Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni Pernice has been hit with yet another claim he acted in an unprofessional manner towards one of his former celebrity co-stars.
Amanda Abbington is currently pursuing a legal case against the Italian dancer, after she claimed she had PTSD from her time with the dancer, leading to two more of his former partners to come forward.
In a recent update, Pernice is said to have sent a clip via WhatsApp to one of his previous partners before one of the series’ Saturday live shows, with the BBC said to have been informed.
Strictly executives are currently believed to be scouring through nine years of Strictly footage to confirm or deny claims from three celebrities – claims which Giovanni has strongly denied.
A source told the Mail Online: “The BBC was told about the video clip and that someone found the content completely inappropriate, grossly offensive.
“The BBC was told the celebrity was shocked and upset to receive it on a WhatsApp message, hours before the couple were meant to be dancing together on live television.
Amanda claimed her time with Pernice gave her PTSD
BBC
“They were told they felt intimidated by it. The women are being incredibly brave in speaking out, especially as a lot of them are going up against vicious messages from his loyal fans.”
A representative previously said in a statement: “Giovanni is fully committed to clearing his name and defending his rep against accusations against him.”
GB News has contacted Pernice’s representatives for a comment.
A number of ex-dance partners – including Abbington – are working with renowned legal firm Carter-Ruck and claim they have photographic evidence to prove they sustained injuries.
Amanda and two others are said to be taking legal action against Pernice
BBC
It is alleged Pernice’s “brutal” training methods left his dance partners “black and blue” – something which he vehemently denies – and vowed to “clear name” with newly hired law firm Shillings.
Since hiring Schilling’s, it is understood that Pernice’s’ transcripts will prove that one partner apologised for their “difficult behaviour”, with a source telling The Sun: “This is all-out war. These women — and there are more in conversations with Carter-Ruck — are being incredibly brave in taking a stand.
“Despite this, they are getting enormous stick from Gio’s loyal fans, claiming they are savagely out to end a man’s career, and effectively-being snowflakes. This is unheard of in a supposedly wholesome competition.
“There are allegedly photos of them with black and blue limbs which are expected to form part of their lawyer’s dossier of evidence.”
Giovanni and Amanda are at war with one another
The newest claims come after it was said the 33-year-old had requested that Strictly executives video record all their sessions after he became increasingly concerned for Abbington’s behaviour, just two weeks in.
A source told The Mail on Sunday: “Gio found the situation [with Amanda] very unsettling, so he asked that all sessions be recorded. It was totally unprecedented, but Gio started to see things in Amanda’s behaviour and wanted to ensure he was protected. What a relief he did.”