Giovanni Pernice has 'unfinished business' on Strictly and wants to return after BBC report

Giovanni Pernice has reportedly told friends he wants to return to Strictly Come Dancing next year after the BBC cleared him of bullying and violence following an investigation

Giovanni Pernice is reportedly telling friends he's aiming for a comeback to Strictly Come Dancing next year despite the revelations of this week's BBC report, according to sources.

The much-anticipated BBC report exonerated the former star from allegations of violence but did issue an apology to Amanda Abbington after confirming several of her accusations of bullying. Following these events, it is anticipated that Amanda will take legal action in response to how she was treated.

However, insiders close to the professional dancer suggest he hasn't lost hope of making a return to the Strictly dance floor next year, even though he's committed to the Italian version of the show. Giovanni, aged 34, has reportedly informed his circle that his contract with Ballando Con Le Stelle is just for one season and that he feels he has "unfinished business" with the UK series.

A source 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."

A representative for Giovanni chose not to comment on the matter, reports the Mirror.

In a shocking interview on Newsnight, Amanda revealed that she has "no regrets" about filing complaints against Giovanni, despite receiving "hundreds" of death and rape threats. "It's been one of the worst years of my life," she confessed on the BBC programme.

"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 number of threats she has received has "gone into the hundreds". In August, the Metropolitan Police confirmed they were investigating after being called to the Park Theatre in Finsbury Park following an alleged death threat sent to Amanda, who was starring in When It Happens To You at the time.

"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," the Sherlock star told host Victoria Derbyshire. "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."

"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 also disclosed that she is seeking daily legal advice in the wake of the Strictly Come Dancing bullying investigation. In her first public comments since the conclusion of the investigation, Amanda hinted at possible legal action.

Speaking about her current position, Amanda informed Newsnight presenter Victoria that she's "taking guidance from my lawyer on a day to day basis". Amanda highlighted the complexity of the situation: "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 responded: "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 refuted the allegations levelled against him.

Strictly Come Dancing is on BBC One and BBC iPlayer