Entertainment
Strictly star Giovanni Pernice accused of doing ‘horrendous things’ to fellow dancer-Pierra Willix-Entertainment – Metro
Another claimed many dancers ‘have little positive to say’ about working with him.
A dancer has hit out at Strictly’s Giovanni Pernice (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
A former dance partner of Giovanni Pernice has accused him of doing ‘horrendous things’ to her.
Last week it was reported that the BBC was launching an investigation into the Strictly Come Dancing pro following accusations made about his behaviour by former contestants.
It comes after rumours started swirling the Italian dancer, 33, had left the series and would not be returning later this year.
He’s now been hit with more allegations of his conduct, with a fellow professional dancer sharing a damning statement about their time working together.
Dancer Korina Travis, 29, previously performed with Giovanni at private functions and didn’t hold back when asked about her opinions of him.
Join Metro’s Strictly community on WhatsApp
Want to be the first to get all the latest news and rumours from the Strictly dancefloor?
Join our Strictly Come Dancing WhatsApp channel to keep up to date with all the behind-the-scenes gossip about your favourite pros, judges and celebrities.
Simply click on this link, select ‘Join Chat’ and you’re in! Don’t forget to turn on notifications so you can see when we’ve just dropped the latest spoilers – and keep dancing!
‘I’ve known him for years as a fellow competitor and he has done horrendous things to me,’ she said.
Korina Travis said he had done ‘horrendous things’ to her (Picture: Korina Travis/ Instagram)
‘I will not speak about my experiences with him.
‘I’ll leave it at that,’ she added when speaking to The Sun.
Korina was considered for Strictly as part of a push for younger pros in 2016, however BBC chiefs opted for Chloe Hewitt.
She is now performing for ballroom company Burn the Floor, working alongside dozens of ex-Strictly dancers.
The professional dancer is under the spotlight after accusations were made against his behaviour (Picture: Korina Travis/ Instagram)
A source who also worked with dancers who performed with Giovanni on his stage tours told the publication others had similar experiences.
They claimed one female dancer was left exhausted by ‘gruelling repeat numbers’ in rehearsals and one male pro had a ‘bust-up’ with him about the ‘lack of breaks’.
They added that ‘many have little positive to say about their experiences’ working with Giovanni.
It was previously claimed that Giovanni – who joined Strictly in 2015 and won with Rose Ayling-Ellis in 2021 – was a ‘taskmaster’ in rehearsals and made celeb partners cry.
He competed on the last season of the show with Amanda Abbington (Picture: BBC/Guy Levy)
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
According to The Sun, the BBC began an internal probe after three ex contestants instructed lawyers.
However, over the weekend Giovanni defended himself on social media following reports of the complaints levelled against him.
‘Of course, I reject any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour, and I look forward to clearing my name,’ he said.
He also wrote that although he was ‘passionate and competitive’, pushing his partners has ‘always come from a place of love and wanting to win’.
Metro.co.uk has contacted representatives for Givanni Pernice for comment.
Strictly Come Dancing is streaming on BBC iPlayer.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
Entertainment – MetroRead More