Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice on stage at Utilita Enviornment Birmingham on January 20, 2022 in Birmingham, England. (Photograph by Dave J Hogan/Getty Pictures)
Giovanni Pernice’s former Strictly Come Dancing associate Rose Ayling-Ellis has reportedly distanced herself from the Italian dancer, amid allegations he was “abusive” on set.
Rose Ayling-Ellis was partnered with Giovanni Pernice in 2021, and the pair danced their solution to victory on the hit celeb dancing competitors. Ayling-Ellis turned the primary deaf contestant to win the Glitterball trophy.
Nonetheless, regardless of the actual fact Giovanni Pernice has strongly denied claims that his dance instructing strategies have been in any approach “abusive” or “threatening”, The Solar declare that Ayling-Ellis has “distanced herself” from Gio.
A supply reportedly stated: “Rose is discovering the entire state of affairs actually robust. She had a very nice expertise with Gio so is de facto shocked by all of it.
“She in fact believes what others are saying however she is simply attempting to not become involved. She received’t be talking about it publicly.” The Solar additionally report that she failed to reply to a request for an official remark.
One other former contestant, Stacey Dooley, has additionally briefly spoken in regards to the allegations – though she wasn’t one in all Giovanni Pernice’s companions. She was matched with dancer Kevin Clifton, who she went on to marry.
On Monday (20 Might), BBC Breakfast presenter Jon Kay requested Stacey Dooley: “Whilst you’re right here, earlier than we get to the information, I’ve to speak to you about Strictly. Giovanni made an announcement over the weekend saying he rejects any suggestion of any threatening or abusive behaviour, and also you don’t need to speak about that case and people allegations, however I assume it shines a highlight on the depth of that Strictly world.”
Stacey Dooley responded: ““What I might say, extra broadly, is I hope all the girls concerned are okay. And I feel, truly, it’s separate from this however in my private expertise, I feel it’s a slippery slope to not consider girls once they come ahead and say sure issues. However I simply hope they’re okay.”
Who’re Giovanni Pernice’s former Strictly companions and what have they stated?
Giovanni Pernice has appeared on the long-running BBC present since 2015, and has been paired up with a number of companions, a few of whom have spoken out about their experiences. So as, these are:
Giovanni Pernice and Georgia Might Foote have been runners-up in 2015, coming second. Georgia Might Foote is a British actress and mannequin arguably finest identified for taking part in Alison Simmons within the BBC college drama collection Grange Hill from 2005 to 2008 and in addition Katy Armstrong in Coronation Avenue from 2010 to 2015.
Sequence 14: Laura Whitmore
In Sequence 14, Giovanni Pernice was paired up with Laura Whitmore. The Irish media character and mannequin later shared that she felt ‘extraordinarily uncomfortable’ with Giovanni, 33, and ‘cried every single day’ throughout their time collectively.
Sequence 15: Debbie McGee
Older readers would possibly bear in mind Debbie McGee because the spouse of the late magician Paul Daniels. She was Giovanni’s associate in Sequence 5, and like Georgia Might Foote she and her associate ended up in second place. She has beforehand defended Giovanni and in January she fondly recalled ‘pleased reminiscences’ with the Italian dancer.
Sequence 16: Faye Tozer
Faye Tozer is a member of the long-lasting UK pop group Steps (a favorite amongst the LGBTQ+ group), and like Debbie McGee and Georgia Might Foote additionally got here second within the competitors. They misplaced out to Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton. She reportedly “clashed” with Giovanni throughout her time on the competitors.
Sequence 17: Michelle Visage
Drag Race choose and all-round LGBTQ+ icon Michelle Visage took to the dance ground with Giovanni in 2019, however got here seventh general. We beforehand reported that she “fought every single day” with Giovanni. She was requested on This Morning what it was wish to work with him, after Pernice’s alleged rift together with his celeb associate from 2023’s collection, Amanda Abbington, who reportedly has been looking for authorized recommendation following her time on the present.
Visage replied: “Uh oh. I don’t like gossip, so I’m not right here to gossip, however what I can say from my expertise was sure, he’s robust,” Visage confirmed.
Persevering with, she added that she responded nicely to his instructing fashion, however understood that some others won’t: “He’s in all probability the hardest professional there’s. I needed that. So it relies upon, some individuals can deal with that, some individuals don’t need to deal with that. I needed that.”
Sequence 18: Ranvir Singh
Newsreader Ranvir Singh was the subsequent individual to be paired up with Giovanni Pernice. They got here fifth, with Ranvir Singh later admitting she had been apprehensive after being paired with him in 2020. “Don’t be fooled by his angelic face! He’s a fiery Italian, tremendous strict – I’m a bit terrified of him,” reported the Mirror.
Sequence 19: Rose Ayling-Ellis
As reported above, Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice danced their solution to the latter’s first victory on the programme, in 2021.
Sequence 20: Richie Anderson
The next 12 months, Giovanni was matched together with his first same-sex associate, former footballer Richie Anderson. Anderson is homosexual and has been in a relationship with Dean Eagles since 2012. Sadly he and Gio got here in 14th place, and have been the third couple to be voted off Strictly that 12 months. He then unfollowed Giovanni on Instagram in January 2024, the Solar experiences.
Sequence 21: Amanda Abbington
Final 12 months, Giovanni Pernice was partnered with Sherlock star Abbington however the pair’s appearances have been lower brief when the latter, who has beforehand confronted controversy over feedback regarding drag reveals and trans people – for which she later apologised – stepped away from the competitors for “private causes”.
Reviews later surfaced that Abbington was looking for authorized recommendation in connection along with her time on the present.