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jungle talk
Giovanni Pernice in talks for I’m A Celebrity as he’s lined up for jungle after quitting Strictly
Gio has faced allegations from previous partners on the BBC show, including Amanda Abbington
GIOVANNI Pernice has been lined up for I’m A Celebrity after it was revealed that he has decided to step back from Strictly Come Dancing.
The Italian dancer, 33, has been in talks with ITV about his options after telling pals he is seeking roles on other TV shows.
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It comes as Giovanni faces fresh claims about his teaching methods on Strictly after it was revealed the BBC is investigating complaints from three contestants.
But I'm A Celebrity insiders say bosses are desperate to get him board for the ITV hit and are just waiting for him to sign on the dotted line.
A source said: "Giovanni would be perfect for the jungle.
"ITV bosses have wanted him for years and now he is finally free. Everyone is really eager to get him on board - he really would be ideal for those jungle showers.
Read more on Giovanni Pernice
"They are expected to offer him big money and he's unlikely to turn it down really.
"He'll have finished touring and will have those months free now he's not doing Strictly.
"It's definitely a very tempting offer and will be surprise if he turns it down."
ITV declined to comment.
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He would be ideal for those jungle showers
TV insiders
The dancer has appeared in a number of other shows such as Anton & Giovanni's Adventures in Sicily, which aired in 2023.
The pair then travelled to Spain for Anton and Giovanni's Adventures in Spain, which aired this year.
Giovanni, who joined the BBC competition in 2015, has recently faced a number of allegations over his tough training methods from the likes of previous partner Amanda Abbington, 52.
This Morning's host slams Strictly for pairing Giovanni with wrong celeb after he announces shock exit
Actress Amanda quit the dance competition after she missed a week for to undisclosed medical reasons.
Just weeks prior there were reports that the pair had been "feuding".
The star allegedly told pals that her relationship with Gio left her suffering with PTSD.
Last night a source told The Sun: “Gio feels the scrutiny on him has become too much, and now is the time to make a fresh start.
“He wants to focus on other TV projects, and feels he’s achieved all he can on Strictly, having won the trophy back in 2021 and reaching the final an unprecedented four times.
“He remains adamant he’s done nothing wrong other than being a hard taskmaster, but knows his style of training isn’t to everyone’s liking — especially in this day and age.
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“He has a lot of other exciting projects in the pipeline right now, and he’s just super-excited to get cracking on them.
"This, now, is his priority.”
READ MORE SUN STORIES
He wants to focus on other TV projects, and feels he’s achieved all he can on Strictly
A source
Last month Giovanni was going to have crunch talks with the BBC over his future on the dance competition.
Four previous celebrity partners had spoken out about his 'tough 'militant' training, including Ranvir Singh, Laura Whitmore and Faye Tozer.
Chance to shine solo
NEWS to make a million housewives’ hearts break; but the right news.
After months of fevered speculation concerning his “vigorous” training methods, Giovanni Pernice has cut his losses, and quit the show that made him a household name. (And, as mentioned, a housewives’ favourite).
Frankly, Gio’s position on Strictly had become untenable.
One unhappy celebrity partner is unlucky. Four is unacceptable.
By all accounts, away from the dance floor, Giovanni is nice chap.
Certainly, he was, for many years, a hugely popular figure behind the scenes.
But since Amanda Abbington very publicly quit the show, citing “private medical reasons”- which she later elaborated was PTSD, from the stress of training up to 10 hours a day with Gio - his popularity with fellow pros is understandably on the wane.
No-one wants to be associated with a headline-stealing taskmaster, one who makes his partners cry.
In his defence, Giovanni is a passionate Sicilian, one who grew up in dance schools where crying through exhaustion was the norm. This was his norm.
But in 2024, on a glossy, Saturday night celebrity dance show, this isn’t normal.
He’s an incredibly good-looking, charming and talented performer - he has already been flooded with “exciting TV offers”.
This, then, is Gio’s cha-cha-chance to shine, solo, and win over a whole new legion of fans… not just the housewives.
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