GIOVANNI Pernice’s former Strictly Come Dancing partner Laura Whitmore has appeared to take a new swipe at the under-fire pro.
It’s no secret that there is no love lost between the pair, with Laura admitting the Italian dancer made her “cry every day” when they were paired together on the 2016 series.
And Laura is one of three former celebrity partners of Gio that have made complaints against him.
Laura, Amanda Abbington– who pulled out of last year’s competition after clashing with Giovanni – and another unnamed star contacted a top London law firm, Carter Ruck.
‘Practice what you preach’
The £700-an-hour legal firm then took “numerous serious complaints” about the professional dancer, 33, to the BBC.
And in the wake of Giovanni quitting the show, Laura took to her social media today to share a telling post which appeared to give a nod to the drama.
Sharing a snap of her strutting her stuff in a skirt suit, she captioned it “standing on business“.
She then later re-shared the post on her Instagram stories and explained more about what the caption meant.
Laura wrote: “‘Standing on business‘, according to Urban Dictionary, means ‘Take care of your responsibilities, practice what you preach, or show that you mean what you say/ you can back up your claims.”
The complaints bombshell comes just a day after The Sun revealed Gio had sensationally quit the show.
Persephone Bridgman Baker, at London-based Carter-Ruck, said last night: “There have been numerous serious complaints made to the BBC who are now in the process of evidence gathering.
“As it is still an ongoing matter no further comment can be made at this stage.”
(@thewhitmore)Earlier this year, Amanda reportedly demanded rehearsal footage from BBC bosses amid claims she was unhappy with how she was treated backstage.
The BBC is now investigating Giovanni in the wake of the complaints, after previously standing by him.
Giovanni hits back
Meanwhile, the dancer has vowed to clear his name in a statement.
Taking to social media last night, he wrote: “To my dear fans, 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.
“Thank you all once again for your continued love and support!”
The Sun on Sunday reported today that Amanda felt Giovanni was “abrasive” to her when the cameras were off.
She is said to have told pals she was uncomfortable with his strict teaching methods.
‘She had a terrible experience’
A source said: “Giovanni had a tough training method. Amanda would be bruised. 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.
Giovanni's statement in full
“Dear my 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.
“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! Giovanni.”
“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.
“Runners would check in on the training weekly and she would regularly be seen crying and feeling very sad and despondent.
“She desperately wanted it to work but invariably it would break down. An urgent medical condition eventually allowed her to quit.”
While all of Gio’s former celeb partners have been invited to speak at the BBC probe, it is unknown who will.
Gio will get his chance to have his say during the meeting too.
He is currently overseas holidaying with his model girlfriend Molly Brown.
Yesterday, the pair were snapped kissing in the street on the island of Madeira.
He declined to comment when he was approached by The Sun on Sunday.
