GIOVANNI Pernice looked like he doesn't have a care in the world after spending the day lounging on a yacht.
The Strictly Come Dancing star, who is central to a 'six-figure' investigation by the BBC into his conduct, brushed off the ongoing furore to spend a day by the ocean.
In new photos on Instagram, Gio was seen sipping wine on the luxury boat and topping up his tan in sopping wet black swimming trunks.
Wearing shades as he smiled, Giovanni was seen leaning against the edge of the vessel as he spends time in his native Italy.
He simply captioned the pics: "September", with dozens of fans swarming to celebrate him looking in such good spirits.
One wrote: "Lovely to see you relaxed and happy again, you will be missed on strictly but you will have bigger things ahead of you anyway 🔥🙌 ❤️ xx"
"Looking rather 🔥🔥🔥🔥 there Gio! Will miss you so much in Strictly this year but can’t wait to see you in February! ❤️❤️❤️" said a second.
A third wrote: "Great photos Gio enjoy your well deserved break 🔥🥂💚🤍❤️"
While a fourth said: "So happy to see your beautiful smile! Enjoy your time at home with your family. 😘 Wishing you a happy birthday on Thursday! 😘 xxx"
Giovanni is usually scheduled to be deep in rehearsals for Strictly Come Dancing at this time of year, but he quit the series shortly before news into an investigation into his conduct had been launched.
Instead, he's been spending time with family and friends in Italy and on the Sicilian coast.
Amanda Abbington, who was partnered with Giovanni in the 2023 series, has since confirmed she was behind the complaint, with several other former partners being interviewed since.
She accuses him of having a "militant" training style, at times being "disastrously unworkable" with a "mean" attitude.
Giovanni has strenuously denied the claims and has vowed to clear his name, with the star seemingly being supported by all four judges, who have since done specialist workshops at Gio's dance school, Ballando.
The BBC have spent over £100,000 while they investigate their claims, hiring two former Met Police officers to spearhead it.
The outcome of the investigation, which has been rumbling on for nearly five months, has been delayed after new evidence came to light.
As a result, other TV shows have been reluctant to offer the Italian dancer big money deals in case he's found guilty - and could have potentially lost him up to £350,000 in missed TV opportunities.
The investigation also resulted in another dancer, Graziano Di Prima, being fired from the show from misconduct after footage of his behaviour against Zara McDermott came to light.
Strictly returns to our screens for its 20th anniversary later this month.
