Inside Strictly star Giovanni Pernice's new life after Strictly from marriage plans to TV comeback

Former Strictly Come Dancing star Giovanni Pernice parted ways with the show he loved earlier this year after a bitter feud with dance partner Amanda Abbington.

The Italian dancer left Strictly while the BBC probed claims he'd bullied 2023 partner Amanda Abbington. Giovanni, 34, vehemently denied the allegations and was ultimately cleared of nearly all abuse allegations in September after a six-month-long internal BBC investigation.

However, Amanda's complaints about verbal bullying and harassment were upheld, with the report concluding the dance champion's language towards his partner could be "belittling".

In the months since, Giovanni's life has changed dramatically. He recently emerged victorious from Ballando con le Stelle - the Italian version of Strictly - with a romance blossoming between himself and Bianca Guaccero. Having won Bianca's family's approval, talk of proposals is already on the cards, with Gio making his feelings for her abundantly clear.

Meanwhile, after a brief return to the Strictly ballroom for the show's 20th anniversary, Gio is gearing up for a 2025 tour, which will see him play some of the biggest venues in the UK. Here, the Mirror takes a look at what he's got going on...

New romance

Back in November, Giovanni confirmed his romance with Italian actress and singer Bianca Guaccero, with whom he was partnered on Ballando con le Stelle. The couple wowed on the dance floor, and it soon became evident that their ballroom chemistry continued behind the scenes.

On an episode that aired on Saturday, November 23, Giovanni shared: “Bianca is my priority. She has been my priority from the beginning. She is still my priority today and will be until the end of the show and beyond.” Appearing moved, Bianca replied: “Being someone's priority is something new for me. I have always been the one taking care of others."

She continued: 'It's an amazing feeling. It's something I'm discovering at the age of forty-three. Having someone next to me who is proud of me and is happy for my happiness is something new to me. This has never happened to me in my life."

It's understood the loved-up couple has already met each other's families, paying visits to their respective hometowns. In an interview with Italian TV presenter Monica Setta, which aired December 21, Bianca promised to overcome her fears and embrace her future with Giovanni. Addressing her dancer beau, Bianca pledged: "Dear Giovanni, I promise you to leave out all my fears, doubts and closures. The symbolic gift I put under the Christmas tree is to believe in our possibilities."

She added: "I had a heavy stone on my heart, I had difficulty believing in true love. When I met Giovanni, I felt at home, and I was in London with him and then 24 hours with my parents. I wanted to introduce him to the country and the people I love."

It would appear that Gio has charmed Bianca's family during his visit to Puglia, with Bianca's proud mother Rosa telling The Sun: "My daughter has always been very sensitive, she has faced many challenges with courage and I am proud of the woman she has become. I am very happy that she chose to take part in Ballando con le Stelle because this show has given her and is giving her so much, as a woman.

"Giovanni came down to meet me and my husband in Puglia, and I like him as a person. Bianca has never said it to me explicitly, but love doesn't need to be announced; you see it, and you feel it, and that is enough."

Meanwhile, as per the Mail Online, Gio has also made his strong feelings for Bianca known, stating: "After a long time, there is someone who takes care of me and cares about me. A woman like her has been missing from my life"

Marriage vow

Prior to their recent victory, Gio promised to "seriously consider" marrying Bianca, should they end up lifting the trophy together. When asked whether a certain question was on the cards prior to their stunning final performance, Gio cheekily declared: "If we win the show, I'll seriously think about it."

And although there's been no confirmation of a proposal, despite fans' social media sleuthing attempts, it's clear the pair were equally overjoyed with their joint win.

Gratitude to fans

In an Instagram post shared to celebrate his recent win, Gio thanked his fans for their "unbelievable" support over what has proven to be a "difficult year" career-wise.

Gio wrote: "We did it!! WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!! After a difficult year, I’m back. Thank you to each and every one of you who took the time to support Bianca and me over the last few months - it hasn’t gone unnoticed. We have done some incredible dances, and obviously, I'm very proud of what we achieved together!

"To everyone in the UK and Ireland - thank you so much. The constant support I have felt from you all over the last few months has been unbelievable! I see you all, and I’m so grateful to each and every one of you for being there last night and voting when needed - I know it was a lot."

Strictly plans

In the same celebratory post, Gio left fans theorising that he could soon be returning to Strictly, with his telling concluding sign-off of "I can’t wait to see you all again very soon!" leaving followers guessing.

Sparking rumours that he may well "soon" return to the BBC ballroom, Gio continued: "It felt amazing to be in the final again doing what I love - and then to win as well was a dream and definitely something I will never forget! Thank you for being there and being part of that with me. I can’t wait to see you all again very soon!"

Following months of controversy, Giovanni returned to Strictly on December 21, in a special episode celebrating the show's 20th anniversary. Although there has so far been no confirmation of a Strictly comeback for 2025, fans can catch him on tour, with the dancer kickstarting his Giovanni - The Last Dance tour in mid-January. The nationwide tour will begin in Hayes at the Beck Theatre, finishing up at the London Palladium.

Giovanni has previously confirmed that he'll be taking a "little break" after this upcoming tour. In a social media statement, he shared: "After performing in front of over half a million people for seven years in a row, I plan to take a little break after next year’s tour."

Return to British telly

Giovanni is set to return to British television in early 2025 for Channel 4’s Celebrity Hunted. This appearance will see Gio compete in the challenge show in aid of Stand Up To Cancer alongside stars such as Loose Women star Denise Welch and her husband Lincoln Townley, Blue singer Duncan James, and model Christine McGuinness.

The upcoming series, which involves an expert team of hunters tracking down celeb contestants, will air on Channel 4 at 9 pm on January 5. It will also feature former EastEnders star Danielle Harold, Coronation Street actress Kimberly Hart-Simpson, news reporters Simon McCoy and Lucrezia Millarini, podcaster David Whitely, and Celebrity Big Brother icon Zeze Millz.

Director of programmes for Shine TV, Matt Bennett, previously said: “There’s nothing more delicious than watching our much-loved celebrities turn fugitive and go on the run as they attempt to escape the hunters, all in aid of the excellent charity Stand Up To Cancer. This year, we have a stellar lineup who have truly kept the hunters on their toes.

“With dramatic escapes to daring captures, this season of Celebrity Hunted will keep the Channel 4 viewer on the edge of their sofas from one programme to the next. Jason Bourne would be proud of them all.”

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