A NEW Strictly feud seems to have emerged as Giovanni Pernice and former show star Kevin Clifton unfollow each other on Instagram.
It comes after Giovanni, 33, is being investigated by the BBC after at least three of his former celebrity partners made complaints about him.
Despite a number of Strictly pros throwing their support behind Giovanni, reigning champion Vito Coppola unfollowed Giovanni on social media last month and now Kevin, 41, has followed suit.
It comes as a surprise as Giovanni, who joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2015, appeared alongside Kevin on the BBC dance show for five series’ before he quit in 2020.
The ballroom stars seemed to have a good relationship on the show and in front of the cameras.
But it looks like there may be some underlying tension after it was spotted that Kevin is no longer following the Italian pro and visa-versa.
Giovanni has come under fire recently over his training techniques after a string of co-stars complained about him.
Not long after, Vito appeared to unfollow Giovanni on social media.
Vito, who won the show alongside Ellie Leach last year, is nowhere to be seen on his social media – which could suggest the pair have fallen out.
While The Sun revealed yesterday that Strictly winner Rose Ayling-Ellis has distanced herself from show partner Giovanni amid the investigation.
Rose, 29, and Giovanni made history in 2021 when she became the first deaf contestant to win the Glitterball.
A source said: “Rose is finding the whole situation really tough. She had a really great experience with Gio so is really shocked by it all.
“She of course believes what others are saying but she is just trying to not get involved. She won’t be speaking about it publicly.”
GIO DRAMA
Three of Gio’s former celebrity partners – including Laura Whitmore and Amanda Abbington – have come forward to make formal complaints about the Italian dancer, claiming they were left “traumatised” by the experience of working with him.
It’s since been claimed others may join them as the investigation continues, with the third partner who’s come forward not named.
Gio quit the upcoming series of Strictly ahead of the damning claims made against him.
In his statement on social media, 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,” 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!”
