Strictly’s Giovanni Pernice reveals major career change after admitting he thought Amanda Abbington bullying row would be ‘the end of his career’

Strictly Come Dancing’s Giovanni Pernice has revealed his new job plans after going through a ‘dark time’ which he feared would end his dance career.

The professional dancer, 34, was forced to leave the hit BBC dancing show last year amid a probe into his behaviour, after he was accused of abuse by his former celebrity partner, Amanda Abbington.

Giovanni was cleared of ten out of Amanda’s 16 allegations when the BBC probe concluded in September but remained absent for the current edition of the series.

The BBC’s report cleared him of the most serious accusations of physical aggression, but upheld some of verbal bullying and harassment.

Reflecting on the year, he told The Mirror in a new interview that he was looking forward to a major career change and had his sights set on waltzing away from the dance floor.

He told the publication that he is hoping to forge a career in acting and would also be interested in singing but added that there is one major obstacle to him realising his ambitions. 

The professional dancer was forced to leave the hit BBC dancing show last year amid a probe into his behaviour, after he was accused of abuse by his former celebrity partner, Amanda Abbington (pictured in July, 2024)

the professional dancer revealed he is keen to forge an acting and singing career – but not before he competes on Channel 4’s Celebrity Hunted with Kai Widdrington (pictured left)

He explained that because English isn’t his first language he would have to go back to school.

The star said: ‘That’s something I’ve always wanted to do, but obviously English is not my first language, so we have to see.

‘I need to go to English school first of all to learn English properly.

‘And I like to sing too, so maybe some singing lesson to improve my singing.’

Giovanni’s comments come after he revealed he had to battle through some ‘dark times’ in the wake of the bombshell bullying claims against him. 

He confessed: ‘I’m not going to lie, there were dark moments in terms of, you know, this is finished, this is the end of my career. That was one of my down moments.

‘Sorry for my language but 2024 can f**k off. I’ve been looking forward to seeing the back of it.’

Commenting on Amanda’s bombshell claims, he continued: ‘Every time she came out with another interview I was always maintaining a calm inside. Trust me, it wasn’t easy, there were dark times.’ 

Giovanni’s comments come after he revealed he had to battle through some ‘dark times’ in the wake of the bombshell bullying claims against him

Commenting on Amanda’s bombshell claims, he continued: ‘Every time she came out with another interview I was always maintaining a calm inside. Trust me, it wasn’t easy, there were dark times’

And the star has proved he is looking forward to pastures new as he took on a new show with his Strictly co-star Kai Widdrington in Channel 4’s Celebrity Hunted.

The Italian dancer also explained he was excited to be back on British TV and admitted he took the show very seriously.

Viewers may be shocked by Giovanni’s tactics on the hit Channel 4 show as the star confessed he decided to take the hunt to the hunters and turned up on the doorstep with a pizza – delivering it himself.

And the reality show is only the latest in a string of big TV commitments for the star who will also be heading out on a nation-wide tour. 

Giovanni added he was both excited and saddened to be hitting the road with the Strictly show as he confessed it would be his last and he needed a break but added he was looking forward to being back with his fans and reconnecting with them. 

And the star will surely be needing a break after his impressive time on Celebrity Hunted. 

The show sees a group of stars, AKA Fugitives, go on the run across mainland UK for 14 days as they are chased by the Hunters – a handpicked team of police and military personnel.

Hunters have access to all of the celeb’s personal information and use the ‘powers of the state’ to locate and capture them, including cyber forensic technology, ANPR, CCTV, helicopters, drones, dogs and call tracing.

The reality show sees a group of stars go on the run across the UK for 14 while being chased by the Hunters and this series will also star Danielle Harold (left) and Kimberly Hart-Simpson (right)

They even use social media to bribe members of the public or captured contestants with monetary rewards in exchange for information on the celebs whereabouts.

Those who successfully evade capture for 14 days must reach a designated ‘extraction’ point on the final day before winning £100,000 for Stand Up To Cancer.

The Strictly pros are among six famous pairings including alongside Loose Women’s Denise Welch, 66, and her husband Lincoln Townley, 52, pop star Duncan James, 46, and model Christine McGuinness, 36.

Podcasters David ‘Sideman’ Whitely, 33, and Zeze Millz, 35, soap actresses Danielle Harold, 32, and Kimberly Hart-Simpson, 38, and news anchors Simon McCoy, 63, and Lucrezia Millarini, 48 will also all be taking part.