Kristina:
Dancer Kristina Rihanoff speaks out in defence of her friend as he faces an investigation
CLOSER EXCLUSIVE!
As he was hit with fresh allegations over his conduct last week, Strictly Come Dancing’s Giovanni Pernice is fighting to keep his reputation intact. The Sicilian dancer fiercely denied claims of “abusive or threatening behaviour” as he faced an internal investigation following “numerous serious complaints” by three former contestants, who have hired a top legal firm.
One of the allegations is thought to be from Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington, who accused him of “bullying” and being “abrasive” and claimed that he stamped on her foot during training sessions in last year’s series.
SHOCKED
Backlash has also grown against the 33-year-old pro, with stars distancing themselves from him amid unconfirmed reports that he has quit the show. Stacey Dooley, who won the BBC competition in 2019 with nowboyfriend Kevin Clifton, said, “I don’t have a friendship with Giovanni. I hope all of the women involved are OK”. And Rose Ayling-Ellis, who won the competition with him in 2021, is said to be “really shocked” by the claims and has yet to lend her support to him publicly.
Following the scandal, it’s been reported that some of the Strictly professionals have raised concerns about the lack of detailed psychological assessments for new contestants, which shows such as Dancing On Ice routinely use.
Now former Strictly star Kristina Rihanoff –who worked alongside Giovanni on the show in 2015 and counts him a friend – shares her thoughts on the drama.
“I’m quite frankly stunned by the whole scandal. It’s definitely not like the Gio that I know,” she tells Closer. “Gio’s a really nice, friendly guy. I’ve danced with him and known him for around seven years. He’s never been a nightmare in any of our group rehearsals, just a hard-working professional. Gio does not try to please and he’s very driven by winning, like so many of the dancers. I was like that too! You’re there to do a job at the end of the day.”
BACKSTAGE FEUDS
Gio joined Strictly in 2015 and quickly became a fan favourite with his hunky looks, sexy moves and his love life away from the dance floor. Fans were delighted when he had a short-lived romance with his first celebrity partner, Georgia May Foote. He has also dated TOWIE’s Jess Wright, Love Island finalist Maura Higgins, ex-Pussycat Dolls singer Ashley Roberts and fellow Strictly dancer Jowita Przystal. He’s now with model Molly Brown.
Despite his impressive streak on Strictly –he holds the record for the most 10s ever awarded and has topped the leaderboard more than any other pro in the show’s 20-year history –Gio has had a dramatic fall from grace. Rumbling
