A SECOND TV show starring Strictly’s Giovanni Pernice has been put on ice while his backstage behaviour is under investigation.
The 33-year-old, who faces allegations over his training techniques on the dance show, filmed Channel 4’s Celebrity Hunted a year ago, but its air date has been postponed indefinitely.
It follows reports last week that a third series of his BBC travel show, Anton & Giovanni’s Adventures, alongside Strictly judge Anton Du Beke, was also on hold.
A TV insider said: “This will be gutting for Gio, as he’s seen himself get increasing amounts of work beyond the dance show.
“It’s particularly galling as Celebrity Hunted is a programme designed as a fundraising and awareness raising vehicle for their Stand Up 2 Cancer appeal.
“That’s something he very much wanted to be a part of, so it is a huge disappointment to know it probably won’t see the light of day while the investigation is ongoing.”
Sicilian Giovanni has quit Strictly and The Sun revealed last week that the BBC was investigating complaints from several former dance partners.
He vehemently denies any wrongdoing.
Filming for Celebrity Hunted took place last May and saw him pair up with fellow Strictly pro Kai Widdrington.
On the reality show, pairs of celebrities go on the run as they try to avoid hunters who are surveillance experts.
He and partner Kai were up against pals Christine McGuinness and Duncan James, soap stars Danielle Harold and Kimberly Hart-Simpson as well as husband and wife duo Denise Welch and Lincoln Townley.
In 2022 and 2023, Celebrity Hunted was aired around March on Channel 4 and followers expected it to drop around the same time this year.
Channel 4 declined to comment.
