The TV star and widow of magician Paul Daniels was partnered with Pernice when she took part in the show in 2017, just a year after her husband’s death in 2016. The duo made it to the final but were defeated by Holby City actor Joe McFadden and his partner Katya Jones. Sharing a photo of the two of them on the show, the 65-year-old wrote on Instagram: “I am heartbroken for @giovannipernice My experience on Strictly will always be happy and life changing.
“Gio nurtured me through my grief and gave me confidence I could do things I thought was beyond me.” McGee is the first of Pernice’s celebrity partners to speak out in his defence. The 33-year-old Italian 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 him 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 in the show from 2008 to 2015, said it is “very sad” that Pernice will not be part of the line-up. She told ITV’s This Morning: “He produced some really memorable dances, I think th.
