Strictly’s future under threat as Giovanni Pernice storm leaves show facing biggest crisis in glittering 20-year history
STRICTLY’S future is under threat as the Giovanni Pernice storm leaves the show facing the biggest crisis in its glittering 20- year history.
For the first time, The Sun can today lift the lid on allegations being launched by the pro dancer and some of his former celebrity partners.
The parties at the centre of the toxic fallout are compiling rival dossiers amid a full-on legal war — and will hand it over to the BBC via their £700-an-hour lawyers.
A group of ex-dance partners, represented by Carter Ruck, allegedly have images to back claims of injury.
Gio, who is working with Schillings, is expected to supply transcripts which he says prove he acted fairly.
Whatever happens, the talons are out. We can reveal that at least two of Gio’s dance partners accuse him of “brutal” training methods that left them “black and blue”.
They claim to have photographic evidence of their injuries — ones which allegedly go well above and beyond the “occupational hazards” of dancing, which Gio’s friends have cited.
We can also reveal the women believe another ex-dance partner of Gio — US singer Michelle Visage — could help their case, based on her own alleged treatment.
‘They are incredibly brave in taking a stand’
In turn, Sicilian Gio, 33, is understood to have audio transcripts of at least one partner apologising to him for her “difficult behaviour”.
His lawyers believe this will prove he was not the sole protagonist.
They are also likely to include PDF files of gushing post-exit interviews conducted with partners, saying they loved their time on Strictly, and were sad to be leaving.
A source told The Sun last night: “This is all-out war. These women — and there are more in conversations with Carter Ruck — are being incredibly brave in taking a stand.
“Despite this, they are getting enormous stick from Gio’s loyal fans, claiming they are savagely out to end a man’s career, and effectively being snowflakes.
“This is unheard of in a supposedly wholesome competition.
“There are allegedly photos of them with black and blue limbs which are expected to form part of their lawyer’s dossier of evidence.
“Giovanni also allegedly sent one or two deeply unpleasant messages to at least two women which they, again, have a record of.
“The whole situation is deeply unpleasant, and the women fear they risk losing other lucrative BBC contracts if they speak out.
“Despite this, they are pressing ahead because they feel it is the right thing to do — and to prevent anyone else facing anything similar on such a loved family show.”
The BBC has yet to comment publicly on the unfolding scandal.
The Corporation has held a series of internal meetings about how to prevent a similar crisis from hitting the Bafta-winning show again.
Giovanni allegedly sent one or two deeply unpleasant messages to at least two women which they have a record of
A source, today
Critically, it is also analysing its own handling of Gio, given several celebrities have previously gone on the record saying they found him difficult to work with.
Gio, like all the dancers, is employed as a freelancer so technically this is not a matter for Human Resources.
Despite this, it seems likely BBC bosses will completely overhaul their duty-of-care procedures — including the introduction of mandatory psychological testing for all future celebrities.
All rehearsals are now likely to be filmed and monitored, with a duty-of-care counsellor on site at all times.
Other measures are still being discussed, including offering women less risqué dresses.
We can also reveal that at least three women, one of whom has yet to be named officially, will claim they asked execs for a chaperone during training but were denied.
Ex-EastEnders star, deaf actress Rose Ayling-Ellis, who won with Gio in 2021, is the only star to have been given a chaperone — an interpreter.
She has not made a formal complaint as yet.
However, she too has now seemingly distanced herself from Gio.
A source said: “Rose is just trying to not get involved. She won’t be speaking about it publicly.”
Michelle Visage, whose representatives have not responded to requests for comment, previously supported Gio, even attending his Let Me Entertain You tour.
But sources allege she also had a more problematic relationship with the pro than previously realised.
Much of Giovanni’s defence has been about the “culture clash” — his fiery Sicilian nature being very different to that of more restrained, buttoned-up Britons.
My view
TEN days ago, Giovanni Pernice had the showbiz world at his feet.
Today, he stands to lose it all.
Make no mistake, the allegations against him – if proven correct – are potentially career-ending.
The women at the heart of this legal case clearly believe they, well, have a case.
They believe they are taking a stand for women everywhere – their claims must be heard, and taken seriously.
They also stand to lose a lot should the BBC rule in favour of their star dancer.
It’s imperative now that the BBC takes this unfolding crisis seriously.
An independent investigator must also be used to go through the “damning dossiers” of evidence.
If Giovanni is cleared of all wrongdoing, then he, too, must be publicly exonerated.
Finally, he can begin work on the plethora of “exciting projects” his team assure us are in the pipeline.
Whatever happens, these are uncharted waters for the BBC and its flagship show; they must navigate them well.
His friends have stuck rigidly by the line that he is merely a “taskmaster” and nothing more.
Another former partner Debbie McGee staunchly continues to back him — as has judge Shirley Ballas.
Intriguingly, though, none of his fellow pros have come out in defence of their colleague.
For his part, Gio and his pals are furious about what he sees as a witch-hunt.
A friend said: “As far as Gio is concerned, this is insidious cancel culture at its worst.
“He feels that he has become an easy target and that his success on the show — four finals, and a Glitterball trophy — are being overlooked in a bid to end his career.
This is all-out war. The situation is deeply unpleasant
A source, today
“He’s made no secret of the fact he is hugely competitive, and wants to win at all costs.
“He believes bruising and mild injuries and niggles happen all the time in the world of dancing, and he’s done nothing wrong.
“Some of the people who have complained still have their Strictly pictures all over Instagram so their experiences couldn’t have been that harrowing.
“He has documented evidence of his own of some of his interactions with these celebs, and these testify to the fact the relationships were perfectly professional and above board. He wants to clear his name.”
Steps singer Faye Tozer, Gio’s dance partner in 2018, has not publicly commented to date.
But she previously said she was in “agony” and “covered in bruises” after working with the “determined” star.
We can reveal another celebrity, has told the claimants she was left on the floor “writhing in agony” while Gio looked on.
Undoubtedly, these are all troubling claims — and none faced by any other dancer in the show’s illustrious history.
After exiting in 2016, Laura Whitmore said the experience “left her broken”, and that she “cried every day” after being paired with Gio.
She admitted dancing with him made her feel “extremely uncomfortable” — partly because he had previously dated her friend Georgia May Foote.
Laura did not pay tribute to Gio in her exit speech. His most recent dance partner, actress Amanda Abbington, didn’t either.
Sherlock star Amanda, the catalyst for all these claims, revealed that competing on Strictly left her with mild PTSD.
She quit midway through the last series citing medical reasons.
Gio has vehemently denied the allegations to date, issuing a statement last weekend refuting any suggestion of bad behaviour.
He said: “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.”
‘The online abuse is taking its toll’
Another Strictly winner, Stacey Dooley, waded into the row earlier in the week.
She said: “What I would say, more broadly, is I hope all of the women involved are OK.
“And I think, actually, it’s separate from this but in my personal experience, I think it’s a slippery slope not to believe women when they come forward and say certain things. But I just hope they’re OK.”
A source said tonight: “Frankly, no, these women are not OK.
“They are getting trolled online, and the abuse is taking its toll.
“Not only this, but they are all forking out thousands of pounds in legal fees, with no assurances that their claims will be successful.
“Another claim is that they asked the BBC for chaperones once they realised the physical toll training was taking, but were refused.
“They feel insulted that the BBC haven’t released any sort of supportive statement, confirming they are taking the allegations seriously.
[These women] are getting trolled online, and the abuse is taking its toll
A source
“They feel no lessons have been learned about other high-profile scandals involving powerful men.
“At present they feel it looks like they are taking the side of a man over vulnerable women.”
Yesterday Gio was seen leaving his London home with a binbag of clobber, as girlfriend Molly Brown stepped out of the pad with a gold ring on her left hand.
The Sun revealed last week that he was quitting Strictly.
The BBC had reportedly offered him a new contract.
It is understood Gio was informed of its investigation and decided to leave to pursue several “exciting projects”.
Schillings declined to comment.