SHOWING UP
Strictly star breaks ranks and publicly backs Giovanni Pernice after Amanda Abbington brands him ‘nasty’
She's had a hard time since speaking out
STRICTLY's Giovanni Pernice has been supported by his former co-star after actress Amanda Abbington branded him "nasty".
The ex-Strictly dancer is being probed by the BBC over his conduct with celeb partners.
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Amanda, who quit Strictly while being partnered up with Gio, labelled him 'nasty' as she spoke about her experience in an interview over the weekend.
Insisting that it was her, not Giovanni, who wanted their practice sessions captured on camera, she said: "I asked for them to be recorded, it was me.
"Giovanni is nasty. He was awful to a few of us, a group of us."
Amanda said the fallout since coming forward has been "awful" and added: "Giovanni’s fans have started trolling me now.
READ MORE ON GIO
"I have had to come off social media and I’m getting death threats."
Hours after her interview appeared online Giovanni was given a boost by Strictly pro Lauren Oakley, who he hired for his stage tour.
She shared a clip of them together alongside Strictly judge Anton Du Beke and captioned it with power pop ballad Unstoppable from Sia.
Although Lauren has had only one celebrity partner on the main series of Strictly - this being Channel 4 News host Krishnan Guru-Murthy - she was also part of the wider group of professionals in 2022.
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She missed the Strictly live tour as she seemingly gave her backing to Giovanni, by starring on his summer stage tour with Anton.
STAYING SILENT?
Fans of the BBC series are now convinced the broadcaster has banned its stars from speaking out.
It came after the majority of the show's biggest performers have stayed silent.
One fan has now mused on : "I could be wrong, but maybe the other pros and judges are not allowed to comment/like because as BBC employees, they have to be seen to be impartial."
CLAP BACK
Giovanni has been defiant in his attempts to clear his name.
In a cutting recent statement on social media, he wrote: "To my dear fans, 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.
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"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. Thank you all once again for your continued love and support!"
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