ANT McPartlin’s ex Lisa Armstrong has sent support to Strictly Come Dancing’s under-fire star, Giovanni Pernice.
The controversial professional dancer, who is being investigated by the BBC after at least three of his former celebrity partners made complaints about him, broke his silence last night in a statement.
Addressing his fans on instagram, he wrote: “To my dear fans,
“You will be as surprised as I am that allegations have been made about my dance teaching methods in the media this week.
“Of course, I reject any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour, and I 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 my dance partners than me.”
He continued: “I have always striven to help them be the very best dancers they can be. This has always come from a place of love and wanting to win – for me and my dance partners.
“Thank you all once again for your continued love and support!”
The post has already racked up over 77,000 likes – and one of them is from Lisa.
Lisa works on Strictly as head of make-up, so knows Giovanni behind the scenes and has worked with him for years.
Lisa – who is reportedly struggling in the wake of her ex Ant becoming a dad for the first time, did not add a comment but clicked on the ‘heart’ to show her support.
Another Strictly star who also liked the post was former champion Jamie Laing, who finished as runner up in the 2020 series.
Giovanni has currently escaped the storm by holiday in Madeira with his girlfriend Molly Brown.
The pair were snapped kissing in the street during a romantic stroll together.
Giovanni declined to comment when approached by The Sun on Sunday while staying on the Portuguese island.
He told our reporter: “You won’t get any quotes from me, sorry.
“I’m on holiday right now. I’m not gonna give any comments.”
It comes amid claims Giovanni ‘stamped on Amanda Abbington’s foot’ while paired with her on the BBC competition last year.
The Sun revealed that the actress, 52, told pals at the time she felt he was “abrasive” during rehearsals.
A show source told The Sun on Sunday: “Giovanni had a tough training method. Amanda would be bruised.”
The source continued: “Amanda had a terrible experience with Gio.
“She felt his behaviour was bullying and abrasive. She would be in tears as communication between them broke down. She tried every avenue to try and make it work.
“There would be crisis talks every Friday after producers watched back the video footage of their rehearsals but it would always end up toxic again by the end of the following week.
Earlier this week, The Sun told how at least three former celebrity dance partners had raised complaints to London-based legal firm Carter-Ruck.
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.
The firm then wrote to the BBC.
One of them complainants is TV’s Laura Whitmore, Gio’s partner in 2016, and she will talk to the BBC investigation in person in the coming weeks.
Persephone Bridgman Baker, at Carter-Ruck, said: “There have been numerous serious complaints made to the BBC who are now in the process of evidence gathering.”
