Professionals who appeared on the programme said his absence has left a ‘cloud’ over the new series. Giovanni Pernice’s absence from the Strictly Come Dancing line-up, amid allegations about his teaching methods, is “very sad” and there is a “cloud” hanging over the show, according to former professional dancers from the BBC programme. The Italian professional dancer, 33, has been on the BBC One celebrity dancing show since 2015 when he reached the grand final with Coronation Street star Georgia May Foote.
However, the BBC did not announce Pernice as part of its line-up of professionals for 2024 following claims of abusive or threatening behaviour, which he has strongly rejected. Pernice previously said in a statement that he looks “forward to clearing my name”. The dancers who will return include Amy Dowden, who missed competing on Strictly last year after she was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer, and 2023 winner Vito Coppola.
Former Strictly professional Kristina Rihanoff, who appeared on the show from 2008 to 2015, said it was “very sad” he will not be part of the line-up. She added: “He produced some really memorable dances, I think the show will lose a wonderful dancer and choreographer. “I think all of us on the show are quite strong perfectionists.
Coming from a competitive background, we want to be the best not just for ourselves but for our celebrities too. I think we all can be very strict, maybe even brutal sometimes, because we wa.