Giovanni Pernice flees the country after 'quitting' Strictly: Dancer is comforted by girlfriend Molly Brown in Dubai after leaving BBC show amid firestorm over his 'militant' training style with celebrities

17/05/2024

Giovanni Pernice fled to Dubai with his girlfriend Molly Brown this week days before it emerged that he's quit Strictly Come Dancing after nine years on the show.

The dancer, 33, is said to have left the programme because the scrutiny became 'too much' when his ex dance partners slammed his 'militant' approach.

Yet he looked calm and at ease on his relaxing getaway, with Molly, 25, documenting the trip in a slew of Instagram posts.

The couple, who first confirmed their romance at the end of February, proved they were still going strong after being hit by rumours they had split.

The TV personality packed on the PDA with his model girlfriend in one snap as he was seen kissing her cheek as they soaked up the sun at the beach.

Giovanni Pernice fled to Dubai with his girlfriend Molly Brown this week days before it emerged that he's quit Strictly Come Dancing after nine years on the show

The dancer, 33, is said to have left the programme because the scrutiny became 'too much' when his ex dance partners slammed his 'militant' approach and is now living it up in Dubai

In another picture, the couple cosied up as Molly snapped a mirror selfie as they headed out for dinner one evening.

The model stunned in a white cut out dress while the BBC star cut a dapper figure in a blue striped open collar shirt.

Giovanni also showed of one of his impressive dancing lifts as he launched Molly into the air performing the iconic Dirty Dancing lift in front of the Dubai Fountains.

She wrote: 'Let me tell you about my best friend…'

Taking to the comments, Giovanni replied: 'I love you ❤️ like a lot!!'

The posts came five days before the news broke that he was leaving Strictly amid a firestorm surrounding his training etiquette.

It's claimed the scrutiny became 'too much' when three of his ex dance partners slammed his 'militant' approach.

The professional dancer is said to want a 'fresh start' but is 'adamant he has done nothing wrong' after his last celebrity partner, Amanda Abbington, 52, led the charge in accusing him of 'difficult behaviour' during training.

Amanda, who dramatically withdrew from last year's competition and was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after the show, is said to have met with Laura Whitmore, 39, and Ranvir Singh, 46, earlier this year for an 'emotional summit' to 'compare notes' about their time working with him.

While the BBC has stood by him and been keen to sign the professional dancer for its 20th anniversary series, Giovanni has decided to not return after eight years on the show.

The TV personality packed on the PDA with his model girlfriend in one snap as he was seen kissing her cheek as they soaked up the sun at the beach

The couple, who first confirmed their romance at the end of February, proved they were still going strong after being hit by rumours they had split

Giovanni also showed of one of his impressive dancing lifts as he launched Molly into the air performing the iconic Dirty Dancing lift in front of the Dubai Fountains

She wrote: 'Let me tell you about my best friend…' Taking to the comments, Giovanni replied: 'I love you ❤️ like a lot!!'

'Gio feels the scrutiny on him has become too much and now is the time to make a fresh start,' a source told The Sun.

'He wants to focus on other TV projects, and feels he’s achieved all he can on Strictly, having won the trophy back in 2021 and reaching the final an unprecedented four times.

Strictly star Giovanni Pernice breaks his silence on Amanda Abbington feud as he admits 'I'm definitely a perfectionist'

'He remains adamant he’s done nothing wrong other than being a hard taskmaster, but knows his style of training isn’t to everyone’s liking - especially in this day and age.'

The insider added Giovanni has lots of 'exciting projects' in the pipeline which is now his priority.

A spokesman for the BBC has declined to comment on Giovanni's departure. They told MailOnline: 'The professional dancers for 2024 will be announced in due course'.

MailOnline has contacted Giovanni's representatives for comment.

The turning point in Giovanni's television career comes amid his new relationship with Molly Brown. The couple first confirmed their romance at the end of February and have been sharing loved-up snaps on holiday this week.

Reports of Giovanni's departure will be a bitter blow to the BBC, who have stood by him amid the furore.

He was said to be assured by his bosses he would be part of the line-up for the new series, but decided himself to step away from the show.

But the professional dancer, 33, is 'adamant he has done nothing wrong' after his last celebrity partner, Amanda Abbington, 52, led the charge in accusing him of 'difficult behaviour'

Giovanni has quit Strictly Come Dancing, according to reports. Giovanni has faced a wave of scrutiny ever since his dance partner Amanda Abbington dramatically quit last year

Laura Whitmore and Giovanni pictured. Amanda is said to have met the presenter to discuss her experience with the dancer during the competition in 2022

Ranvir Singh and Giovanni pictured. The Good Morning Britain presenter complained about Giovanni to producers back in 2020, during their time on the show (pictured in 2020)

[video_shortcode_video_html_5 src="https://videos.dailymail.co.uk/video/mol/2024/01/24/4838827159512134763/1024x576_MP4_4838827159512134763.mp4" itemprop="image" content="https://videos.dailymail.co.uk/video/mol/2024/01/24/4838827159512134763/1024x576_MP4_4838827159512134763.mp4" data-src="https://videos.dailymail.co.uk/video/mol/2024/01/24/4838827159512134763/1024x576_MP4_4838827159512134763.mp4"]

The dancer has also been on TV with Strictly judge Anton Du Beke with their own show, Anton & Giovanni's Adventures in Sicily.

The fan favourite won the 2021 series with former EastEnders' actress Rose Ayling-Ellis. He also found success with Georgia May Foote in his debut year.

The pair came second and went on to have a relationship. He also made it through to the final with Faye Tozer and Debbie McGee.

But, earlier this year, Amanda reportedly met with Laura, who danced with Giovanni in the 2022 series, and Giovanni's 2020 partner, Good Morning Britain presenter Ranvir, to discuss their experiences.

Ranvir complained about Giovanni to producers back in 2020, during their time on the show, while Laura said she 'cried every day' and felt 'uncomfortable' while dancing with him in 2016.

A source close to the trio told MailOnline back in March: 'They are very unhappy with the way the BBC are handling this.'

The insider continued: 'It's one thing saying they are standing by him, but they feel as if Giovanni is being promoted and pushed centre stage in a bid to make them go away and keep quiet. It's a kick in the teeth.

'One of the reasons they wanted to meet up was to try and work on a way forward because they have no intention of just backing down and letting this just fade away.

'All three have been impacted in different ways by what happened and they've agreed to speak again about how best they can get something done about it because they are genuinely worried about want went on and the fact someone else could end up experiencing what they went through.

According to an insider, Giovanni feels like he has achieved everything he can on the show, having lifted the glitterball with Rose Ayling-Ellis in 2021 and got the final several times

The insider added Giovanni has lots of 'exciting projects' in the pipeline which is now his priority. The pro dancer has his own travel show with Anton Du Beke

'But right now there's a feeling that Gio is pretty much untouchable - especially given he is so close to Anton who thinks the world of him and can't believe the stuff he's been hearing claimed about his mate.'

However, a source close to Giovanni told the publication: 'Gio finds some of these allegations deeply unfair and offensive. He believes he's done nothing wrong, and simply wants to get the best out of his partners.'

The BBC said earlier this year they would not be investigating Giovanni's behaviour with Amanda, with a spokesperson saying: 'There is a constant dialogue between the senior production team and contestants to ensure any concerns are addressed swiftly.'

In 2016, former Love Island host Laura Whitmore said she ' cried every day' and felt 'uncomfortable' while training with him.

She later wrote for HuffPost UK in 2018: '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.'

It's also thought that Giovanni also clashed with his 2018 celebrity partner Faye Tozer.

It's also thought that Giovanni clashed with his 2018 celebrity partner Faye Tozer (pictured)

Meanwhile his 2022 partner Richie Anderson has unfollowed him on Instagram

Former partners also came out to back him, including Debbie McGee, the widow of the magician Paul Daniels, who was paired with him in 2017

The former member of the 1990s band Steps, Faye Tozer, is said to have struggled to work with him and broke down in tears following an appearance together on spin-off show, It Takes Two.

Meanwhile his 2022 partner Richie Anderson has unfollowed him on Instagram.

But other former partners have also come out to back him, including Debbie McGee, the widow of the magician Paul Daniels, who was paired with him in 2017.

Shortly after Amanda's allegations, Debbie shared a beaming throwback picture of her and Giovanni taken backstage during their stint together. 'Happy memories, Giovanni and I had the best of times on Strictly,' she said in the caption.