Strictly Come Dancing has been in turmoil for months during the scandal surrounding Giovanni Pernice, who has now left the BBC show.
The current longest-serving professional, Karen Hauer, has broken her silence on her former co-star as she confessed the situation is “really sad”.
Italian dancer Pernice was accused of “bullying” and “abusive” behaviour in training by his 2023 partner on the show, Amanda Abbington.“
The choreographer has denied any wrongdoing but the situation has sparked his exit from the show, with the BBC confirming he was no longer in the line-up of professional dancers.
Sherlock star Abbington, 52, quit the show early duirng last year’s series and since making the claims, it’s been reported more of Pernice’s past dance partners have made similar reports, with a BBC investigation into the accusations ongoing.
Hauer, 42, has talked about the controversy, revealing Pernice’s exit from the show came as a “massive surprise”.
“We will miss him. It was a massive surprise. Things can happen that we don’t know about,” she continued.
Speaking to The Mirror, she went on: “I don’t want to say anything that’s not right, and I don’t want to hurt anyone.
“But it’s not a nice feeling for anyone. We are all so busy during the show doing our own thing.
“We are all in a bubble with our own celebs. I wouldn’t be able to comment (on the allegations). I haven’t spoken to him – he’s busy doing his thing on tour. I don’t know what happened. It is really sad.”
Head judge of the show Shirley Ballas also broke her silence on the topic recently, insisting “the truth will come out” as she delved into the media storm surrounding the claims.
Abbington made claims against Pernice following last year’s show
BBC
The 63-year-old said of Italian-born Pernice: “I know he is a hard worker.
“He wants the people to do the very best that they can do. Obviously, in my life I was bullied a lot.
“I don’t condone bullying on any path but also I don’t believe gossip and what you read in the newspapers because things get escalated and they are blown way out of all proportion and it can turn into a great big snowball.”
Also speaking to The Mirror, she concluded: “So my feeling for Giovanni is, let them do this investigation or whatever it is they are doing and the truth will come out.
This year will mark Hauer’s 13th series on Strictly Come Dancing
BBC
“So we don’t judge anybody until I know absolutely 100 percent. I won’t pass on the gossip unless I know 100 percent it is true.
“I have never ever, ever experienced any ill will or bad feeling or bad sportsmanship or rudeness from him. He will be missed.”