Giovanni Pernice is reportedly eyeing up a return to Strictly Come Dancing after being cleared of several serious allegations made by his 2023 dance partner, Amanda Abbington.
The professional dancer, who left the BBC show earlier this year after nearly a decade amid the controversy, which included claims by Abbington that he bullied her, is said to be keen to get back on the famous dance floor after many of the more serious claims against him were reportedly dismissed.
The dancer is currently in Rome, where he is appearing on the Italian version of Strictly, Ballando con le Stelle.
His contract there is thought to be for one season, and he is set to return to the UK in 2025 for a major tour from January to July, sparking speculation that he may return to Strictly afterwards.
A source told The Mirror: "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."
The source added: "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."
Abbington described her time working with Pernice as "one of the worst" experiences of her life, making further claims in a recent Newsnight interview.
She eventually withdrew from Strictly citing personal and medical reasons, and later revealed she had been diagnosed with "mild PTSD."
Responding to the recent BBC findings, Pernice wrote on Instagram: "All the threatening, abusive, harassment behaviour allegations have not been upheld."
He added: "As a professional, as a teacher, I care about [and] 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."
The investigation reportedly found no evidence of physical aggression, but complaints of verbal bullying and harassment were upheld. Six out of 17 total complaints were said to have been supported.
On Wednesday’s Newsnight, Sherlock actress Abbington detailed alleged abuse, claiming: “It was an ongoing litany of being verbally abused, sexual innuendo, sexual gestures.
“There was a 35-minute rant at me with him throwing his hands up in the air, calling me names and telling me all sorts of things that I was doing wrong and he couldn’t really cope with it anymore.”
A spokesperson for Pernice hit back by accusing her of spreading “false and defamatory claims”.
They previously welcomed the BBC review, saying they are "pleased that this six-month review has not found any evidence of threatening or abusive behaviour by Giovanni".
