EXCLUSIVE: Strictly’s Giovanni Pernice has been flooded with offers – as he makes his TV comeback.
Giovanni is said to be flooded with offers following his Strictly controversy (Image: Getty)
Strictly’s Giovanni Pernice has been flooded with offers as he makes his TV comeback.
The programme, filmed back in 2022, had been shelved following explosive allegations of bullying made by Giovanni’s Strictly dance partner Amanda Abbington.
But two years on, TV bosses have had a change of heart and reportedly decided to air the reality show in the new year – giving the rest of the television industry assurances about hiring Giovanni.
A source said: “Giovanni is delighted that Channel Four are running the show, and he hopes it will kickstart more opportunities.
“His future on the BBC is uncertain, but he’s still receiving a lot of calls and offers from other broadcasters and he’s looking forward to 2025 and putting the last year behind him.
“He’s having the time of his life in Italy but he still sees his future as being on TV in the U.K. where he has a lot of fans.
“He was gutted to leave Strictly and to have stop doing his show with Anton.
“But he’s excited about all the opportunities that might be out there for him and he’s determined to embrace as many as he can.”
Strictly’s Giovanni Pernice is back on TV in January (Image: ITV)
Confirming the exciting news on Instagram earlier this year, Giovanni declared: “I’m back baby!”
Executives had reportedly considered cutting Giovanni’s scenes entirely, but the decision was made to keep him in the programme following the results of the BBC investigation.
The BBC concluded its investigation last month, clearing Giovanni of ten out of 16 allegations, including claims of violence, physical abuse, threats, and intimidation. However, six allegations were upheld.
The report found instances of “inappropriate behaviour of sexual banter in the workplace,” as well as “belittling, dismissive, and insulting language.”
The allegations rocked his professional reputation, with Abbington reportedly receiving an apology from BBC bosses after their findings.
Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice were caught in a BBC investigation (Image: BBC)
Insiders have questioned how Abbington will take seeing Giovanni back on TV.
But a friend of Amanda said: “She’s focused on her own life and her career, and isn’t paying attention to what Gio is doing.”
Meanwhile, Giovanni’s former Strictly co-star, Radio 2’s Richie Anderson, kept quiet during the investigation and even unfollowed him on social media amid rumours of a falling out.
In Celebrity Hunted, Giovanni and Anderson teamed up for the thrilling Channel 4 reality show after competing on the BBC dance competition in 2021.
They will joined the star-studded lineup featuring Loose Women star Denise Welch and her husband Lincoln Townley, EastEnders icon Danielle Harold, and Coronation Street actress Kimberley Hart-Simpson.
