Savannah Black / 11 July 2024 / Categories: People, Creative, Opinions

Giovanni Pernice

Did he actually do anything wrong?

I have been a fan of Giovanni Pernice’s since he joined Strictly Come Dancing 10 years ago. Am I super fan my friends and family would probably say yes. I have never met Giovanni personally nor do I know anyone who knows him so like everyone else I am trying to read between the lines, watch what the parties involved do and try and find the truth about what it is alleged Giovanni has actually done.

My first thought is Strictly is a very tough competitive environment and as someone who has danced to a pretty high level and taught myself I have a different perspective on the very tough task the professional dancers have of getting their I am sure scared to death celebrity out on the floor.

Giovanni Pernice is not just a world championship level dancer and performer but also a very handsome and charming red blooded Italian male who is chased all over by women happy to give anything for a moment being swung around the floor by him so there are quite a few different dynamics and different egos possibly at play.

For me the key witnesses are Shirley Ballas head judge, eyes and ears on everything, a no nonsense northerner who I am confident would not stand for any shenanigans or unprofessional behaviour in the training room, if it was going on people would be talking and she would know about it. The second key witness is Rose Ayling Ellis who lifted the glitter ball in spectacular fashion in 2022 citing Giovanni’s brilliance and creativity as a teacher that got her into the winning position.

I think my favourite couple and favourite winner to date.

I want to be the kind of woman who listens to other women when they speak out about mistreatment, mysogeny or abuse, however Amanda Abbington didn’t speak out initially. I follow her on Instagram and I remember the post showing dancing shoes on a window ledge. The text was brief and a bit vague but there was no mention of anything inappropriate happening. She just seemed gutted she’d hurt herself too badly to continue was my take. Her departure was explained by ill health, and then later a mental health crisis explained by Giovannis strict and cruel teaching regimes.

I do know from personal experience dealing with the BBC when they want a certain outcome no amount of logical reasoning or presentation of facts can move the mountain. The machine is extremely powerful and even a star as popular as Giovanni Pernice, when the public’s appetite has a taste for scalps, me too movement still influencing the media baying for blood.

We all know men with power can’t always be trusted with it but in this case, Giovanni has had a lot of partners who are not only not supporting the claims of abuse but actively speaking out in his defence.

I think the BBC need better corroboration than strictly stars not partnered with Giovanni to convince me he has done more wrong than being a tough task master. Innocent until proven guilty for me. If something unfair and inappropriate did happen to Amanda Abbington, who did seem like she was having the best time with the partner she chose, the truth will always prevail in the end.