Fuming Strictly pros shocked and hurt after Giovanni Pernice slams them in new book and reveals ‘horrific rows’

STRICTLY’S pro dancers have been left shocked and hurt after ex-colleague Giovanni Pernice slated them in his new autobiography. The Italian ballroom star said he felt abandoned by the group when he was axed from the show in 2024 following bullying complaints by actress Amanda Abbington. Italian ballroom star Giovanni Pernice has said he felt abandoned when was axed from Strictly Credit: Ian West/PA Wire Giovanni has slated Strictly pros in his new autobiography Credit: Unknown Writing in Gio: Taking The Lead, the 35-year-old added that pro dancers “drink before the live show” while some engaged in horrific rows. A source said: “Many of them have been taken aback by the things that Giovanni has accused them of. Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! “He has started a guessing game now with his allegations and all of them have been tarnished. “Some feel that he is trying to bring them down with him. Read more on Giovanni Pernice “They are doing their best to stay focused on the new series and can’t publicly comment on his claims, but it’s certainly left bad blood between them. “Ironically, many of them still follow Gio on Instagram, and vice versa, and no one wants to be accused of snubbing him further. “The book has just made a difficult situation ten times worse. “The pros have been back in rehearsals over the last few weeks and even though there has been some chat about the book, they’ve been trying to focus on the new show. Most read in TV Giovanni was axed from Strictly in 2024 following bullying complaints by actress Amanda Abbington Credit: GC Images Dancer Giovanni has defended his behaviour towards Amanda Credit: PA “They’ve all got a job to do at the end of day.” Meanwhile, Strictly judges Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke have been publicly supporting Giovanni’s book by liking his posts on Instagram. Defending his behaviour towards Amanda, the dancer wrote: “There are still people on Strictly whose behaviour is far worse. “One choreographer has been bullying, screaming at all the pro dancers, for years. Others drink before the live show.” He added: “Even when we were on tour, tensions could run pretty high. There was once one horrific argument on the tour bus between a male and female pro. “She had said something about his performance that didn’t land very well. “He was drunk and started screaming and shouting at her, in front of all the other pros, the celebrities and the producers. She was left in floods of tears. “But on the whole, screaming rows are rare. The resentments tend to come out in a more bitchy, backstabbing way, whispers behind the back and comments to the producers. “On the show, we had been constantly told we were a ‘family’, suggesting a happy bunch who all look out for each other. The reality was very different. “In my darkest days, there was no ‘family’. With the exception of the judges, it felt that they all turned their backs and looked the other way. “There were a handful I had thought were good friends who went very quiet. I felt hugely betrayed by those I’d been closest to.” Amanda last weekend gave a statement regarding the memoir, which also claims she did a Nazi salute in front of him. Amanda last weekend gave a statement regarding the memoir Credit: PA Giovanni claims the actress did a Nazi salute in front of him Credit: PA She said: “It’s sad, though not surprising, that Giovanni is continuing down this route. He is grossly mischaracterising what happened to suit his own narrative.” Earlier this month, The Sun on Sunday revealed the BBC paid her a five-figure out-of-court settlement after her legal complaint over alleged mistreatment by Giovanni. The BBC upheld some of her claims and apologised to her after a five-month inquiry. Strictly will be back for its new series in September, with bosses planning a tribute to Dolly Parton, who died aged 80 earlier this week. Tipped to star in it is Gavin & Stacey actress Melanie Walters, who played Gwen West and will be a contestant in the series. In one episode, her character was surprised with a birthday barn dance by Ruth Jones as Nessa and Rob Brydon as Uncle Bryn performing Dolly and Kenny Rogers’ hit Islands In The Stream. Comment now