Giovanni Pernice 'wants to return to Strictly Come Dancing' despite Amanda Abbington bombshell

Giovanni Pernice has told friends he is keen to return to Strictly Come Dancing next year, sources have claimed, despite the findings of this week's BBC report

Giovanni Pernice is hopeful of making a comeback to Strictly Come Dancing next year despite the revelations of this week's BBC report, insiders reveal.

The eagerly anticipated report from the BBC exonerated the former celebrity from accusations of violence but extended an apology to Amanda Abbington after validating several of her allegations regarding bullying. Following these developments, Abbington is envisaged to initiate legal action due to her experience.

Nonetheless, friends close to the professional dancer assert that he remains optimistic about his prospects on Strictly in the forthcoming year, even though he's committed to Italy's version of the show. Giovanni, aged 34, reportedly told friends his contract with Ballando Con Le Stelle spans only one season, and he feels he has "unfinished business" with the UK programme.

A confidant disclosed: "Giovanni has not given up on appearing on the Strictly stage. As far as he is concerned, he has been cleared and there is no reason why he couldn't return. He has told his pals he is hoping to be back next year and is keen to speak to the BBC about it. He still feels very much part of the fold, and has a massive fan base who would no doubt welcome him back. But of course the final decision will be made by BBC bosses."

Representatives for Giovanni refrained from commenting on the situation, reports the Mirror.

In a shocking interview on Newsnight, Amanda revealed she has "no regrets" about filing complaints against Giovanni, despite facing "hundreds" of death and rape threats. She described the past year as one of her worst, saying on the BBC programme: "It's been one of the worst years of my life," and detailing the "I've been through a lot, women go through a lot, but it has been a very unpleasant, turbulent, relentless time in my life. I've had to deal with a myriad of horrible things."

The actress disclosed that over the past eight months, the volume of threats escalated to "gone into the hundreds". Back in August, the Metropolitan Police launched an investigation following a report of a death threat at the Park Theatre in Finsbury Park, where Amanda was performing in When It Happens To You.

Amanda recounted to Victoria Derbyshire, the show's host, the severity of the threats: "I had a credible death threat sent to my place of work, a theatre that I was working at, which was credible and the police had to be called," and "I had a bomb threat sent to my place of work, threatening to blow the building up because I was pursuing this.I've had death threats sent to me, my family."

She also shared the harrowing experience of her daughter being targeted: "I've had rape threats sent to my 15-year-old daughter, saying 'I'm just laughing at the moment thinking about you having to watch your daughter get raped for what you've done to Giovanni Pernice' They were every day I'd be getting those and I have screenshots that have been handed over to the Met Police."

Amanda has disclosed that she is currently seeking daily legal counsel in the wake of the Strictly Come Dancing bullying probe. Breaking her silence since the investigation's conclusion, Amanda hinted at possible legal proceedings.

She confided to Newsnight's Victoria that she's "taking guidance from my lawyer on a day to day basis". Amanda also touched upon the intricacies involved: "There's a 30-page report that me and my lawyers are still digesting. There are still things in there that are unresolved."

A representative for Giovanni commented: "It's disappointing that Ms Abbington would knowingly mislead the outcome of the report in order to further attempt to damage Giovanni's reputation. While Ms Abbington may not like the outcome of the six-month investigation, she should not seek to spread 'false' and defamatory claims."

Giovanni has consistently refuted the accusations levelled against him.

Strictly Come Dancing is on BBC One and BBC iPlayer

Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.