07 January 2024 , 11:27
797
0
A number of Giovanni Pernice's Strictly Come Dancing partnerships have come under scrutiny over the years with rumours of meltdowns and rows rocking the Italian in his bid to lift the Glitterball Trophy.
The hunk joined the BBC show in 2015 and holds the record for earning the most number of perfect 10s in its history - a staggering 98 over eight series. The 33-year old tasted success in 2022, becoming champion for the first time alongside former EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis.
In other years, however, things haven't gone so smoothly - not least the 2023 edition that saw Giovanni partnered with Amanda Abbington. The actress quit Strictly back in October, citing personal reasons and did not return for the final with her fellow contestants who had previously been voted out of the competition.
Amanda Abbington has reportedly requested backstage footage of her time with Giovanni Pernice (BBC)On Sunday (January 7), it was reported Amanda has requested footage backstage footage of herself and Giovanni from the Beeb. Since departing the show she has revealed she is suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and is now said to be keen to review recordings after taking legal advice.
A source told the Sun: "There is a feeling that the recordings will lift the lid on what really goes on behind the scenes on Strictly. Things in rehearsals can become very tense." They added that Giovanni could be "incredibly full-on" as he is a "perfectionist".
EastEnders' Jake Wood's snap of son has fans pointing out the pair's likeness
A friend of Amanda, meanwhile, reportedly told the publication that she had been left "broken and saddened" by the experience and has "needed therapy and was left in shock by the behaviour she was exposed to". They continued that it has taken months for her to get over what she went through and that it was a "real shock" as she had been so excited to sign up to the show.
Laura Whitmore claimed training with Giovanni left her 'broken' (Daily Record)In the past, Gio's partners have claimed his "intense" training schedules have left them "broken". Back in 2016 he was partnered with former Love Island host Laura Whitmore, finishing a disappointing ninth. After leaving the show, Laura described feeling "uncomfortable" with her partner, which made her "cry every day.
She later told the Huffington Post: "I’m still not ready to talk in depth about my experience on the show. I was placed with a dance partner I was extremely uncomfortable with and in the end I felt broken, I cried every day. And I really was broken, both mentally and physically, by the end."
Ranvir Singh said her rehearsals with Giovanni led to a '20-minute divorce' (PA)Four years later Giovanni reportedly fell out with Good Morning Britain presenter Ranvir Singh en route to the couple finishing in fifth place. Ranvir later admitted to having a "total meltdown" in rehearsals, telling co-star Kate Garraway the partnership suffered a "20-minute divorce".
Ranvir continued: "We had a quiet moment when we needed time to ourselves. I have to be honest, I had a total meltdown and Giovanni put me in my place. He pointed to his arm, which says, 'Never give up' and says, 'That's just who I am'."
Giovanni partnered Richie Anderson in 2022 (BBC)In 2022, meanwhile, Giovanni was partnered with a male celebrity for the first time in BBC presenter Richie Anderson. Within days of the series beginning, rumours of a feud and the pair "not clicking" were rife, before they became just the second couple to be given the boot.
At the time, Giovanni was said to have become frustrated with Richie's reluctance to listen to him in rehearsals, whilst speculation heightened after the pair sat apart on appearance on It Takes Two. Giovanni later said the rumours were "untrue", however, insisting there was "no problem" and they were having the "best time" away from the cameras.
While Ranvir and Amanda still follow Giovanni on Instagram, Laura and Richie don't.