It’s something of an understatement to say that Giovanni Pernice had a rollercoaster 2024.
As the 34-year-old was gearing up for his 10th year as a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing, it was announced that he wouldn’t be returning and, instead, an investigation would be launched into his conduct after allegations were made against him by Amanda Abbington, his celebrity partner from the 2023 series.
After months of uncertainty - that surely felt a hell of a lot more tense than waiting for Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman to announce the Strictly results on a Sunday night – Giovanni was cleared of 11 of the 17 claims (including the ‘most serious’) made against him – although six were upheld.
Not one to hold on to the past, Giovanni threw himself back into work, signing up as a pro on Ballando Con Le Stelle, Italy’s version of the show – and went on to win. In true Gio fashion, he even picked up a new girlfriend along the way when he started dating actress Bianca Guaccero, who he was partnered with.
And it’s Giovanni’s unflappable determination to push forward that greets heat on the phone as he opens up on his almost decade on Strictly, settling down with Bianca, and why he’s turning his back on touring…
2024 was full of ups and downs for you. How are you feeling at the end of it all?
It wasn’t the most pleasant situation for me, I’m very happy that it’s finished, and everybody can move on with their lives. I’ve done [Ballando Con Le Stelle], Italy’s equivalent of Strictly and was lucky enough to win. To have that feeling of winning and success was good for me.
Did you feel grateful for the support you received throughout it all?
It meant everything to me. As you can imagine, there were periods of time that were very hard so to have the support of the general public gave me a distraction and helped me carry on. As Freddie Mercury says, ‘The show must go on’, Freddie is my favourite artist of all time. The support was more that I could ask for.
Your former partners Michelle Visage and Debbie McGee spoke publicly in your defence, how important was that for you to hear?
It was amazing. These are people who are friends for life. It’s a friendship that is never going to end.
What were the low moments like?
It was just not the greatest feeling. I felt down, I felt lonely, all of those feelings. But I had to find the strength somehow and find somewhere to go forward.
When the Italian Strictly came along, did you have any reservations giving what you were going through?
No, when the offer came in, I was like, ‘Of course I want to do it’. I’d done Strictly for the past nine years so I just wanted to go on and do the same job, so I took the opportunity, I had an incredible partner, and we went on to win.
Were you worried that your partner might not have trusted you given what was going on at the time?
Well, if I’m being honest with you, once I knew the producers of the show gave me the contract, I knew that meant that they trusted me and who I am, so I never had a doubt about that. I was more worried on a personal level because as you can imagine, a lot of my friends – well, they’re not friends actually – turned their back on me because of what has gone on. So it was nice to be able to have the communication with people, because once the results came out, those people came back and I was like, ‘Hmm, this is not nice’. You know who your real friends are once you’re at your lowest and that’s what I missed the most throughout the whole period.
Have you lost friendships during this process then?
I wouldn’t say I’ve lost friendships, my closest friends stayed with me the whole way. But there were people in the industry who got scared to be associated with somebody who wasn’t having a very good time. But that’s the industry, it would happen in any line of work, so I don’t blame anybody.
Who did stick by you? Who are you still friends with from Strictly?
Lots of people, I’m obviously still in touch with my best friend, which is Anton Du Beke. All of the judges have been super supportive, I’m very close with Kai [Widdrington], we did Celebrity Hunted together, Lauren [Oakley], most of the professionals, I’m pretty much in touch with all of them. We’ve all spent a lot of time together and we’ve all built a nice friendship. We are a big family.
You’ve made new relationships too, and your Italian Strictly partner Bianca is now your girlfriend. What attracted you to her?
She came into my life during not the greatest time, so I needed that support. She was aware of the situation that was going on with me in the UK, but she was very supportive. She was there for me from the get-go, she was just what I needed. She is exactly what I wanted, a nice person next to me, I needed it. I needed support and she has given that to me.
How is your relationship going?
It’s even better since coming off the show because you get to know that person better. We’re not just getting to know each other through work, we’re getting to know each other in real life. It’s difficult because I’m based in the UK and she is based in Italy, she is very busy with what she does, and I am busy with my tour, but she is coming over to the UK any chance she can. In fact, she’s over here now. It’s nice, we’re making it work. I’m touring for the next seven months so we’re having to make sacrifices but we’re making it work.
You teased before the final that if you won you would propose. Did you?
This is Italian TV, they like to make a drama about everything. I said it as a joke. It hasn’t happened yet, no.
Is it on the cards though?
Who knows what the future holds? It’s early days.
Are you getting to the point where you want to settle down and start a family?
It’s never been the right time. We really have to pick and choose when the right time is to do these things, and it depends on if you’re with the right person. If Bianca is the right person to do this with then I’ll do it with Bianca but it’s too early for me to know if she is, it’s only been three months.
Did winning the show with Bianca restore your self-confidence?
100 per cent. As you can imagine, the lead up wasn’t the greatest moment of my career – or of my life – but winning have given me such a boost of confidence.
Would you be open to returning to Strictly or have you closed that chapter?
I would love to go back on Strictly, but I don’t think they’re going to have me back.
Your name gets brought up a lot when rumours of Celebrity Big Brother or I’m A Celebrity come around. Would you consider doing either of those?
I love I’m A Celeb, I’ve always been a big fan of the show, it’s one of my favourites. But it is filmed the same time as Strictly and the Italian show so I’m not sure the timing will ever be right.
Are there any other shows you’d love to do?
Definitely not MasterChef or Bake Off, I can’t cook or bake. I’d like to do Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins. The other show I love as well is The Traitors, they’re making a celebrity version so who knows?
You’re back on tour in the UK with The Last Dance. What can people expect from the show?
It’s my last tour so you can expect me to go big or go home. I want to get out there and do the biggest thing I’ve ever done. People that have been to see me before know what to expect, lots of dancing, singing, a bit of comedy, it’s a bit of everything. I like to call myself an entertainer, that’s what I love to do the most, entertain people.
Why have you decided this is going to be your last solo tour?
After 10 years I think my body needs a bit of rest and then, like the popstars, I can always do a comeback tour. There’s always got to be a comeback tour.
So, this isn’t a retirement?
No, oh God no, I’m too young for that.
Will Bianca be coming to see the show when she’s in the UK?
Of course, every time she’s free she’s going to come and see the show. She’s going to be sick of it because of how much she’s going to see it.
You’re reuniting with Anton for a tour later this year too. Are you looking forward to reuniting with him?
I can’t wait. He’s my best friend; I don’t even consider it as a job. I just get to go around the UK with my best friend.
What do you have planned once you’ve finished touring?
I’m going to try and explore new things, let’s see what’s out there. It’s quite far away though, my focus at the moment is just these seven months of touring. When it’s done, I will have a nice break and go for a nice holiday somewhere and then once September is here… Jesus we’re already in September, we have raced through the year!
Is there anything else you’d like to try your hand at?
I love acting. I’d like to take some proper acting lessons or singing lessons. I just want to see what is out there, for the past 10 years I’ve done a tour, then Strictly, then a tour, then Strictly, so I need to take time for myself to digest and explore what’s out there.
Giovanni’s tour, The Last Dance, is touring the UK now - for tickets please go to giovannipernice.com