Wikipedia

Giovanni Pernice

Giovanni Pernice (born 5 September 1990) is an Italian professional dancer based in the United Kingdom, best known for his appearances on the British television show Strictly Come Dancing. He is also an Italian Open Latin Dance Champion (2012), and the Guinness World Record holder for Jive kicks and flicks, as well as Charleston swivels.[1]

Giovanni Pernice
Born (1990-09-05) 5 September 1990 (age 34)
Palermo, Sicily, Italy
OccupationProfessional dancer
Known forStrictly Come Dancing
Height1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)

On 10 June 2024, following "numerous serious complaints" about his behaviour while coaching his dance partners in Strictly, his departure from the show was confirmed by the BBC.

Early life

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Pernice was born on 5 September 1990 in Sicily,[2] and at the age of 14 he moved to Bologna to concentrate on dance.[3][4][5] He chose to become a dancer after watching the British ballroom dance television show Come Dancing.[6] Specialising in Latin style, Pernice has won a number of competitions, most notably, the Italian Open Championship in 2012.[7][8]

Pernice is a member of the Federazione Italiana Danza Sportiva, part of the World DanceSport Federation, and he competed at Youth and Adult levels between 2007 and 2014. Other notable results include coming second place in the International Open Latin in Slovenia in 2014, and wins in other Open competitions in Pieve di Cento, Italy (2011); Ancona, Italy (2011); San Marino (2011) and Sant Cugat del Vallès, Spain (2011). His competition dance partners include Erika Attisano (2011–2014) and Alexandra Koldan (2014–2015).[9]

Career

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Strictly Come Dancing

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Main article: Strictly Come Dancing

In 2015, Pernice appeared as a professional dancer on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing for the first time in its thirteenth series. He was partnered with former Coronation Street actress Georgia May Foote. They reached the final of the competition but finished as joint runners-up alongside Kellie Bright and her professional partner, Kevin Clifton.[10]

In 2016, Pernice returned to Strictly Come Dancing for its fourteenth series. He was partnered with television presenter Laura Whitmore. They were eliminated in Week 7 in a dance-off with Ore Oduba and Joanne Clifton, the eventual Series 14 champions, and finished in 9th place.[11]

In 2017, Pernice returned to Strictly Come Dancing as a professional dancer for its fifteenth series.[12] His celebrity partner was Debbie McGee, a television and radio presenter and former ballet dancer.[13] They reached the final of the competition, finishing as joint runners-up alongside Alexandra Burke and her professional partner Gorka Márquez, and Gemma Atkinson and her professional partner Aljaž Škorjanec.[14]

In 2018, Pernice competed in the sixteenth series of Strictly Come Dancing, partnered with Steps singer Faye Tozer.[15] For the third time in four years, Pernice reached the final, finishing as joint runners-up alongside Joe Sugg and his professional partner Dianne Buswell, and Ashley Roberts and her professional partner Pasha Kovalev.[16]

In 2019, Pernice was partnered with television and radio personality Michelle Visage for the show's seventeenth series. They reached week 9 of the competition, before being eliminated in a dance-off with Saffron Barker and AJ Pritchard.[17]

In 2020, Pernice reached the semi-final of the eighteenth series with his partner Ranvir Singh, before being eliminated in a dance off with Jamie Laing and Karen Hauer.[18]

In 2021, Pernice won the nineteenth series of Strictly Come Dancing, with EastEnders actress, Rose Ayling-Ellis. Ayling-Ellis was the first deaf contestant to appear on the show. In the series’ Halloween special, Ayling-Ellis and Pernice received the earliest 40 throughout Strictly history with their Tango. The pair also received an 'Unmissables' Award from Heat for the silent moment in their Couple's Choice routine.[19]

In 2022, Pernice was partnered with television and radio presenter Richie Anderson. They were eliminated in week 3, making it the earliest week Pernice has ever been eliminated in.

In 2023, Pernice was partnered with actress Amanda Abbington. On 20 October 2023, it was announced that for medical reasons, Abbington and Pernice would have to miss that Saturday's appearance on the show. She withdrew from the competition three days later.[20]

As a Strictly professional dancer, Pernice holds the record for most tens ever awarded, with a total of 97. He has topped the weekly Strictly leaderboard more times than any other pro in the history of the show. He is also informally known as 'The King of Halloween', as he has topped the leaderboard during Halloween Week for every series he has competed in and still been in the competition during the Halloween Special.

Pernice has also appeared on a number of episodes of BBC Two's Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two. Pernice is the current Guinness World Record holder for Jive kicks and flicks, performing 55 in 30 seconds in a challenge held in December 2016. The next year, in December 2017, he broke the world record for the most Charleston swivel steps in 30 seconds, correctly completing 24. Both records were achieved on It Takes Two with supervision by Guinness World Records.[21]

Strictly Come Dancing Complaint

In January 2024, The Sun reported that Amanda Abbington had requested footage of her time training with Pernice and was seeking legal advice over his training methods;[22] that month, Debbie McGee shared a post in support of Pernice on X (formerly Twitter).[23] In March 2024, The Sun said that Abbington, Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh had met to discuss their negative experiences with Pernice on the show.[24] Legal firm Carter Ruck told BBC News there were "numerous serious complaints" about his behaviour while filming Strictly.[25] On 16 May, it was reported by The Sun that Pernice had quit the show.[26] Pernice denied all accusations of wrongdoing.[25] His departure was confirmed by the BBC on 10 June.[27]

It was reported in September 2024 that the BBC had issued an apology to Amanda Abbington and upheld her complaints of verbal bullying and harassment against Pernice, but rejected allegations of physical aggression. Abbington, known for her role in Sherlock, described the apology as a "vindication" and expressed hope that it would encourage others to speak out.[28]

Pernice, however, maintained that he had always strongly denied any wrongdoing and expressed relief that the more serious accusations were dismissed. The BBC acknowledged that while the production team had taken steps to address the issues, these measures were ultimately deemed inadequate, prompting a review of their internal protocols.[29]

Ballando con le Stelle

In September 2024, he was confirmed as a professional partner for Series 19 of Ballando con le Stelle, the Italian version of Strictly.[30]

Highest and lowest scoring performances per dance

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Strictly Come Dancing Performances

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Main article: Strictly Come Dancing
Series Partner Place Average
Score
13 Georgia May Foote 2nd 33.8
14 Laura Whitmore 9th 31.3
15 Debbie McGee 2nd 35.4
16 Faye Tozer 36.5
17 Michelle Visage 7th 33.1
18 Ranvir Singh 5th 31.3
19 Rose Ayling-Ellis 1st 35.4
20 Richie Anderson 14th 27.3
21 Amanda Abbington 11th 30.5

Series 13: with Georgia May Foote

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The couple were runners-up.

Series 14; with Laura Whitmore

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Due to an ankle injury, Whitmore was unable to dance in week 5 and the couple were given a bye to progress to the next week. The couple were eliminated in week 7.

Series 15; with Debbie McGee

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The couple were runners-up.

Series 16; with Faye Tozer

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The couple were runners-up.

  • Green number indicates Faye & Giovanni were at the top of the leaderboard.

Series 17; with Michelle Visage

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The couple were eliminated in week 9, at Blackpool.

  • Green number indicates Michelle & Giovanni were at the top of the leaderboard
  • Red number indicates Michelle & Giovanni were at the bottom of the leaderboard

Series 18; with Ranvir Singh

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The couple were eliminated in week 8.

1 Score from guest judge Anton du Beke

Series 19; with Rose Ayling-Ellis

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The Couple's Choice dance with Rose Ayling-Ellis, in week 8, featured a period of silence, included as a tribute to the deaf community. Judge Anton Du Beke described it as "the greatest thing I've ever seen on the show".[31][32] it earned them the 2021 Heat Unmissables Award for TV Moment of the Year.[33] On 18 December 2021 the couple were the series winners; it was the first win for Pernice.[34]

  • Green number indicates Rose & Giovanni were at the top of the leaderboard.

Series 20; with Richie Anderson

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The couple were eliminated in week 3.

Series 21; with Amanda Abbington

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Due to medical reasons, Abbington was unable to dance in week 5 and the couple were given a bye to progress to the next week. On 23 October 2023, Abbington withdrew from the competition.

Dance tours and professional dance engagements

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Pernice took part in the national Strictly Come Dancing Live! tour in 2016 with his partner Georgia May Foote, and again in 2017 as part of the professional dance troupe for group numbers and professional dances.[35][36] He partnered Debbie McGee in the 2018 live tour, Faye Tozer for the 2019 live tour and Rose Ayling-Ellis for the 2022 live tour.[37][38][39]

In 2016, Pernice announced his first dance tour Dance is Life, translated from the Italian expression 'Il Ballo è Vita'. The tour comprised 32 dates in England, Scotland and Wales between April and July 2017, performing to positive reviews.[40] The opening night was 26 April 2017 at the Albany Theatre, Coventry.[41] The last performance took place on 23 July 2017 at the Marina Theatre, Lowestoft.[42] In 2018, Pernice announced that his Dance is Life tour would be returning in 2019.[43]

In September 2020, Pernice and Anton Du Beke announced a 2021 UK Tour called HIM & ME.[44]

In September 2024, Pernice announced he was to appear at Donaheys 2025 "Dancing With The Stars Weekends".[45]

Pernice also has his solo tour called The Last Dance in 2025.[46]

Personal life

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In July 2021, Pernice confirmed that he was dating social media influencer and TV personality Maura Higgins.[47] The pair split up four months later.[48]

Notes

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  1. ^ In week 5 guest judge Alfonso Ribeiro replaced Tonioli
  2. ^ In week 5 guest judge Alfonso Ribeiro replaced Tonioli
  3. ^ In week 9 guest judge Cynthia Erivo replaced Horwood
  4. ^ In week 10 guest judge Cynthia Erivo replaced Mabuse

References

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  1. ^ "Giovanni Pernice: The Strictly star at the heart of a storm". The Independent. 6 June 2024. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  2. ^ "BBC Strictly's Giovanni Pernice ignores Rose Ayling-Ellis 'curse' rumours as he celebrates 32nd birthday". MyLondon. 5 September 2022. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  3. ^ "BBC One - Strictly Come Dancing - Giovanni Pernice". BBC. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  4. ^ Debnath, Neela (6 September 2015). "Strictly Come Dancing 2015: Who is new professional dancer Giovanni Pernice? | TV & Radio". Daily Express. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  5. ^ Leng, Stephen (5 October 2015). "Strictly Come Dancing 2015: Who is Giovanni Pernice?". Ok.co.uk. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  6. ^ "Introducing Giovanni – Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two 2015 – BBC Two". YouTube. 1 December 2015. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  7. ^ "Details of WDSF athlete Giovanni Pernice | World DanceSport Federation at". Worlddancesport.org. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  8. ^ "BBC One - Strictly Come Dancing - Giovanni Pernice". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  9. ^ "Details of WDSF athlete Giovanni Pernice | World DanceSport Federation at worlddancesport.org". www.worlddancesport.org. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  10. ^ "Strictly Come Dancing winner crowned". BBC. 20 December 2015. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
  11. ^ S, Ian; well (6 November 2016). "Who was the seventh couple to leave Strictly?". Digital Spy. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  12. ^ "BBC - Three new sensational dancers join the professional dancer line up for Strictly Come Dancing 2017 - Media Centre". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
  13. ^ Hogan, Michael (10 September 2017). "Strictly Come Dancing 2017 Tears, dodgy vocals and matchmaking - launch show talking points". The Daily Telegraph.
  14. ^ "Joe McFadden is the winner of Strictly Come Dancing 2017". Radio Times. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  15. ^ "Strictly Come Dancing - Giovanni Pernice - BBC One". BBC. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
  16. ^ "Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton win Strictly Come Dancing 2018". BBC News. 15 December 2018. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
  17. ^ Lewis, Isobel (17 November 2019). "Strictly fans 'gutted' as Michelle Visage eliminated from competition". Metro. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  18. ^ "Ranvir Singh shares reaction to divisive Strictly elimination: "Sadly it wasn't to be"". Radio Times. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  19. ^ "heat Unmissables Awards 2021: see the full list of winners". heatworld. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  20. ^ Badshah, Nadeem (23 October 2023). "Amanda Abbington quits Strictly Come Dancing after medical absence". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  21. ^ "This year's Strictly Pro Challenge has a winner!". Digital Spy. 9 December 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
  22. ^ Vassell, Nicole (7 January 2024). "Amanda Abbington 'requests Strictly Come Dancing rehearsal footage with Giovanni Pernice; amid legal advice". The Independent.
  23. ^ Lewis, Isobel (10 January 2024). "Debbie McGee shares pointed post about former Strictly partner Giovanni Pernice amid Amanda Abbington reports". The Independent.
  24. ^ Stolworthy, Jacob (18 March 2024). "Strictly: Three past contestants 'meet to discuss difficult experience with pro Giovanni Pernice". The Independent. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  25. ^ a b "Strictly Come Dancing star Giovanni Pernice rejects claims over teaching methods". BBC News. 19 May 2024. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  26. ^ Butt, Maira (17 May 2024). "BBC responds as Giovanni Pernice 'quits' Strictly Come Dancing amid training controversy". The Independent.
  27. ^ Saunders, Emma (10 June 2024). "Giovanni Pernice will not return to Strictly Come Dancing". BBC News. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  28. ^ "BBC apologises to Amanda Abbington over Strictly verbal bullying by Giovanni Pernice, but he is cleared of physical aggression". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  29. ^ "BBC apologises to Amanda Abbington over Strictly verbal bullying by Giovanni Pernice, but he is cleared of physical aggression". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  30. ^ Matteucci, Maris (9 September 2024). ""Ballando con le Stelle 2024": ecco chi sono i nuovi maestri del talent di Milly Carlucci". attoricasting.it (in Italian). Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  31. ^ Duke, Simon (13 November 2021). "Strictly's Anton cracks with emotion giving verdict on Rose dance". ChronicleLive. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  32. ^ "Rose Ayling-Ellis Moves Strictly Viewers To Tears With Emotional Performance Dedicated To The Deaf Community". HuffPost UK. 14 November 2021. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  33. ^ Hilton, Boyd (7 December 2021). "heat Unmissables Awards 2021: see the full list of winners". Heat. Archived from the original on 8 December 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  34. ^ "Rose Ayling-Ellis makes history with Strictly Come Dancing win". Independent.co.uk. 18 December 2021.
  35. ^ "Strictly Come Dancing 2016 tour: Everything you need to know". 23 January 2016. Archived from the original on 28 August 2017. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
  36. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 28 July 2017. Retrieved 28 July 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  37. ^ Staff Reporter (11 February 2018). "Strictly Come Dancing 2018 live tour results! Winners revealed!". TellyMix. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  38. ^ Staff Reporter (10 February 2019). "Strictly Come Dancing 2019 live tour results! Winners revealed!". TellyMix. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  39. ^ "Strictly Come Dancing Live tour - Rose and Giovanni and John and Johannes among stellar line-up for arena shows". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  40. ^ "Strictly's Giovanni Pernice has all the moves at South Shields Customs House". Evening Chronicle. 2 May 2017. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
  41. ^ Hartley, Laura (28 November 2016). "Strictly heart-throb to kick off UK tour in Coventry". Retrieved 12 October 2017.
  42. ^ Smith, Amy (4 July 2017). "Strictly Come Dancing star Giovanni Pernice heads to Lowestoft on final tour night". Archived from the original on 13 October 2017. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
  43. ^ "The Cast | United Kingdom | Giovanni Pernice Tour". giovannipernice. Archived from the original on 16 June 2021. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  44. ^ "Home - Anton and Giovanni Live". antonandgiovanni.com. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  45. ^ "5* Weekend Break with the Stars of BBC Strictly Come Dancing". www.donaheys.co.uk. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  46. ^ "Where can you see Giovanni Pernice after the end of Strictly Come Dancing?". Hello magazine. 27 November 2021. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  47. ^ Joe Anderton (10 July 2021). "Maura Higgins and Giovanni Pernice confirmed they were pregnant". Digital Spy. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  48. ^ Amy West (25 October 2021). "Strictly Come Dancing's Giovanni Pernice addresses split from Love Island Star Maura Higgins". Digital Spy. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
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