Fresh blow to Giovanni Pernice as he’s slammed by bullying charity boss after speaking out on Strictly probe

GIOVANNI Pernice has been slammed by an anti-bullying foundation aft speaking retired connected a BBC probe into his behaviour connected Strictly.

Giovanni broke his soundlessness on ITV's Lorraine connected Tuesday and insisted helium is "strict" but "not a bully" aft his erstwhile personage spouse Amanda Abbington made allegations against him.

The nonrecreational dancer besides denied ever clashing with the histrion successful the rehearsal room, contempt her claims that helium made violative comments towards her.

The probe upheld six of Amanda's complaints, with sources saying those upheld related to verbal bullying and harassment.

But the astir superior allegations of carnal aggression were not upheld.

Speaking connected Shelagh Fogarty's LBC amusement today, Christine Pratt, the laminitis of the National Bullying helpline, said: "What I person seen implicit the past mates of days, is what Giovanni is present saying publicly. And that concerns me.

"We've got 2 precise talented radical present and some are precise good liked by the public, truthful it is simply a precise emotive subject.

"I'm precise atrocious this is happening, and I consciousness for some of them. Particularly Amanda. She has taken this precise personally and she's precise distressed.

"That, coupled with what Giovanni is saying astatine the moment, is simply a immense reddish flag. It troubles me."

Christine continued: "In the workplace, determination are 2 precise almighty words. Capability and conduct.

"Someone tin beryllium precise bully astatine dancing, oregon moving a business, oregon what they tin do. They tin beryllium the best. But we're not talking astir his capableness oregon skill, we're talking astir his conduct.

"The BBC has said that helium breached their anti-bullying and harassment argumentation connected six counts. But helium is insisting that helium is not a bully, and that troubles me.

"I don't judge Giovanni is pausing and thinking. I bash not cognize who is advising him close now. But his nationalist statements bash occupation maine immensley. I deliberation helium believes that bullying doesn't person to beryllium carnal to beryllium serious. He is illuding to that.

"He needs training, helium needs coaching. There are boundaries, and if you spell beyond those and the idiosyncratic you are grooming is struggling, you person to bespeak connected what it is you are doing.

"Giovanni his oculus connected the trophy, helium has said helium volition proceed the mode helium has been teaching. That is simply a monolithic reddish flag."

She added: "I'm not present to justice him, I'd similar him to get immoderate enactment and immoderate help. To recognize however helium tin get that trophy without destroying people."

The Sun has contacted a typical for Giovanni for comment.

Giovanni told Christine Lampard connected ITV's Lorraine connected Tuesday: "The probe didn’t find maine a bully.

"Bully is simply a large word, there’s a large quality betwixt bullying and caring astir what you do."

Sherlock prima Amanda, 50, discontinue Strictly Come Dancing past twelvemonth and aboriginal made a ceremonial ailment astir Giovanni on with 3 of his erstwhile creation partners.

When asked if helium wanted to accidental "sorry" to Amanda, Gio said helium would like to person a cupful of beverage with her and sermon what happened betwixt them successful a civilian way.

ITV big Christine, whose person and Lorraine co-star Ranvir Singh besides complained astir Giovanni’s conduct, told him: "Amanda sat successful this workplace and described to america however it felt similar bullying, to beryllium successful the rehearsal country with you.

Giovanni replied: "It’s successful the nationalist domain the information I’m a strict teacher. If you privation to execute greatness, I deliberation this is the close way."

Following his interview, a spokesperson for Amanda said: "Mr Pernice’s assertion that ‘everything successful the rehearsal country worked perfectly’ is mendacious and delusional, and underlines the toxic civilization Ms Abbington endured connected the show."

MOVING ON

Giovanni is presently taking portion successful Italy's mentation of Strictly Come Dancing.

He relocated to Italy arsenic Amanda spoke retired astir her ordeal connected Newsnight pursuing the BBC investigation.

She claimed her nightmare rehearsals with Gio got truthful atrocious she was really relieved erstwhile a crab scare meant she could discontinue the show.

The BBC apologised to the histrion arsenic she revealed her acquisition with him was “morbid and toxic".

Meanwhile, Giovanni is owed to marque a little instrumentality to Strictly successful a one-off peculiar celebrating the show's 20 years connected screen.

In December's day special, helium volition look successful footage from 2021 dancing with EastEnders prima Rose Ayling-Ellis, who was the archetypal deaf victor of Strictly Come Dancing.