Giovanni Pernice Slams BBC After 'Strictly' Exit: 'They Hung Me Out To Dry'

Former *Strictly Come Dancing* pro Giovanni Pernice is taking aim at the BBC following his dramatic departure from the hit UK reality series. Speaking out in a candid new interview with *The Daily Telegraph*, the Italian ballroom dancer revealed that the intense fallout and subsequent investigation left him in a deeply dark place mentally. The controversy first erupted after a major fallout with his 2023 celebrity dance partner, *Sherlock* star Amanda Abbington. Following Abbington's official complaint regarding their training sessions and her eventual exit from the show, Pernice found himself at the center of a massive public storm. The broadcaster ultimately cut ties with the long-time fan favorite, ending his tenure on the flagship dance competition. Now, Pernice is opening up about the toll the scandal took on his mental health. In his interview with *The Daily Telegraph*, the professional dancer admitted that he experienced suicidal thoughts as the situation escalated. He expressed deep frustration toward executive leaders at the BBC, accusing the network of failing to support him while the media frenzy played out around his professional reputation.

Why did Giovanni Pernice leave Strictly Come Dancing?

According to Pernice, the public nature of the feud and the network's handling of the claims destroyed his peace of mind. The star claimed that decision-makers at the broadcaster effectively abandoned him during the height of the crisis, stating that executives hung him out to dry rather than standing by their veteran talent or managing the fallout fairly. The high-profile clash between Pernice and Abbington became one of the biggest stories surrounding *Strictly Come Dancing* in recent years. While Abbington voiced serious concerns over their dynamic in the rehearsal studio, Pernice maintains that the network's subsequent response was mishandled, leaving him to absorb the brunt of public criticism alone.

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What did Giovanni Pernice say about the BBC?

Pernice spent years as one of the most recognizable figures on the BBC dance series, frequently making it to the final stages of the competition and winning the glitterball trophy in previous seasons. However, his exit marks a turbulent end to his time on the show, with his latest comments making it clear that the relationship between the dancer and the network has completely severed. The dancer's emotional revelations underscore the severe strain behind the scenes of popular television competitions. As Pernice continues to navigate the aftermath of his exit, his harsh criticism of the BBC's duty of care adds another layer of scrutiny to how major television networks manage high-stakes celebrity disputes.