IT'S often not until you're down on your luck that you realise who your real friends are. Under fire Giovanni Pernice 's been buoyed over the course of his seven month (and counting) Strictly scandal by the public backing of two show heavyweights. Head judge Shirley Ballas put her head above the parapet back in January with a show of support for Giovanni during an interview with Lorraine Kelly.
Usually, a headline generating television scandal makes famous faces shy away lest any semblance of opinion result in negative consequences for their own career. Phillip Schofield found this out the hard way when he was cut-off by his closest and longest-serving television ally amid his This morning scandal. But Shirley wasn't afraid to address Amanda Abbington 's claims against Giovanni, notably that his intense training methods led to her being diagnosed with mild post traumatic stress disorder and forced her off the show.
Though Lorraine is certainly no Paxman when it comes to grilling guests on uncomfortable topics, she did ask the question everyone wanted to know: what were her thoughts on the Giovanni row. Shirley told her: "I’ve known Giovanni for many, many years and he's an absolutely splendid teacher. My only experience of him is that of an absolute gentleman.
He serves the show well and he gives 100 percent." Tellingly, she then suggested Amanda underestimated the intensity of the programme. "They’re tough shows," she added.
"When you sign up for a show like that you kin.
