THE ‘real reason’ behind Giovanni Pernice and Tasha Ghouri’s split can be revealed after the Love Island star signed up to Strictly.
Tasha, 25, joined Perri Kiely and Jordan Banjo on Kiss FM today as she made the special announcement after weeks of keeping it a secret.
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Her casting on the BBC show comes just months after her ex Giovanni, 33, was axed following abuse accusations from former celebrity partners.
According to MailOnline, Giovanni was the one who initiated the relationship, contacting Tasha in January 2022 just a month after his Strictly win with Rose Ayling-Ellis.
Explaining why things came to an end, a source said: “Their romance didn’t progress because Giovanni was travelling a lot with the Strictly tour and Tasha was already involved with someone else.”
Giovanni is now single following his recent split from Molly Brown, while Tasha is still dating her Love Island partner, Andrew Le Page.
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The insider added: “Giovanni was persistent when it came to Tasha.
“They have a lot in common, both being dancers, and he had just learned a lot about the deaf community performing with Rose on Strictly, who Tasha really admires.
“Tasha was impressed by how gentlemanly he was, taking her out to top London restaurants and offering to send cars to collect her, but she’s independent and always made her own way to see him.”
The Sun has contacted representatives for Giovanni and Tasha.
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Tasha competed in a number of major dance events before finding fame on Love Island.
It’s sparked concern she will have an unfair advantage over her co-stars – just like fellow competitors JB Gill and Sarah Hadland.
As she was revealed as the 6th contestant on the BBC dance show, Tasha said: “Pinch me, I can’t believe I’m going to be on Strictly Come Dancing.
“I’ve been watching the show since I was little – it’s a firm Ghouri family favourite – so this is a total dream come true.
“I know it’s going to be an unforgettable experience and I hope to represent and make everyone proud out on that dancefloor.”
The reality star then defended her position on the show despite being a professional dancer – saying: “I’ve not danced for quite a few years, since Love Island my career is so different.
“It’s such a different dance style, I may actually not be good at it, like ballet – I’m not good at ballet.
“I’m trained in commercial street style it’s going to be very hard but I’m excited for a challenge.”
Giovanni’s star plummented following accusations of mistreatment by Amanda Abbington during last year’s series, which he denies.
Amanda, 53, claimed she told producers on Strictly that she didn’t ‘feel safe’ during rehearsals with him.
The actress made a complaint about the teaching methods of her former dance partner months after withdrawing early from the 2023 series of the celebrity competition, citing medical issues.
Amanda, known for the popular shows Sherlock and Mr Selfridge, alleges that she was subject to “inappropriate, mean, nasty bullying” and a “toxic environment” while on the BBC One programme.
Giovanni rejects “any claim of threatening or abusive behaviour”, and believes he will be cleared by a BBC review.
Amanda told BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour today there were “pockets of times” when she got along with Giovanni, before saying their relationship would return to “chaos”.
She said: “When you’re in a room, and you just feel ‘I don’t want to be spoken to like this, I don’t deserve to be spoken to like this, I’m trying my best. I’m working hard and for these things to be happening to me’.
Giovanni Pernice Strictly scandal timeline
October 2023: Amanda abruptly withdraws from Strictly having already missed one live show. Her departure is announced in a vague BBC statement that ‘wishes her the best’.
Giovanni posts a short message on social media addressing the exit, which read: “Amanda… I am so sad we can’t continue but I am proud of what we achieved and I am sending you so much love.”
Amanda then shares her own farewell statement on Instagram thanking co-stars but failing to mention Gio.
Giovanni’s dad Piero insists there were no signs of a fall out and the pairing could have gone all the way. He praised his son as kind and polite.
November 2023: Giovanni is reportedly gutted by the situation and is considering his Strictly future as questions are raised about his conduct.
January 2024: Amanda’s PTSD diagnosis comes to light and she demands CCTV from rehearsals to prove that Giovanni’s training methods weren’t acceptable.
The BBC issues a statement defending its duty of care to contestants, insisting it takes any claims of wrongdoing very seriously.
The Corporation stands by its man after emergency meeting
March 2024: Giovanni publicly states he has no intention of leaving Strictly in a TV interview with close pal Anton du Beke.
Ranvir Singh and Laura Whitmore enter the picture. Allegedly the two celebs, who were both previously partnered with Giovanni on Strictly, didn’t feel the BBC took their issues with his methods seriously enough.
The pair have a closed meeting with Amanda where tears are said to be shed.
May 2024: We reveal Giovanni is leaving the programme after having talks with show bosses
He leaves the country with girlfriend Molly Brown on holiday
The BBC launches an internal investigation after three complainants instruct lawyers. A source describes it as a “nightmare situation”.
“I recognise red flags and I recognise bad behaviour, because it’s happened to me in the past, and they were coming up more and more frequently.
“And I decided to just speak to the producers about it and say, ‘Look, I’m not comfortable. This is beginning to slightly get out of hand. And it’s a repeat pattern, it starts well, and then it starts to descend into chaos’.
“And I don’t think I deserve that because I’m coming into this room with a positive outlook and trying to do the best that I can and that’s not being reciprocated. I don’t feel happy or safe.”
The actress has previously claimed that producers installed cameras in the training studio, but did not act on her allegations.
She added that she was told this type of behaviour “happened before” and said: “I don’t think women should have to go through this, women should be allowed to stand up and go ‘This behaviour is affecting me. It’s not fair, please do something about it’. So everybody’s happy.”
Giovanni’s 2016 dance partner, former Love Island presenter Laura Whitmore, claimed that she was subjected to “inappropriate behaviour” during her stint on the programme, but did not name the pro.
Timeline of Giovanni Pernice’s dating history
Giovanni is loved up with Molly Brown now, but has dated many high profile beauties:
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