Giovanni Pernice shared a career update on Instagram on Monday after Strictly Come Dancing returned to the BBC following Amanda Abbington‘s claims he bullied her last year.

The professional dancer shared a video of himself walking the streets of Italy as he discussed his upcoming work.

Giovanni has been busy rehearsing in Rome for the Italian version of Strictly Come Dancing, Ballando con le stelle, with his new partner, the stunning Italian singer and actress Bianca Guaccero, 43.

Discussing the show, he said: ‘Hello everyone, just a quick update with life from Rome. This week is the first week of the live show which is very exciting and Bianca is doing really really well.

‘I did read a lot of your message at the weekend and I am very grateful for all of you.’

Giovanni Pernice broke his silence with a career update on Instagram on Monday after Strictly Come Dancing returned to the BBC over the weekend

It comes after Giovanni quit Strictly following Amanda Abbington’s claims he bullied during last year’s series

Giovanni also confirmed he will be returning to the UK very soon and has a busy work schedule touring.

He continued: ‘I also got a lot of messages asking me, “Giovanni why have you left the UK”, I haven’t left the UK at all in actual fact I am back on Sunday for the dance class and back for it in October, November and December as well and then back on tour in January until July.

‘For now, I am very excited for Ballando con le stelle [Italian version of Strictly Come Dancing], the dance is going very well. Sending lots of love, I love you all’.

BBC bosses were forced to give their blessing for former star Giovanni to take part in the Italian version of Strictly Come Dancing – following his former dance partner Amanda’s claims that he bullied her.

The Corporation’s intervention to endorse the Sicilian suggests its long-running investigation into the Sherlock actress’s complaints is set to conclude in his favour.

Executives of the Italian series, Ballando con le Stelle, feared they would have been unable to go ahead and hire him without the BBC’s say so – and as the deadline drew close, the BBC stepped in.

There were concerns within the Corporation that had Giovanni lost out on the Italian show because of how long the investigation has gone on for, it could have faced a big legal claim from him for loss of earnings.

As it is, insiders suggest the BBC is facing a bill of £500,000 just for the inquiry – with licence-fee payers ultimately footing the bill.

The professional dancer shared a new video of himself walk the streets of Italy as he discussed his upcoming work

Giovanni has been busy rehearsing in Rome for the Italian version of Strictly Come Dancing with his new partner, the stunning Italian singer and actress Bianca Guaccero, 43

Discussing the show, he said: ‘Hello everyone, just a quick update with life from Rome. This week is the first week of the live show which is very exciting and Bianca is doing really really well’

Giovanni also confirmed he will be returning to the UK very soon and has a busy work schedule touring, he continued: ‘I haven’t left the UK at all in actual fact I am back on Sunday for the dance class and back for the tour’

A Strictly source said: ‘The BBC have seen everything and have pretty much made up their minds as to what went on.

‘There is now some silly to-ing and fro-ing about what the report will say, but while that was all going on Giovanni had been offered an opportunity to continue his career in Italy.

‘Of course he wanted to take part on Ballando. He loves dancing but there was a question mark hanging over his head regarding his conduct.

‘The BBC decided that was absolutely unfair and made the decision to intervene and give him a clean bill of health.

‘There is no way they would have done that if they had any worries about his behaviour. It tells you all you need to know, really.’

The outcome of the BBC’s inquiry is understood to have been delayed as lawyers for both parties disagree on the findings.

There is said to be internal frustration over how long it has taken, given the investigation was launched in April.

Actress Amanda Abbington quit the Strictly last October and has accused the star of bullying behaviour (Amanda and Giovanni pictured on the show)

Some at the BBC are furious that it had to take place at all, taking the view it has been ‘a total waste of time and money’. Another senior BBC employee said of the row: ‘There are no winners here.’

BBC chiefs are also cross that Amanda, 52, hired lawyers to deal with the Corporation over what they saw as ‘HR procedure’.

After complaining to the BBC when she learned Giovanni was to be signed up for the forthcoming UK series in April, Amanda, brought in legal firm Carter-Ruck. They are representing her on a pro-bono basis.

Giovanni, who quit this year’s 20th anniversary series over the inquiry being launched, then instructed Schillings.

The law firm has previously represented the Duchess of Sussex, J. K. Rowling, Johnny Depp and Lance Armstrong.