
Giovanni Pernice – Latest – Tour Scandal and TV Comeback
Giovanni Pernice remains one of the most talked-about figures in British entertainment, even as his time on Strictly Come Dancing has come to an end. The Italian dancer, who won the show in 2021 and has been a fan favourite since 2014, is navigating a period defined by a major tour, serious allegations, and a reported television comeback. His professional and personal life continues to draw significant public attention.
He stepped away from the BBC programme under a cloud of controversy following an internal investigation into complaints made by his former celebrity partner Amanda Abbington. While that chapter concluded without a publicly released outcome, Pernice has kept busy. He is currently headlining his 2025 tour, The Last Dance, and has given his first major interview to OK! Magazine in early 2026 regarding a new TV project. His relationship with a woman named Bianca also remains a topic of strong interest among fans and tabloids alike.
Below we break down the confirmed facts, the rumours, and the significant milestones surrounding Giovanni Pernice, from his Strictly career to his current ventures and the ongoing questions that remain unanswered.
What Is the Latest News About Giovanni Pernice?
As of January 2026, the most significant update regarding Giovanni Pernice comes from an exclusive interview he gave to OK! Magazine, where he announced a television comeback. According to the report published on 31 January 2026, Pernice is returning to screens with a new project alongside a co-star from the ITV daytime show Loose Women. While details about the format remain sparse, the interview marks his first major public statement in months.
Alongside the TV news, Pernice continues to tour the UK with his stage show The Last Dance. The tour, which began in 2025, includes a stop at the London Palladium, one of the country’s most prestigious venues. On social media, his official Instagram account remains active with posts promoting tour dates and behind-the-scenes content, though he has not directly addressed the bullying allegations publicly beyond his earlier denials.
Quick Overview: Where Things Stand Now
- Latest News: TV comeback announced with a Loose Women co-star (OK! Magazine, January 2026).
- Relationship: Currently linked to a woman named Bianca; no official statement from him or representatives.
- Tour: The Last Dance touring the UK in 2025, including the London Palladium.
- Scandal: BBC investigation into Amanda Abbington’s bullying allegations concluded; outcome has not been made public.
Key Insights About Giovanni Pernice’s Current Situation
- Giovanni Pernice remains a high-interest public figure, driven equally by his dance career and the controversy surrounding his Strictly exit.
- Speculation about his relationship with Bianca is driving significant search traffic, yet no official confirmation of the relationship has been provided.
- The results of the BBC investigation have not been disclosed, creating a vacuum of uncertainty that fuels continued media coverage.
- His Instagram and fan-run social media accounts are the primary sources for day-to-day updates, though these lack independent journalistic verification.
- Search volume around his specific controversies is moderate but persistent, suggesting a loyal audience interested in detailed, fact-based coverage.
Giovanni Pernice: Essential Background Facts
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Giovanni Pernice |
| Date of Birth | 5 September 1990 |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Profession | Professional dancer, TV personality |
| Known For | Strictly Come Dancing (2014–2023) |
| Strictly Win | 2021 with Rose Ayling-Ellis |
| BAFTA | 2022 for Best Must-See TV Moment (silent dance) |
| Current Tour | The Last Dance (2025) |
| Recent News | TV comeback reveal (OK! Magazine, January 2026) |
| Relationship Status | Rumoured girlfriend Bianca; not married |
| Scandal | Bullying allegations by Amanda Abbington; BBC investigation concluded |
Who Is Giovanni Pernice’s Girlfriend Bianca?
Rumours of a romantic relationship between Giovanni Pernice and a woman named Bianca have been circulating in tabloids and on social media for several months. However, as of this article’s publication, neither Pernice nor his representatives have issued an official statement confirming the relationship. The name Bianca appears frequently in fan forums and on the fan-run X (formerly Twitter) account Giovanni Pernice fan updates on X, but concrete, verified details remain scarce.
The uncertainty surrounding his romantic life is part of a broader pattern. Throughout his time in the public eye, Pernice has largely kept his private life guarded. The most high-profile association he has had was with his Strictly partner Rose Ayling-Ellis, with whom he shared a close friendship that sparked persistent dating rumours. Both parties have consistently stated their relationship was platonic.
The only confirmed romantic connection attributed to Giovanni Pernice in mainstream reporting is the unverified relationship with Bianca. He has never been married. The strong public interest in this topic is not matched by available credible information, which remains thin.
What Is the Giovanni Pernice Tour ‘The Last Dance’?
Giovanni Pernice is currently touring the UK with his stage production titled The Last Dance. The tour, which began in 2025, sees the professional dancer perform live across multiple venues. It is his first major tour since leaving the Strictly Come Dancing lineup.
A prominent date includes a performance at the London Palladium, a venue operated by LW Theatres. According to the official LW Theatres – The Last Dance tour page, tickets for the London show have been on sale. St George’s Hall in Bradford was also scheduled as a venue for February 12, 2025.
Pernice won a BAFTA TV Award in 2022 alongside Rose Ayling-Ellis for their silent dance routine on Strictly, which was voted the Must-See TV Moment of the year. That moment remains a high point of his career and is often referenced in promotional material for The Last Dance.
What Happened Between Giovanni Pernice and Amanda Abbington?
The central controversy surrounding Giovanni Pernice involves allegations of bullying behaviour made by his 2023 Strictly partner, actress Amanda Abbington. Abbington left the competition in October 2023, citing medical reasons. Shortly after, reports emerged in the British press claiming that she had lodged complaints about Pernice’s conduct during rehearsals.
The BBC launched an internal investigation into the allegations. The inquiry has since concluded, but its findings have not been made public. Giovanni Pernice has consistently and publicly denied any wrongdoing. The controversy led to his absence from the 2024 and 2025 Strictly professional dancer lineups, effectively ending his ten-year run on the show.
There has been no further legal action confirmed by either party. The Mirror collection page for Giovanni Pernice provides a running archive of news reports that track the timeline of this story from Abbington’s exit through the investigation period.
Allegations have been made. Giovanni Pernice has denied them. The BBC investigation has concluded, but the findings remain unpublished. There is no publicly available verdict that confirms or denies the specific claims. At this stage, the matter is unresolved in the public sphere.
Giovanni Pernice: Key Events Timeline
The timeline below captures the most important events in Giovanni Pernice’s career and recent controversy, drawn from multiple verified reports.
- 2014–2023: Serves as a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing.
- 2021: Wins the Glitterball Trophy with partner Rose Ayling-Ellis; their silent dance becomes an iconic television moment.
- 2022: Wins a BAFTA TV Award for the Must-See Moment category for the silent dance.
- October 2023: Amanda Abbington withdraws from Strictly Come Dancing, citing medical reasons.
- Late 2023: Reports surface in UK media alleging Amanda Abbington has made bullying complaints against Pernice.
- 2024: The BBC launches an official investigation. Pernice is not included in the Strictly professional lineup for the 2024 series.
- 2025: Pernice announces his UK tour The Last Dance. He continues to deny all allegations.
- January 2026: Gives an interview to OK! Magazine revealing a TV comeback with a Loose Women co-star.
What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unanswered?
Separating fact from speculation is essential when following a story that has developed largely through media reports and social media chatter. Below we have broken down the information into two categories.
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Giovanni Pernice is a professional dancer who won Strictly Come Dancing in 2021 with Rose Ayling-Ellis. | The specific outcome of the BBC investigation into Amanda Abbington’s complaints. |
| He was investigated by the BBC following complaints from Amanda Abbington. | Whether he is currently in a confirmed relationship with a woman named Bianca. |
| He is touring the UK in 2025 with a show titled The Last Dance. | Whether he will return to Strictly Come Dancing in any future series. |
| He has not appeared on Strictly since the 2023 series. | Full details of his reported TV comeback project, which has only been reported by OK! Magazine so far. |
What Is the Broader Context of This Story?
The Giovanni Pernice story exists at the intersection of celebrity gossip, reality television drama, and questions of media accountability. The BBC, as a publicly funded broadcaster, faced pressure to investigate the allegations thoroughly given the show’s immense popularity. The lack of a public outcome has not helped curb speculation, leaving room for both Pernice’s defenders and his critics to fill the void with their own narratives.
Pernice is not the first Strictly professional to face controversy. Past departures, such as those of Brendan Cole and Anton Du Beke (who later returned as a judge), show a pattern of professional fallout followed by eventual industry reinvention. Pernice’s current touring activity and reported TV project suggest he is pursuing a similar path of staying visible within the entertainment industry despite the cloud of allegations.
What Have the Key Sources Reported?
The most direct source of information about Pernice’s current plans is his interview with OK! Magazine, which broke the news of his television comeback in January 2026. For ongoing coverage of the scandal timeline, the Mirror has provided a steady stream of reports. Official statements from the BBC regarding the investigation have been minimal, which limits what can be definitively stated. For live updates on his professional appearances, his Official Instagram @giovannipernice remains the most direct channel, albeit one that is curated by him and his team.
“I have always denied the allegations and I continue to deny them. I am looking forward to my new projects.”
— Giovanni Pernice, as reported in OK! Magazine (January 2026)
What’s Next for Giovanni Pernice?
Looking ahead, the next major developments are likely to come from three areas. First, the physical tour of The Last Dance across the UK will generate reviews and audience reactions throughout 2025. Second, his reported TV comeback should receive official confirmation from a broadcaster if it proceeds. Third, there remains a possibility that the BBC investigation findings could be released, or that further legal steps could be taken by either party, which would significantly alter the public narrative. Until then, his Instagram output and occasional tabloid interviews will remain the main sources of new information. For a broader look at similar stories, you can read our guide on the Strictly Come Dancing scandal explained.
Frequently Asked Questions About Giovanni Pernice
Is Giovanni Pernice married?
No, Giovanni Pernice is not married. He has been linked to dancer Rose Ayling-Ellis (2021) and more recently to Bianca, but no marriage or official confirmation of a relationship has been made.
What did the BBC investigation find about Giovanni Pernice?
The BBC conducted an investigation into bullying allegations made by Amanda Abbington. The outcome has not been made public. Giovanni Pernice has consistently denied the claims.
Who is Rose Ayling-Ellis?
Rose Ayling-Ellis is a British actress and the deaf dancer who won Strictly Come Dancing with Giovanni Pernice in 2021. They shared a close friendship but were never romantically involved.
Did Giovanni Pernice win a BAFTA?
Yes, Giovanni Pernice won a BAFTA TV Award in 2022 for the ‘Must-See TV Moment’ category for the silent dance with Rose Ayling-Ellis on Strictly Come Dancing.
What is Giovanni Pernice’s net worth?
Exact net worth is not publicly known. Various estimates from entertainment sources range from £1 to £3 million based on his Strictly earnings, tour revenues, and endorsements.
Is Giovanni Pernice coming back to Strictly Come Dancing?
As of 2025, Giovanni Pernice has not been announced for the Strictly professional lineup. He is currently focusing on his UK tour and a reported TV comeback project.