Giovanni Pernice stands by strict methods as he reveals upset at not winning the Glitterball with ‘brilliant’ Amanda

GIOVANNI Pernice returned to British television today for the first time since the conclusion of a Strictly Come Dancing investigation into his conduct.

Appearing on Lorraine, hosted by Christine Lampard, a suited Giovanni, 34, vowed to set the record straight on his feud with Amanda Abbington and repeatedly said he was relieved and happy with the findings, which upheld six of 17 complaints made against him.

He said: "When you have somebody in your hands, like Amanda, she was brilliant and unbelievable at dancing.

"I’m upset because we could have made it all the way to the final. My job is to take everything out of my partner. It’s in the public domain, the fact I’m a strict teacher. If you want to achieve greatness, I think this is the right way to do.”

He denied ever clashing with the actress in the rehearsal room, despite her claims he made offensive comments towards her.

"The investigation didn’t find me a bully," he said. "Bully is a big word, there’s a big difference between bullying and caring about what you do.

"All I had was 'Giovanni you’re an amazing teacher, Giovanni you’re great'."

He continued : "At that time everything was perfect, me and Amanda Abbington never had an argument."

The dancer said he would like to have a cup of tea with Amanda and discuss what happened between them in a civil way.

He reflected on his career successes, including lifting the Glitterball with Rose Ayling-Ellis and his current leaderboard topping run on the Italian version of the show, to justify his methods.

He said: "Teaching the way I teach is the successful way to approach this."

He added: "If you come to the room with me and go ‘you really want to win this’, I will do everything in my power to win this.

"If you suddenly change this and don’t tell me that, there’s nothing I can do. I don’t read minds.

"I’m very, very competitive. I will make sure I will do everything to get out the best of you."

Giovanni refused to answer if he still has a future on Strictly, instead responding that he was busy with his work in Italy and his upcoming theatre tour.

A spokesperson for Amanda told The Sun: "Mr Pernice’s claim that 'everything in the rehearsal room worked perfectly' is false and delusional, and underlines the toxic culture Ms Abbington endured on Strictly Come Dancing.

"The BBC’s own investigation concluded that Mr Pernice was in breach of multiple BBC Policies, including repeated breaches of the Anti-Bullying and Harassment Policy.

"Mr Pernice was spoken to by the BBC on several occasions about his misconduct - but his behaviour only continued. At no time did Ms Abbington regard his verbal abuse or inappropriate behaviour as banter.

"This is precisely the kind of gaslighting behaviour which victims of bullying and harassment often have to endure: it’s these people Ms Abbington will continue to speak up for."

Yesterday, the Italian star admitted he "wanted to punch the TV" when watching Amanda discussing claims made against him.

In a new interview, Giovanni said he "sobbed" when he heard the actress was to appear on Channel 4 to claim her bullying allegations were 'of a sexual nature'.

Amanda's interview with Krishnan Guru-Murthy, who had competed alongside her in the 2023 series of Strictly, aired in July.

Giovanni has now broken his silence after the BBC finally cleared him of 10 of the 16 allegations the Sherlock actress had made against him.

The ex Strictly pro told : "I wanted to punch the television. I didn't watch it, I couldn't watch the interview because I was thinking, 'Why would you talk on live TV when we've both been asked not to talk about it?'

"My Sicilian blood would rise up and I'd think, 'This isn't the truth' - but I had to remain silent."

Amanda's interview with Krishnan aired three months in to the BBC's £250,000 investigation, which wrapped up in September.

Giovanni said the televised chat on Channel 4 in July was the first time there had been a mention of anything "sexual".

"Of course, I was worried it could destroy my career – the people that come to my shows are kids and women," he added to the publication.

Giovanni was partnered with Amanda on the 2023 series of Strictly Come Dancing.

But she departed in week six, citing medical reasons. Amanda later accused Giovanni of bullying - which he vehemently denies.

Giovanni decided to quit Strictly in May after nine years on the BBC dancing show.

It came as he faced allegations over his training methods with his former celebrity partners, including Amanda.

Last month, the BBC published the findings of its five-month investigation into the alleged scandal.

Giovanni was cleared of 10 of the 16 allegations made against him.

It did, however, find instances of the professional dancer using “belittling” language towards her, and the Beeb apologised to Amanda.

Giovanni will be appearing on ITV's Lorraine to discuss the bullying probe and its outcome on Tuesday morning (October 22).

A TV source told The Sun: “Amanda has conducted a number of interviews throughout the investigation on high-profile platforms like Channel 4 News but Giovanni was not able to do so as a BBC employee.

“Now it is complete, Giovanni is able to discuss certain things but most importantly, move forward with his career.

“He will chat to Lorraine about his upcoming solo tour The Last Dance and run of new dates for his gigs with Anton Du Beke.”

Giovanni is currently taking part in Italy's version of Strictly Come Dancing.

He relocated to Italy as Amanda spoke out about her ordeal on Newsnight following the BBC investigation.

She claimed her nightmare rehearsals with Gio got so bad she was actually relieved when a cancer scare meant she could quit the show.

The BBC apologised to the actress as she revealed her experience with him was “morbid and toxic".

Meanwhile, Giovanni is due to make a brief return to Strictly in a one-off special celebrating the show's 20 years on screen.

In December's anniversary special, he will appear in footage from 2021 dancing with EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis, who was the first deaf winner of Strictly Come Dancing.