Strictly timeline as Giovanni Pernice faces ‘new grievance from male contestant’theinsiderinsight

Strictly Come Dancing has been hit with its largest scandal in its 21-year historical past.

Since launching in 2000, the BBC dancing competitors has defied the critics and fought off its rankings rivals to grow to be one in all Britain’s most-watched – and enduring – successes.

The one controversy the present confronted was normally reserved to what has grow to be referred to as “the Strictly curse”, wherein superstar contestants develop so near the skilled dancer they’re paired with that their real-life relationships are affected.

However that every one modified in October 2023 when Sherlock star Amanda Abbington stop the collection, simply 5 weeks in.

It wasn’t till January that stories of behind-the-scenes points manifested, with Abbington requesting footage of her “tense’ coaching periods with Giovanni Pernice, one in all Strictly’s best-loved professionals. Since then, there was a flurry of allegations about Pernice’s strategies, one thing the Italian dancer has vehemently defended himself from.

The most recent report claims {that a} male superstar, who appeared on the present has now come ahead with their very own declare about Pernice, and is aiding an investigation exploring his behaviour.

Under is a timeline of the furore surrounding Pernice.

23 September 2023: Strictly contestant Amanda Abbington points a defiant message following rumours of a feud between her {and professional} companion Giovanni Pernice.

Forward of the primary 2023 dwell present, the Sherlock star addresses rumours reported within the media of a rift between her and the skilled dancer.

She inform hers followers: “I’m carrying my jacket which says ‘who cares what different individuals suppose’ as a result of who does care what different individuals suppose. There’s just a little life lesson.”

“It’s all enjoyable and I’m ignoring the b******* clearly as a result of persons are t****. Simply cease it, you realize who you’re.”

Hours later, the pair obtain excessive scores for his or her debut efficiency, and their chemistry is praised by the present’s judging panel.

21 October 2023: Abbington misses the Strictly dwell present “on account of medical causes”.

The information was initially introduced on the BBC Two spin-off present It Takes Two, with host and former Strictly skilled Janette Manrara telling audiences, “we’ve got some breaking information”.

“Sadly, on account of medical causes, Amanda is not going to be participating in Strictly Come Dancing this weekend,” she stated. Strictly Come Dancing protocols imply that every one being effectively, Amanda and Giovanni (Pernice) will return the next week.”

23 October 2023: Abbington quits Strictly, saying it’s with the “deepest remorse” that she has left the present for “private causes”.

Posting a press release on Instagram, Abbington writes: “It’s with deepest remorse that I needed to depart Strictly. I didn’t come to this choice simply or flippantly however for private causes I’m unable to proceed.

“It was an absolute pleasure working with my fellow contestants, they’re an exquisite, hardworking and gifted group of people that I like and who I’ll miss seeing each Friday and Saturday and competing alongside.”

She goes onto thank the manufacturing group and “everybody on Strictly who taken care of me and who’re so type and caring”. Abbington provides: “I’m so unhappy that I’m unable to go any additional. Thanks to everybody who voted and who despatched great messages and provoking help. You’re all superb. Really. Thanks. xxx.”

Pernice responds to Abbington’s Instagram announcement, writing: “Amanda … I’m so unhappy we will’t proceed however I’m pleased with what we achieved and I’m sending you a lot love” – nonetheless, it’s famous by Strictly viewers that Abbington had failed to say Pernice.

6 January 2024: It’s reported that Abbington has requested rehearsal footage from her time on Strictly amid rumours of a feud with Pernice.

The Solar revealed a report claiming that Abbington desires the video recordings of her follow periods with Pernice as she allegedly desires to hunt authorized recommendation.

A supply tells the publication: “The BBC have acquired a request for the footage they maintain of Amanda and Giovanni. It is called a knowledge topic entry request. There’s a feeling that the recordings will elevate the lid on what actually goes on behind the scenes on Strictly.”

The BBC responds to Abbington’s knowledge topic entry request, claiming there are “sturdy” obligation of care protocols in place, in addition to “fixed dialogue” between the present’s producers and its superstar contestants.

14 January 2024: Abbington says she has acquired dying threats since revealing she was identified with post-traumatic stress dysfunction (PTSD) after her time on Strictly.

“I used to be identified with delicate PTSD after Strictly for a number of causes and I informed just a few individuals about that, within the utmost confidence, amongst different issues that have been occurring in my life on the time each professionally and personally,” she informed The Solar on Sunday.

“I’m very sorry that individuals felt the necessity to ship me dying threats, threaten my youngsters and convey up my previous, wholesome relationship with an ex-partner as an indicator of my present psychological well being,” Abbington continued. “I want these individuals effectively.”

That very same day, Pernice seems to deal with the Strictly scandal for the primary time. In an Instagram put up selling new dwell present Let Me Entertain You, which was shared on Thursday (11 January), Pernice wrote: “I simply wished to take a second to thank everybody who has despatched messages of help during the last week – I actually actually recognize it – thanks thanks thanks.”

25 January 2024: Pernice defends his coaching model throughout an look on The One Present, telling host Alex Jones: “I’m undoubtedly a perfectionist. Like each different competitor, I wish to win.”

He provides: “However for me, it’s all about getting the very best out of my companion, particularly if I see there’s expertise there. I wish to do my job correctly. I believe, like everybody, you practice your life to be the very best, and whenever you’re on Strictly, you’ve solely acquired one week.”

Jones, who competed on the ninth collection of Strictly in 2011, joked: “You’ll have cried should you’d acquired me. You’ll have been like, ‘Properly, what’s the purpose?”‘

16 March 2024: It’s alleged that two of Pernice’s former Strictly superstar companions – Good Morning Britain host Ranvir Singh and former Love Island presenter Laura Whitmore, who beforehand stated she was “uncomfortable” with Pernice, – have had a “tearful summit” with Abbington about their respective experiences” working with the dancer.

A supply tells The Solar: “They met in individual to share their experiences. Their assembly was emotional however heartwarming. They now know they’re there to help one another after their robust instances with Giovanni. Tears have been shed.

“There’s each risk all three may take it additional and formally complain to the BBC, however for now they’re comforting one another.” Pernice, Singh, Whitmore and the BBC declined to remark.

17 March 2024: Pernice displays on Abbington’s choice to stop Strictly “for medical causes”, calling it “ disgrace”.

Talking on The Mirror’s Invite Only podcast, the skilled dancer says: “I believe, in my view, we may have gone all the way in which.”

Pernice says his popularity as a “perfectionist” comes from “caring” in regards to the superstar he’s partnered with, including: “In each single a part of the world, if [you’re] knowledgeable dancer, we’ve got to get these individuals on the Saturday evening trying the very best as they’ll.

“And if we get to have good scores on the finish, I look again and say ‘I’ve completed an amazing job’. All of us care about our companions and all of us wish to look nice on the Saturday.”

19 March 2024: Lorraine Kelly doesn’t shrink back from hinting on the alleged scandal when Pernice seems on her ITV morning present, asking: “We all know with Strictly typically it doesn’t work and it didn’t work the final time – are you gonna change something?”

Pernice calls Abbington a “nice expertise”, stating: “As I’ve stated previously, I believe with Amanda we may have gone all the way in which to the ultimate.”

When Kelly suggests Pernice evening not have “gelled” with the actor, he replies: “You’re simply there to place these individuals in the very best perspective to be the very best they are often. As I stated, Amanda was an amazing nice expertise, nice dancer.”

Kelly beforehand stated the BBC “ought to simply have a fast look” on the allegations “to place everybody’s thoughts relaxed”.

6 April 2024: It’s reported that Pernice, after “tense” talks, has been assured by the BBC that he’ll stay on Strictly. Upon request for remark, the company informed The Impartial: “The skilled dancers for 2024 will probably be introduced in the end.”

19 Could 2024: Authorized agency Carter Ruck says it has contacted the BBC relating to “quite a few critical complaints” about his alleged behaviour whereas filming Strictly, according to BBC News.

20 Could 2024: Pernice denies all claims of “abusive or threatening behaviour” and tells his Instagram followers he is looking forward to proving his innocence.

“You will be as surprised as I am that allegations have been made about my dance teaching methods in the media this week,” he writes, rejecting the insinuation that his behaviour had ever become “abusive”.

He adds: “I have always striven to help them be the very best dancers they can be,” he said of his celebrity dance partners.

“This has always come from a place of love and wanting to win – for me and my dance partners,” Pernice concluded, thanking his fans for their “continued love and support”.

20 May 2024: Pernice faces more allegations of misconduct. Dancer Korina Travis, who has performed with Pernice in a professional capacity in the past, makes further claims about the dancer’s conduct in an interview with The Sun.

22 May 2024: Pernice’s sister Angela tells MailOnline that the family are completely behind him.

“Giovanni will always have our support, he is family and there’s nothing else to say,” she says from her home in Palermo, where the Pernice family are from.

“The whole family is behind him, mum, dad, me and everyone else, whatever he says is the truth and we support him with all our strength. We are 100 per cent behind him and nothing will change that.”

25 May 2024:It’s reported that the Italian professional dancer is at the centre of an investigation, which is being assisted by a number of celebrities he has previously been paired with.

According to The Sun, these information, compiled by an costly lawyer, embrace photographic proof that counsel Pernice’s coaching regime was so “brutal” that his superstar companions have been left “black and blue”.

Nevertheless, it’s been claimed that Pernice can be compiling his personal paperwork that he believes will clear him of any wrongdoing, together with audio transcripts of 1 ex-partner apologising to him for his or her “troublesome” behaviour.

It’s anticipated that these information will probably be handed to the BBC, which can immediate the company to launch its personal investigation into the matter.

29 Could 2024: The BBC responds to current stories about Pernice’s alleged conduct. Its assertion reads: “It’s a longstanding place that the BBC doesn’t touch upon particular issues associated to people. Nor ordinarily, would we touch upon whether or not we’re reviewing any particular person complaints.

“Lately, we’ve got seen a variety of media stories a couple of excessive profile present. We might urge individuals to not bask in hypothesis. Anybody concerned in a grievance has a proper to confidentiality and honest course of.

“If a grievance is made to the BBC, we assess and take any needed steps to ascertain the details, whether or not there’s a case to reply, and, if applicable, what motion needs to be taken.

“That is all inside the context of the BBC having duties of care to everybody linked to a grievance – that applies to people who have raised the grievance and to these which were complained about.

“While we all know our exhibits have been optimistic experiences for a lot of of those that have taken half, we’ll at all times have a look at any points raised with care, equity and sensitivity to everybody involved.

2 June 2024: Abbington manufacturers Pernice “nasty” whereas denying claims it was him who had requested for his or her coaching periods to be filmed. However a supply near Pernice tells the outlet: “Why ought to everybody consider her and no one consider Gio? It seems like she desires to complete him off and make sure the BBC is on her facet. Giovanni desires a good listening to. He has stated all alongside that he’ll participate in any investigation when requested.”