GIOVANNI Pernice has taken a brutal swipe at Amanda Abbington and Strictly Come Dancing while under investigation by the BBC.
The under-fire pro liked a fan comment on his latest instagram post that slammed both the Sherlock actress and the hit Saturday night show.
The Italian dancer, 33, posted a glam video of him and model girlfriend Molly Brown enjoying their holiday in Madeira to promote the luxury seafront residence they stayed in.
But his legions of fans took the opportunity to support him and make their feelings about both Amanda and the series’ bosses known.
And there was one very critical post that Giovanni liked, which slammed Amanda’s mental health and criticised producers for deciding to pair him up with her.
The fan wrote: “Keep your chin up Gio, unlucky that someone decided to partner you with someone who didn’t have the mental strength to participate in Strictly.
“The frustration I have is that no ‘official’ complaint has been made, it’s all innuendo by one partner when the other two have jumped in the bandwagon. “If” things were so bad why has no one picked up in the last 9 seasons either in the programme itself or during the tour?”
And the rant did not end there, with the fan criticising Amanda and two of Giovanni’s former celebrity partners for taking legal action.
The follower continued: “These partners may have had issues but as far as I can tell did not make anything official but now they have banded together they appear to have hired a £700 an hour lawyer, one thing is for sure my license fee better not be picking up this bill, they can pay it out of their fee for appearing in Strictly. “
They also went on to refer to the initials LW and RS, suggesting they believe the other complainants to be Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh.
“Like I say, let Gio see the accusations and let professionals like Arlene Phillips review. So fed up of AA, LW and RS systematically trying to ruin a professionals reputation.
” Let’s get this sorted once and for all, all started when one woman who was already going through a lot in her personal life couldn’t take the added pressure of professional dancing, which is a great shame.”
Neither Strictly, the BBC nor Giovanni have publicly confirmed the identities of the celebrity partners who have enlisted the legal services of London firm Carter-Ruck.
It comes as Giovanni reportedly asked the BBC to keep cameras rolling during all his training sessions with Amanda during last year’s series, after her “behaviour left him worried”.
The Mail on Sunday claimed Gio put in the request in week two of the competition, with Strictly bosses then being able to review the material and assess the action as necessary.
“Gio found the situation very unsettling so he asked that all sessions were recorded,” a source said.
Giovanni Pernice Strictly scandal timeline
October 2023: Amanda abruptly withdraws from Strictly having already missed one live show. Her departure is announced in a vague BBC statement that ‘wishes her the best’.
Giovanni posts a short message on social media addressing the exit, which read: “Amanda… I am so sad we can’t continue but I am proud of what we achieved and I am sending you so much love.”
Amanda then shares her own farewell statement on Instagram thanking co-stars but failing to mention Gio.
Giovanni’s dad Piero insists there were no signs of a fall out and the pairing could have gone all the way. He praised his son as kind and polite.
November 2023: Giovanni is reportedly gutted by the situation and is considering his Strictly future as questions are raised about his conduct.
January 2024:Amanda’s PTSD diagnosis comes to light and she demands CCTV from rehearsals to prove that Giovanni’s training methods weren’t acceptable.
The BBC issues a statement defending its duty of care to contestants, insisting it takes any claims of wrongdoing very seriously.
The Corporation stands by its man after emergency meeting
March 2024: Giovanni publicly states he has no intention of leaving Strictly in a TV interview with close pal Anton du Beke.
Ranvir Singh and Laura Whitmore enter the picture. Allegedly the two celebs, who were both previously partnered with Giovanni on Strictly, didn’t feel the BBC took their issues with his methods seriously enough.
The pair have a closed meeting with Amanda where tears are said to be shed.
May 2024: We reveal Giovanni is leaving the programme after having talks with show bosses
He leaves the country with girlfriend Molly Brown on holiday
The BBC launches an internal investigation after three complainants instruct lawyers. A source describes it as a “nightmare situation”.
“It was totally unprecedented, but Gio started to see things in Amanda’s behaviour and wanted to ensure he was protected. What a relief he did.”
Giovanni also reportedly sent a celeb partner “an inappropriate video” via WhatsApp ahead of their partnership.
He did not make, commission or appear in the video, but sources claimed the unidentified famous partner found it “intimidating and offensive”.
“The BBC was told the celebrity was shocked and upset to receive it on a WhatsApp message, hours before the couple were meant to be dancing together on live television,” the source added.
