Former Strictly star Giovanni wins Italian dance show

Giovanni Pernice, a former professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing, has won an Italian dance show months after he left the UK following complaints about his behaviour on the show.

Pernice said his Ballando Con Le Stelle win with partner Bianca Guaccero, who is also his girlfriend, was a dream, adding: “after a difficult year I’m back”.

The show is Italy’s version of Strictly Come Dancing and its US spin-off Dancing With The Stars.

It comes after the BBC upheld “some, but not all” of the complaints made against him by his 2023 Strictly partner Amanda Abbington.

Pernice and Guaccero, who is an actress and singer, won the 19th season of Ballando Con Le Stelle, after performing dances including the Argentinian Tango and the Charleston.

The pair had recently confirmed their status as a romantic couple.

Italian-born Pernice shared several posts on Instagram about his win and thanked UK fans for their support.

In September, the BBC apologised to Pernice’s former partner Amanda Abbington and upheld findings of harassment and verbal bullying against him but he was cleared of allegations of physical aggression.

Abbington, who played Mary Morstan in Sherlock, has since said she felt vindicated and that she had “no regrets” after making the complaints.

Pernice said at the time he was “relieved that the allegations that I was threatening and abusive were found not to be true.”

On Instagram on Sunday, Pernice said: “We did it!! WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS !! after a difficult year.”

He added: “It felt amazing to be in the final again doing what I love – and then to win as well was a dream and definitely something I will never forget!”

The day before he addressed his “dear friends in the UK, saying that he and his partner could tell where the votes for the show were coming from as it is “all about likes on social media”.

Pernice wrote: “We just want to say a massive thank you, because realistically, we couldn’t do anything without you.

“We can totally see which part of the votes are coming from the UK and you are being unbelievably amazing.”