Giovanni Pernice’s unbeaten Strictly record will finally be broken this Saturday-Josie Copson-Entertainment – Metro

Giovanni Pernice holds a niche but impressive record(Picture: BBC)

Before Giovanni Pernice left the Strictly Come Dancing professional lineup, he maintained an impressive if unusual record for many years.

The 34-year-old made a name for himself as the ‘King of Halloween’. He didn’t do it by forcing everyone to re-watch classic horror films, but by executing must-see moments and consistently dominating the themed week.

As a result, every Halloween episode that featured Giovanni, saw him reach the very top of the leaderboard. Scarily impressive!

Consequently, Strictly fans would have high expectations for the Italian dancer going into the show, which falls at around week six.

The milestone in the Strictly calendar is coming up this weekend, and his contribution will be missing, bringing an official end to his accomplishment. No longer will Giovanni have any chance to continue the tradition, as he left the series earlier this year after complaints were made about his alleged training room behaviour.

The Halloween streak began in his very first year (2015) when Giovanni was partnered with Coronation Street actress Georgia May Foote.

Giovanni’s record began in his first year (Picture: BBC)

He went classic for his debut, performing a terrifying Tango to Ghostbusters by Ray Parker Jr, which scored an admirable 35.

It featured patron backpacks and shooters, which of course, were Strictly-fied with silver glitter. You know what they say, if you’re going to catch a ghost then you might as well look sparkly doing it*. (*Nobody says that).

Proving it wasn’t beginner’s luck, he once again bopped to the top in the following year.

Giovanni came dressed as a zombie (Picture: BBC)

This time, it was the same style of dance – Tango – but a new partner in the form of presenter Laura Whitmore. Their dramatic zombie-inspired number to Paint It Black by The Rolling Stones got them a solid 36.

Upping his costume game further, Giovanni dressed as Frankenstein and his bride was performer Debbie McGee.

They scored an almost perfect 39 for a super energetic Charleston to Sister Sledge’s Frankie.

Giovanni turned green for his Charleston (Picture: BBC)

Once again, he was just one point off perfection with a Theatre/Jazz routine dressed as skeletons with Faye Tozer.

The Steps singer’s chilling moves to Fever by Peggy Lee, which saw them slowly isolate their bodies and perform in perfect synchronisation is a standout for Strictly fans. They brought it back in the final and managed to grab the perfect 40.

Giovanni and Faye almost got the perfect 40 on Halloween week (Picture: BBC)

Ru Paul’s Drag Race judge Michelle Visage was on his arm for a frightening Foxtrot around the floor to the Adams Family theme tune, originally song by Vick Mizzy, in 2020. No prizes for guessing which family they dressed up as! It was a triumph with the routine awarded 39.

The following year, Halloween Week was cancelled due to it being a shortened series because of Covid-19. After not getting to perform in his beloved special, Giovanni created a masterpiece that would enter the history books when it returned.

Going back to the Tango, where his winning streak began, he danced to Ed Sheeran’s Shivers with eventual winner Rose-Ayling Ellis.

Dressed as an ice queen, Rose sharply manoeuvred around the room and earned the elusive perfect 40. This was the earliest top marks had been awarded in Strictly history – a record that still stands. Not only that, it was the sixth time Giovanni was at the top of the Halloween leaderboard.

The incredible moment even led to a personal message from Ed, who congratulated them on their achievement. After this high, things began to start crashing down.

Rose and Giovanni have their own record too (Picture: PA)

In 2022, Giovanni wasn’t dancing in Halloween week with partner Richie Anderson as they’d already been kicked out of the contest.

He once again didn’t make it to the milestone in 2023, as his dance partner Amanda Abbington quit Strictly before it arrived. After exiting, Amanda made damning allegations about her treatment.

BBC launched an investigation into Giovanni’s conduct and findings were released last month. There were no findings relating to physical aggression, but complaints of verbal bullying and harassment were upheld. The broadcaster issued an apology to the Sherlock actress.

Amanda quit before Halloween week (Picture: PA)

The competition is now wide open for anyone to take the Halloween week crown, with no clear pattern emerging as to who might be able to become the successor.

Previously Giovanni’s spooky skills were often referenced throughout the specials, but this will no doubt be abruptly cut from the chatter. Not only because he’s no longer part of the series, but because of the circumstances around his exit, which have left a lasting impact.

Although he created some standout high scorers, nobody is bigger than Strictly Come Dancing – a statement that host Claudia Winkleman has previously made. With our without Giovanni, Halloween is a special celebration for the viewers.

Strictly Come Dancing continues Saturdays at 7.15pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

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