour.
An onlooker said: “Gio seems to be having the time of his life with his beautiful girlfriend by his side.
“They haven’t been able to keep their hands off each other.
“At one point, Gio and Molly were drinking glasses of champers and having plenty of pictures taken to capture their romantic break.
“Strictly and the BBC probe seem to be the last things on his mind at the moment.”
Out but scandal not over
By Leo McKinstry
STRICTLY star Giovanni Pernice has long been one of the golden boys of the BBC.
Ever since he first graced our screens in 2015, he has been a firm favourite with the show’s fans and the corporation’s management.
With his Latin looks, dazzling moves and charisma, the Sicilian stallion made the ratings soar and viewers swoon.
But now, engulfed by serious complaints about his behaviour towards celebrity partners in the show, he has gone from golden boy to Tin Man.
He denies the claims, saying his methods stem from being a “100 per cent perfectionist”.
Despite this, Gio sensationally quit the show on Friday.
But his departure may not be enough to stop an explosive controversy if it becomes clear that the broadcaster was well aware of the concerns but disregarded them, despite having a duty of care to contestants.
The BBC has now launched an investigation.
But having stood by Gio for so long and apparently even having offered him a new contract, this move smacks of desperate, face-saving cynicism.
For all the corporation’s posturing about equality and zero tolerance of bullying, was the impulse in this saga to protect the BBC’s name rather than oppressed women?
If so, it may prove to be a flawed strategy that could now result in the biggest scandal in the show’s 20-year history