Strictly Come Dancing fans fear for pro's future after backing Giovanni Pernice
Strictly Come Dancing fans have expressed concern for one of the professional dancers over their association with Giovanni Pernice. Lauren Oakley, 33, even missed out on the Strictly Come Dancing tour last year to perform in his Let Me Entertain You shows instead.
Currently, she is also expected to join him for his tour with Strictly pro turned judge Anton du Beke this summer. The dancer has only been a professional on the show for two years, and last year was the first year she appeared with a celebrity partner in the shape of Krishnan Guru-Murthy.
She quickly became a fan favourite, however, there are now fears that this may have been her first and last opportunity to teach as fans believe that her show of professional support for Giovanni could put her place on the programme in jeopardy.
Writing on Reddit one said: "I really hope this doesn't negatively impact Lauren somehow - he's her boss on his tour, but she's so amazing." Another user responded: "Yes, me too. She's already signed up to dance with him and Anton shortly on their tour, but presumably won't do his tour again."
Meanwhile, a third speculated about the pro's general silence on the situation saying: "I think everyone in the entertainment industry knows how to put a good face on and play the game. I think we probably know very little of the dancers' real opinions about anything."
A fourth user agreed commenting: "That's probably why the professionals haven't said or done anything to even imply that they may have one or two difficult people in the group, it looks a bit bad for them as well if they say something about their colleagues publicly." (sic)
Strictly Come Dancing 2023 pro dancers posing after a group performance on the show
When contacted for comment by Express.co.uk a Strictly spokesperson said: "The professional dancers for this series will be announced in due course, so do keep an eye out for this."
Lauren, is currently escaping all the drama on a sunshine holiday and has been keeping her 90,000 Instagram followers abreast of her adventures by posting stunning images of her break.
The BBC reportedly launched an investigation into "serious workplace misconduct claims" by three of 33-year-old Giovanni's former celebrity partners.
A spokesperson from law firm Carter Ruck, who is acting for the complainants, told Express.co.uk: "There have been numerous serious complaints made to the BBC who are now in the process of evidence gathering.
"As it is still an ongoing matter no further comment can be made at this stage." Speculation about Giovanni's teaching style grew after his latest celebrity partner Amanda Abbington quit the show last year just five weeks into the series.
Strictly Come Dancing publicity shot of Lauren Oakely
She later said she suffered from a mild form of PTSD "for several reasons" after citing medical and personal reasons for her exit.
Ex-Love Island host Laura Whitmore has previously said of her time on Strictly with Giovanni in 2016: "I was placed with a dance partner I was extremely uncomfortable with - and in the end, I felt broken, I cried every day. I really was broken, both mentally and physically, by the end."
Others have spoken out about dancing with Giovanni including Debbie McGee, who had nothing but nice things to say about him.