Strictly's Giovanni Pernice soaks in wild applause as Anton Du Beke backs him onstage

Defiant Giovanni Pernice was backed by Anton Du Beke (Image: Instagram/Giovanni Pernice) Strictly Come Dancing star Giovanni Pernice has been backed by Anton Du Beke as the embattled pro takes to the stage for a sold-out show tonight. Giovanni appeared to be axed from the upcoming series of Strictly this week after his name was conspicuously absent from the Strictly professionals lineup issued by the BBC for the upcoming 20th series of the dance spectacular. Other pros including Amy Dowden, recovering from her cancer diagnosis which forced her to miss last year’s series, and Nadiya Bychkova, as well as Kai Widdrington, Gorka Marquez and Luba Mushtuk were all confirmed to be returning for the next series.

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