Former Strictly star Giovanni Pernice wins Italian dance show

Giovanni Pernice has won the Italian version of Strictly Come Dancing, just months after a BBC internal investigation into complaints about his behavior on the show.

Professional dancer Pernice said that her Bailando con le Stelle win with partner Bianca Guacero, who is also his girlfriend, was a dream, adding: “After a difficult year I am back”.

In September, the BBC upheld complaints of harassment and verbal bullying made against him by his 2023 partner Amanda Abbington, but cleared him of allegations of physical aggression.

It was confirmed in June that Pernice would not be joining Strictly this year.

Pernice and Guacero, an actress and singer, won the 19th season of Bailando con le Stelle after performing dances including the Argentine Tango and the Charleston.

The pair recently confirmed their status as a romantic couple.

Italy-born Pernice shared several posts on Instagram about her win and thanked UK fans for their support.

The BBC apologized to Pernice’s former partner Amanda Abbington in September. Abbington, who played Mary Morstan in Sherlock, has since said she felt vindicated After this he had “no regrets” are making complaints,

In response to the BBC’s findings, Pernice said she was “relieved” that the allegations of bullying and abuse against her were not found to be true.

He said he was a “strict teacher” but not a bully A TV interview in OctoberIt is common for both competitors and professionals to admit frustration with the pressure to “excel on Saturday night”.

“We did it!! We are champions!! After a tough year,” Pernice said on Instagram Sunday.

He added: “To be in the final again doing what I love felt amazing – and then winning was also a dream and definitely something I’ll never forget!”

On Saturday he addressed his “dear friends in the UK”, saying that he and his colleagues can tell where the votes for the show are coming from because it is “all about likes on social media”.

Pernice wrote: “We just want to say thank you so much, because realistically, we couldn’t do anything without you.

“We can absolutely see what share of the votes are coming from the UK and you are incredibly amazing.”