The 10 big questions Strictly bosses must answer about Giovanni Pernice ‘bullying’ scandal
IT’S been seven days since The Sun exclusively revealed that Giovanni Pernice had quit Strictly, but the BBC hasn’t answered a single question surrounding the crisis.
That’s despite the fact that mystery still surrounds exactly what happened in the run-up to his departure and they still haven’t confirmed he is the focus of an investigation into his behaviour with celebrity partners on the show.
We understand that the behaviour of Giovanni, 33, is being probed by the Beeb, and that several women have made formal complaints about him.
But they have not stated who is carrying out the investigation and what the outcome of that might be.
In a bid to provide clarity on the important subject, The Sun put ten key questions to the BBC, which were responded to within 21 minutes with an abrupt: “No comment.”
Here are the questions we put to them – judge for yourselves how they should have answered them…
1. Will you publicly confirm you are investigating the behaviour of Giovanni while working on Strictly? If not, why not?
2. Who is conducting the inquiry — is it an internal Strictly team or an external person/team/body?
3. Why wasn’t an investigation launched sooner, given Amanda first made the allegations publicly months ago?
4. Did you tell Giovanni he couldn’t return to Strictly during any probe? Is this why he quit?
5. Will you interview Giovanni in person, and give him the chance to respond in full to all the allegations against him?
6. If he is deemed to have behaved inappropriately, will you bar him from appearing on Strictly again?
7. Have you asked other ex-partners of Gio to talk? If so, how many, and when did you ask them?
8. Will you be working with him on other productions while any investigation happens?
9. Have any other women approached you from outside of the Strictly sphere with complaints about Gio?
10. Were any enquiries made after other contestants spoke out about struggling with him as a partner? If not, why not?
Giovanni Pernice Strictly scandal timeline
October 2023: Amanda abruptly withdraws from Strictly having already missed one live show. Her departure is announced in a vague BBC statement that ‘wishes her the best’.
Giovanni posts a short message on social media addressing the exit, which read: “Amanda… I am so sad we can’t continue but I am proud of what we achieved and I am sending you so much love.”
Amanda then shares her own farewell statement on Instagram thanking co-stars but failing to mention Gio.
Giovanni’s dad Piero insists there were no signs of a fall out and the pairing could have gone all the way. He praised his son as kind and polite.
November 2023: Giovanni is reportedly gutted by the situation and is considering his Strictly future as questions are raised about his conduct.
January 2024: Amanda’s PTSD diagnosis comes to light and she demands CCTV from rehearsals to prove that Giovanni’s training methods weren’t acceptable.
The BBC issues a statement defending its duty of care to contestants, insisting it takes any claims of wrongdoing very seriously.
The Corporation stands by its man after emergency meeting
March 2024: Giovanni publicly states he has no intention of leaving Strictly in a TV interview with close pal Anton du Beke.
Ranvir Singh and Laura Whitmore enter the picture. Allegedly the two celebs, who were both previously partnered with Giovanni on Strictly, didn’t feel the BBC took their issues with his methods seriously enough.
The pair have a closed meeting with Amanda where tears are said to be shed.
May 2024: We reveal Giovanni is leaving the programme after having talks with show bosses
He leaves the country with girlfriend Molly Brown on holiday
The BBC launches an internal investigation after three complainants instruct lawyers. A source describes it as a “nightmare situation”.