Giovanni Pernice appears to have taken aim at his former dance partner Amanda Abbington while facing accusations of “threatening and abusive” behaviour during their training sessions on Strictly Come Dancing.
The Sicilan-born dancer, who has strongly denied the allegations, is currently being investigated for “serious workplace misconduct” after three of his former partners made a complaint to the BBC.
And now Pernice has indirectly addressed the issue by “liking” a fan's comment on a recent post, which implied that Abbington lacked the “mental strength” to compete on the ballroom series.
The comment, which was found under a video of Pernice and his girlfriend Molly Brown enjoying a getaway in Portugal, read: “Keep your chin up Gio, unlucky that someone decided to partner you with someone who didn't have the mental strength to participate in Strictly.
“The frustration I have is that no 'official' complaint has been made, it's all innuendo by one partner when the other two have jumped in the bandwagon.
“’If' things were so bad why has no one picked up in the last nine seasons either in the programme itself or during the tour?”
The comment also went on to reference the Strictly pro’s previous celebrity dance partners, who are seeking legal action against him, reading: “These partners may have had issues but as far as I can tell did not make anything official...
“But now they have banded together they appear to have hired a £700 an hour lawyer, one thing is for sure my license fee better not be picking up this bill, they can pay it out of their fee for appearing in Strictly.
“Like I say, let Gio see the accusations and let professionals like Arlene Phillips review. So fed up of AA, LW and RS systematically trying to ruin a professional's reputation. Let's get this sorted once and for all, all started when one woman, who was already going through a lot in her personal life, couldn't take the added pressure of professional dancing, which is a great shame.”
Three women, whose identities haven't been confirmed by Strictly or Pernice, have sought the services of law firm Carter-Ruck to investigate Giovanni's behaviour.
A Carter Ruck spokesperson told The Standard earlier this month: “There have been numerous serious complaints made to the BBC, who are now in the process of evidence gathering. As it is still an ongoing matter no further comment can be made at this stage.”
The ballroom dancer has strongly denied that there is any truth to allegations which have been made against him.
Taking to Instagram last week, he wrote: “To my dear fans, You will be as surprised as I am that allegations have been made about my dance teaching methods in the media this week. Of course, I reject any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour, and I look forward to clearing my name.
“Those who have followed my journey on Strictly Come Dancing over the last decade will know that I am passionate and competitive. No-one is more ambitious for my dance partners than me.
“I have always striven to help them be the very best dancers they can be. This has always come from a place of love and wanting to win - for me and my dance partners.”
