The dancer reveals mental health struggles after BBC controversy with Amanda Abbington
Category: Arts & Culture
Professional dancer Giovanni Pernice has publicly expressed his outrage against the BBC over its handling of his exit from *Strictly Come Dancing*, a situation he claims left him feeling suicidal. In an interview with *The Daily Telegraph*, Pernice, who has not appeared on the show since 2023, described being "hung out to dry" by the broadcaster following a tumultuous partnership with actress Amanda Abbington.
The fallout from Pernice's partnership with Abbington, best known for her role in *Sherlock*, escalated after she filed a complaint alleging inappropriate behavior and bullying during their five weeks together on the show. This complaint led to a BBC investigation, which partially upheld some of Abbington's concerns, though the specifics of the allegations deemed credible were never fully disclosed. The BBC did apologize to Abbington for her experience on the show, which remains one of the UK's most popular entertainment programs.
Pernice's claims of mistreatment by the BBC come as he reflects on his career, which began when he joined *Strictly* in 2015. He quickly became one of the show’s standout stars, winning the Glitterball Trophy in 2021 with dance partner Rose Ayling-Ellis. Their performance featured a poignant 18-second segment where the music faded to silence, highlighting Ayling-Ellis's deafness and leaving a lasting impression on audiences.
The controversy surrounding Pernice and Abbington began in 2023 when they were paired together on *Strictly*. Initially, their performances were well-received, and many anticipated that they would make it to the final. But after just five weeks, Abbington withdrew from the competition and later filed a complaint against Pernice, alleging 17 instances of bullying, abuse, and even physical violence.
Following the BBC's investigation, it was determined that none of the most severe allegations were upheld. Instead, six lesser complaints were validated, resulting in an apology and a five-figure payout to Abbington. Pernice, feeling a deep sense of injustice, argues that the media portrayal of the situation has severely damaged his reputation. He stated, "I feel they hung me out to dry to cover their backs. I was devastated by that." He has emphasized that most of the upheld complaints were related to swearing, including an incident where he allegedly threw his arms up and said "f***" during rehearsals.
In his forthcoming memoir, *Gio: Taking the Lead*, Pernice outlines his perspective on the events, asserting that he made concerted efforts to be supportive of Abbington throughout their time together. He expressed frustration that the BBC's public apology to Abbington seemed to validate the negative press surrounding him, leading to a belief that the allegations were true when, in his view, they were not.
The fallout from the controversy took a toll on Pernice's mental health. He described feeling as though there was no longer a place for him in the entertainment industry, leading him to contemplate suicide. "I was thinking, 'There’s no place for me any more in this industry. So what’s the point? Let's end this,'" he recounted. Pernice has been open about his struggles, which included depression and myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle that can mimic the symptoms of a heart attack.
His mental health crisis was exacerbated by the lack of support from the BBC, which he claims neglected his situation after his contract ended in December 2023. "They didn’t look after me," he said. "I’ve been with you for nine years, so you can look after me. If I’m sending an email saying that I’ve got myocarditis and depression, you can’t even reply to me and say, 'Oh, sorry if you feel a bit down'?" This lack of acknowledgment from the BBC left him feeling isolated and abandoned.
In the aftermath of these events, Pernice has sought to reclaim his career, returning to television in Italy where he won the local version of *Dancing with the Stars*, *Ballando con le Stelle*, in 2024. He has also found love with his celebrity partner, Italian actress Bianca Guaccero, marking a visible redemption after the turmoil he faced in the UK.
Pernice remains candid about the challenges he faced during this period, stating, "I was bullied by the newspapers – that’s for sure, very bullied. I felt that way every single day. They were writing stuff about me that was simply not true." He has drawn parallels between his experience and that of Caroline Flack, a friend and former *Strictly* contestant, whose tragic death in 2020 followed a similar media onslaught.
Looking ahead, Pernice is focused on sharing his story through his memoir, which is set to be published on August 27, 2024. He hopes that by recounting his experiences, he can shed light on the pressures faced by performers and the importance of mental health support in the entertainment industry. As he prepares to launch his book, he remains grateful for the support he has received from fans, noting that thousands of messages have encouraged him during his darkest days.
Giovanni Pernice's story serves as a reminder of the complex dynamics within the entertainment industry and the need for greater accountability and support for all involved.