Giovanni Pernice spotted visiting high street casinos at 9.45am after Strictly axe and 'abuse' allegations
Strictly Come Dancing star Giovanni Pernice has been spotted visiting high street casinos at 9.45am after his axe from the hit BBC dance show amid ‘abuse' allegations.
It was confirmed last week that Giovanni will not return for the new series, on which he has performed for nine years. He joined the show in 2015 when he reached the grand final with Coronation Street actress Georgia May Foote.
The 33 year old Italian professional dancer has now been seen visiting two casinos in London before midday. Pictures show him first going to Silver Time Casino at 9:45am before leaving at 10:43am. He is then seen visiting Admiral Casino and Slots, departing around midday.
Giovanni is seen smoking a cigarette and looking down at his phone while stood outside the casinos, dressed in a causal outfit of a white T-shirt, black jogging bottoms and trainers. He later grabs a bite to eat, tucking into a pastry from Paul Bakery.
The pictures come after Strictly head judge Shirley Ballas defended Giovanni as a “true gentleman” amid claims of his 'abusive behaviour' on the show.
She spoke out in his defence after the BBC launched an internal investigation after receiving complaints from his previous celebrity dance partners and Giovanni denied any claims of "abusive or threatening behaviour”.
Breaking her silence on the matter, Shirley said she's never seen any inappropriate behaviour from him and expressed that he'll be sorely missed on the upcoming series of the BBC hit.
According to The Mirror, Shirley spoke out at a book event at this week, saying: "I know he is a hard worker. He wants the people to do the very best that they can do. Obviously in my life I was bullied a lot. I don't condone bullying on any path but also I don't believe gossip and what you read in the newspapers because things get escalated and they are blown way out of all proportion and it can turn into a great big snowball."
"So my feeling for Giovanni is, let them do this investigation or whatever it is they are doing and the truth will come out. So we don't judge anybody until I know absolutely 100 per cent. I won't pass on the gossip unless I know 100 per cent it is true. I have never ever, ever experienced any ill will or bad feeling or bad sportsmanship or rudeness from him. He will be missed."
Shirley also revealed she had been in touch with Giovanni just before the event, praising his kindness towards her mother during her cancer diagnosis, and mentioned she's set to join one of his 'Ballando' classes to teach the jive alongside fellow judge Anton Du Beke.
Giovanni himself this week dismissed allegations about his behaviour while working on Strictly as "simply false".
In a statement, he said he is "cooperating fully" with an ongoing BBC investigation and is looking forward to "clearing his name".
He said: “To my fans and followers. Every week, there are totally untrue stories about me in the media.
“As you know, I have always rejected any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour. The latest accusations are simply false. I am co-operating fully with the ongoing BBC investigation, which will determine the truth.
“As requested, I have stayed silent, but I am looking forward to the conclusion of the investigation and ultimately clearing my name and establishing the truth.
“I am so happy to be back on tour. Thank you all for your continued support – your messages and love mean so very much to me. I will hopefully see many of you very soon and I look forward to clearing my name. With love, Giovanni.”
He also previously denied the allegations in a statement in May.
