Giovanni Pernice looks downcast after it’s revealed Strictly star is spending hundreds on early morning casino visits
STRICTLY Come Dancing’s Giovanni Pernice was spotted looking glum in London.
Giovanni, 33, is currently being investigated by the BBC after a series of complaints were made against him by former dance partners.
The Sun revealed that he has been spending up to £1,000 in casinos in West London.
Wearing a pair of Dolce & Gabbana tracksuit bottoms and a loose-fitting white t-shirt, he strolled down a high street.
Clearly feeling patriotic, his t-shirt had “Made in Italy” written across the chest.
He also had an Italian flag printed across his white trainers.
This comes after Giovanni was spotted having a cigarette outside Silver Time casino, where he is a regular punter on Monday.
He spent nearly an hour inside, pumping cash into his favourite gambling machines, before heading a few doors down to Admiral Casino.
Sources told The Sun that Gio, who is at the centre of a bullying probe on the BBC dance show, spends hundreds of pounds in Silver Time in West London, and that he popped in three times last week.
An insider said: “Giovanni comes in quite often and at all times of the day, not just the morning.
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”.
“He’d not been seen for a while but came in three times last week.
“He was spending up to £300 a time and he always plays on the same four fruit machines, betting £2 a spin.
“Sometimes he loses, but he wins too. He never gets angry when he’s gambling and he’s always perfectly polite.
“Sometimes he’ll just come in to have a coffee and a quick bet, then go.”
Gio vehemently denies the bullying allegations against him and has vowed to clear his name.
Former dance partner, actress Amanda Abbington, 50, said she was diagnosed with PTSD after she was paired with him last year.
Ex-Love Island host Laura Whitmore, 39, is also contributing to the probe
Two ex-Met cops are helping the BBC investigate the claims.
Gio has been backed by the show’s head judge Shirley Ballas, 63. She revealed he was attending a party of hers tomorrow and said: “I have known Giovanni for ten years.
“He has always been, to me — and I will make that clear — a perfect gentleman.”
Shirley added: “My feeling for Giovanni is, let them do this investigation and the truth will come out. So we don’t judge anybody until I know absolutely, 100 per cent.”
A rep for Gio was approached for comment about the visits to the amusement centres.