Giovanni Pernice tries to calm down audience member in new footage amid Strictly drama

Giovanni Pernice was spotted silencing the crowd while on tour after being engulfed in Strictly drama over the last few months.

The 33-year-old Italian dancer was snubbed from this year's lineup of Strictly professional dancers following a formal investigation into his behavior on the show, prompted by complaints from former partners, including Amanda Abbington. Despite this, he is currently on tour with the show's judge, Anton Du Beke.

In video footage shared to his Instagram page, Giovanni and Anton, 57, are spotted wearing matching black and white suits, and in one clip, the dancer can be seen shushing the crowd as the pair open their show. Last weekend, the Strictly duo kicked off their latest tour, Anton and Giovanni Together - The Live Tour - which will see them travel and perform up and down the country until July 21 when they finish their shows at The Lowry in Salford.

Earlier this month, the BBC announced that Giovanni had been cut from the line-up of professional dancers who are set to take part in Strictly Come Dancing in September. They previously issued a statement on the Strictly scandal "urging people not to indulge in speculation." The statement came after recent reports that the dancer had been embroiled in controversy with his celebrity partner Amanda Abbington after she left the contest early in the 2023 series.

Anton Du Beke and Giovanni Pernice on tour

The dancers during their hilarious opening to their show

At the time, Amanda said she was leaving due to “medical reasons” although it was widely been reported that the Sherlock actor had experienced difficulties with her dance partner Giovanni whilst on the show. Amanda later confirmed she'd suffered PTSD at the hands of the dancer due to his "'militant approach to training."

However, back in May, Giovanni released a statement on Instagram "rejecting any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour," penning: "To my dear fans, You will be as surprised as I am that allegations have been made about my dance teaching methods in the media this week. Of course, I reject any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour, and I look forward to clearing my name.

"Those who have followed my journey on Strictly Come Dancing over the last decade will know that I am passionate and competitive. No-one is more ambitious for my dance partners than me. I have always striven to help them be the very best dancers they can be. This has always come from a place of love and wanting to win - for me and my dance partners. Thank you all once again for your continued love and support! Giovanni."

While it appears most of his Strictly pals have remained silent on the matter, head judge Shirley Ballas came out to defend the star and claimed things were 'blown out of proportion' following his shock exit from Strictly.

Speaking at Chorleywood Memorial Hall, Herts, promoting her new book Murder on the Dancefloor, she said: “I know he is a hard worker. He wants the people to do the very best that they can do. Obviously in my life I was bullied a lot. I don't condone bullying on any path but also I don't believe gossip and what you read in the newspapers because things get escalated and they are blown way out of all proportion and it can turn into a great big snowball."

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