Giovanni Pernice has said he's getting 'up close and personal' with his fans after he was heard saying he was left with 'no friends' following his Strictly Come Dancing scandal.
The dancer wasn't invited back to take part in the BBC One dance contest in 2024 following an investigation into his behaviour on the show. The BBC apologised to Sherlock star Amanda Abbington as they upheld some of her complaints against her former dance partner during the 2023 series. Giovanni was cleared of the most serious allegations.
He has since been taking part in the Ballando con le Stelle, the Italian version of the show, where he was paired with actress and singer, and his now real-life girlfriend, Bianca Guaccero and the pair emerged victorious as they won the series in December.
Now, Giovanni is back in the UK as he hits the road in his final tour - for now - titled 'The Last Dance'. Taking to Instagram, he shared clips of how he's added more audience participation into the show as he spoke to surprise members of the crowds.
Alongside the clip, he posted on his Instagram Story: "I'm getting up close and personal this year [winking face emoji]." It comes after Giovanni was heard during the first night of his tour on Monday night (January 20) in High Wycombe saying he lost his friends in the wake of the allegations against him last year.
"Nobody wanted to be seen with me," he confessed. The 34-year-old is reported by the Mirror as saying: "I felt like the world collapsed....I didn’t have anybody around me. All the people that were supposed to be my friend disappeared."
It comes after Giovanni said he "would love to" return to Strictly. However, he doesn't think producers want him back. He told the Mail on Sunday newspaper: "I think they have closed the book on that and moved on. I would love to go back to 'Strictly' because 'Strictly' changed my life. It is a massive show, but I don’t think they’re going to have me back. They’re not.
"I’m upset as well. It’s been a great, great, great ten years. I achieved everything. But it’s not my choice, it’s not my decision. Everybody has moved on. Maybe I might come back in a few years like Alijaz. I think this is the path we take. And don’t forget, I’m the reigning Italian champion."
