GIOVANNI Pernice’s fans have claimed his fellow Strictly pros have been distancing themselves from him for years.
Gio, 33, is currently being investigated by the BBC after at least three of his former celebrity partners made complaints about him.
The professional dancer, who quit the ballroom show just last week, subsequently denied the claims in a statement released on Instagram.
Insisting that he “rejected any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour”, Gio said he looks forward to clearing his name.
In the comments section, though, his followers pointed out that some of the other Strictly pros had shunned him in recent years.
One wrote: “Well they need to hold onto their jobs they can’t upset the paymasters.”
Another added: “Anton has a successful theatre show and TV show with Gio, do you think he would want that to end?”
Someone else said: “Over the past two years only Kai [Widdrington] and Nikita [Kuzmin] went to his solo show and didn’t post anything on social media. Nearly every pro went to watch Graziano and Johannes solo shows and proudly share it on insta.”
One more chimed in with: “The pros have all distanced themselves from Gio over the past 2 years. You should be asking why because and if maybe there’s actually some truth in the allegations.
“If you check Gio’s past posts, the pros never like his posts. Maybe there’s some truth to the allegations.”
In Giovanni’s statement, he wrote in full: “To my dear fans,
“You will be as surprised as I am that allegations have been made about my dance teaching methods in the media this week.
“Of course, I reject any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour, and I look forward to clearing my name.”
“Those who have followed my journey on Strictly Come Dancing over the last decade will know that I am passionate and competitive,” he added.
“No-one is more ambitious for my dance partners than me.
“I have always striven to help them be the very best dancers they can be. This has always come from a place of love and wanting to win – for me and my dance partners.”
He signed off: “Thank you all once again for your continued love and support!”
Whilst still not addressing Gio, Karen Hauer posted this week that she is enjoying a break with her boyfriend.
Carlos Gu shared a picture of him and fellow Strictly star Dianne Buswell.
Jowita Przystał posted a selfie, and Gorka Marquez revealed he was in the recording studio.
While some celebrities, including Made in Chelsea’s Jamie Laing, have publicly thrown their support behind Gio, fans have noticed that his co-stars are yet to comment.
Some have suggested this could be down to the BBC’s strict impartiality rules.
Writing on Reddit, one said: “I could be wrong, but maybe the other pros and judges are not allowed to comment/like because as BBC employees, they have to be seen to be impartial.”
Another said: “I suspect everyone has been told not to comment to try and stop the story.”
Three of Gio’s former celebrity partners – including Laura Whitmore and Amanda Abbington – have come forward to make formal complaints about the Italian dancer, claiming they were left “traumatised” by the experience of working with him.
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It’s since been claimed others may join them as the investigation continues, with the third partner who’s come forward not named.
Gio quit the upcoming series of Strictly ahead of the damning claims made against him.