Strictly's Giovanni Pernice says 'it's concerning' as he addresses scandal in first TV interview

Giovanni Pernice made his first TV appearance on Tuesday's episode of Lorraine, following the Strictly Come Dancing scandal. The BBC recently launched a review after Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington, 50, lodged complaints about her 2023 professional dance partner, Giovanni, 34.

The BBC has since apologised to Amanda and stated: "We have assessed the complaints and we have upheld some, but not all, of the complaints made."

Giovanni has consistently denied the allegations and expressed his relief when the investigation cleared him of the abuse allegations.

On Tuesday's Lorraine, Giovanni pledged to clarify the situation, admitting he found the Strictly scandal 'very concerning'. The professional dancer also condemned any trolling of the star and insisted they never had an argument during training.

Amanda, who withdrew from the BBC One show last year for "personal reasons", alleged she was exposed to a "toxic environment" and "inappropriate, mean, nasty bullying". In a written statement, Amanda said it "was not an easy thing to do" to come forward, and she has been "accused of being a liar, a troublemaker and of being 'mad and unstable'" and that she and her children had been threatened, reports the Mirror.

Giovanni has always denied the allegations. He shared a heartfelt message on Instagram back in September after the investigation concluded, writing: "It's over, it's finished, six months, seven months of all of this. Seven months of reading things every day in the newspaper and not being able to respond because I wanted to keep the confidentiality and privacy of the review, (it) was a difficult time."

He continued, expressing his relief: "It was difficult because, you know, reading stuff that (was) un'true', wasn't the nicest time of my life lets be honest. But today I'm happy because, at the beginning there were very, very serious allegations thrown out at me but today, none of the serious allegations have been upheld."

Giovanni also addressed the cleared accusations: "All the threatening, abusive, harassment behaviour allegations have not been upheld. Today is a day when we can all reflect because, I appreciate that dancing is a very difficult thing to do."

He reflected on the nature of his profession: "It's a sport, it's something that is difficult in every possible way and sometimes you get frustrated, as a teacher, as a dancer, as a performer. But the only reason why you get frustrated is because you care about what you do."

Finally, he spoke about his passion for dance and teaching: "You know as a professional, as a teacher, I want to get the best out of my partner, and sometimes I do get frustrated. I think everybody around the world does the same thing, it's called being professional and I love doing that."

"You know even now with Bianca [Guaccero, his partner on the Italian equivalent of Strictly, Ballando con le Stelle], I get frustrated, I think it's a normal thing, but then you get out the best and the results come forward."