An emotional Giovanni Pernice recalled how his ‘world collapsed’ when his buddies deserted him following the allegations made by Amanda Abbington.
Addressing an viewers on Tuesday, the primary night time of his tour, Final Dance, on the Swan Theatre in Excessive Wycombe, the previous Strictly skilled spoke in between dances and opened up in regards to the scandal.
Reflecting on the time earlier than the Sherlock actress, 50, made her bombshell allegations, Giovanni, 34, mentioned: ‘I prefer to assume I grew to become fairly profitable. I used to be promoting out in every single place.
‘I used to be on a TV present with my finest buddy [Anton Du Beke] so I felt like I used to be on the high of my sport.
‘I used to be untouchable – a superhero. I felt like I had my military… my viewers. However destiny did have completely different plans for me.’
In July final 12 months, greater than six months after Amanda Abbington give up the BBC present citing ‘private causes’, the actress accused Pernice of ‘pointless, merciless and imply behaviour’ throughout their time dancing collectively on Strictly.
An emotional Giovanni Pernice recalled how his ‘world collapsed’ when his buddies deserted him following the allegations made by Amanda Abbington
the previous Strictly skilled spoke in between dances throughout the primary night time of his tour and opened up in regards to the scandal when Amanada Abbington accused him of bullying
Pernice rejected the claims instantly and a BBC investigation dominated in September that her claims of bodily aggression and threatening behaviour weren’t upheld.
However complaints of verbal bullying and harassment meant the BBC issued an apology however Giovanni mentioned he was ‘happy the report has not discovered any proof of threatening or abusive behaviour’.
Now cleared by the investigation and a dancer on the Italian model of Strictly, Giovanni is touring the UK and mentioned: ‘You most likely comprehend it hasn’t been the best 12 months for me. I am lastly capable of speak about it, I felt just like the world collapsed.
‘I did not have anyone round me. Individuals who have been purported to be my buddies disappeared.
‘I felt left alone. No one wished to see me. They did not need to be seen with me, as a result of individuals can be like, ‘Oh you are with him’.
The dancer went on to say there was at all times a voice in his head telling him he can be vindicated someday and the scandal can be over.
Giovanni additionally credited his ‘idol’ the Queen frontman, Freddie Mercury, and mentioned: ‘He would say to me, ‘Giovanni, don’t be concerned. No matter occurs, bear in mind, the present has to go on.’
However the actual supply of assist to the Italian dancer was his finest buddy and Strictly choose Anton Du Beke who continued to go on tour with Giovanni after the allegations from Amanda emerged – the pair will set off on their Collectively Once more tour this 12 months.
He mentioned: ‘I did not have anyone round me. Individuals who have been purported to be my buddies disappeared. ‘I felt left alone. No one wished to see me’
Amanda accused Pernice of ‘pointless, merciless and imply behaviour’ throughout their time dancing collectively on Strictly
The actual supply of assist to the Italian dancer was his finest buddy and Strictly choose Anton Du Beke who continued to go on tour with Giovanni after the allegations from Amanda emerged
Giovanni continued: ‘I am nonetheless standing and thank god I did that tour final 12 months with my finest buddy who was the assist of my life.’
Then pointing to Anton, 58, who was within the stalls watching, Giovanni requested the viewers to present him a ‘large applause’.
Ending off the present, the dancer mentioned: ‘Keep in mind this isn’t the final tour, that is the final dance as a result of I’ll be again in the summertime with my finest buddy on the perfect tour. I really like you a lot.’
