Giovanni Pernice finally addresses Amanda Abbington ‘feud’ following string of shocking claims-Emily Bashforth-Entertainment – Metro

Giovanni Pernice and Amanda Abbington bowed out of Strictly Come Dancing early, with her citing ‘personal reasons’ at the time (Picture: BBC)

Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni Pernice has finally addressed his alleged feud with former co-star Amanda Abbington.

The Sherlock actress famously quit the BBC dance competition mid-way through the last series, citing ‘personal reasons’ at the time.

What followed, however, were a series of shocking claims from Amanda’s camp, with reports surfacing that her Strictly experience left her with PTSD.

Now, Giovanni has commented for the first time since speculation of a rift arose, which came when Amanda failed to single him out or mention her pro partner at all in her exit Instagram post.

It was also claimed that Giovanni was ‘annoyed’ following Amanda’s exit and that he heard about it from a producer, hours before the news broke to the world.

At the time, Metro.co.uk contacted Giovanni’s representatives, who said: ‘This story is nonsense.’

The Italian pro said it’s a ‘shame’ how things have ended up (Picture: PA)

This week, speaking on The Mirror’s Invite Only podcast alongside friend and Strictly judge Anton Du Beke, Giovanni said: ‘It’s a shame because, in my opinion, [Amanda] could have gone all the way.’

Anton, 57, added: ‘I thought you and Amanda were marvellous.’

‘I thought you were terrific,’ he praised, comparing her talents to those of 2019 winner Kelvin Fletcher.

Following accusations made against his teaching style, Giovanni admitted that was a ‘perfectionist’, but did not use the word ‘militant’, as has been reported.

He added that his tough training regimes came from a ‘perspective of caring’, believing all pro dancers and choreographers are the same.

‘In every single part of the world, if you’re a professional dancer on one of these shows, you have to get these people looking the best they can on Saturday night,’ he said.

‘And if we have good scores at the end, I do look back and say, “I’ve done a great job.”

Amanda has said her time on Strictly left her with PTSD (Picture: PA)

Giovanni admitted to being a ‘perfectionist’ with his teaching style (Picture: PA)

‘But we all care about our partners and we want that for them every single week; to look great on a Saturday.’

The Italian star continued: ‘There’s no specific way that you are, or have to be with your celebrity.

‘You make the most of their strengths so the only thing that’s constant is the fact that you have to do a show on Saturday night.’ 

Giovanni’s name was noticeably absent from Amanda’s thank you spiel when she decided to depart Strictly.

She wrote on Instagram at the time that the decision had not come ‘easily or lightly’.

‘It is with deepest regret that I had to leave Strictly. I did not come to this decision easily or lightly but for personal reasons I am unable to continue… I’m so sad that I am unable to go any further,’ she penned.

She later said to The Sun: ‘I was diagnosed with mild PTSD after Strictly for several reasons and I told a few people about that, in the utmost confidence, among other things that were happening in my life at the time both professionally and personally.’

At one point, Giovani and Amanda were hot favourites to make the final (Picture: BBC/Guy Levy)

Amanda – who has never directly addressed the speculation that there was beef between her and Giovanni – was reportedly ‘left broken and saddened’ by her time on Strictly.

A source also claimed at the start of the year that the Mr Selfridge actress had requested video footage of her rehearsals with Giovanni and was seeking legal advice.

They claimed she was ‘really stressed by having to spend eight hours a day with Giovanni’ and ‘spent a lot of time crying’.

Giovanni was hailed as a ‘perfectionist’ who can be ‘incredibly full-on.’

Speaking on The One Show not long after the harsh headlines landed, Giovanni – a long-standing a firm favourite pro on Strictly – told host Alex Jones that he trains ‘to be the best’, especially as the contestants ‘only have one week’ to learn routines.

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