Strictly Come Dancing star Giovanni Pernice has reportedly quit the programme, but is said to now be in talks for I’m A Celebrity on rival channel ITV.
It has been claimed after reports of clashes with celebrity dance partners, the 33-year-old Italian dancer will not be returning to the BBC One show and is said to be ‘starting negotiations’ for another series.
While Giovanni’s departure has not been officially confirmed at the time of writing, a spokesperson for the BBC refused to deny the claims.
Instead, when approached by Metro.co.uk, they said: ‘The professional dancers for 2024 will be announced in due course.’
And now, rumours are circulating that he’s lined up for the jungle, with a source saying: ‘Giovanni would be perfect for the jungle.
‘ITV bosses have wanted him for years and now he is finally free. Everyone is really eager to get him on board – he really would be ideal for those jungle showers.
‘They are expected to offer him big money and he’s unlikely to turn it down really.’
The insider continued to The Sun: ‘He’ll have finished touring and will have those months free now he’s not doing Strictly.
‘It’s definitely a very tempting offer and will be surprise if he turns it down.’
This comes comes after an internal memo of this year’s Strictly professional dancers line-up has been circulated without his name, according to The Sun.
The publication also claims Giovanni has told friends he is ‘seeking a fresh start’.
A source said on Thursday night: ‘Gio feels the scrutiny on him has become too much, and now is the time to make a fresh start.
‘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.
‘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: ‘He has a lot of other exciting projects in the pipeline right now, and he’s just super-excited to get cracking on them. This, now, is his priority.’
The publication notes that Giovanni, who joined the show in 2015 and lifted the glitterball trophy with Rose Ayling-Ellis in 2021, told BBC bosses he is taking a break to mull over his decision, but it is claimed that he is unlikely to change his mind.
The report comes after months of speculation, with Giovanni have faced allegations against his teaching style, after reports of a feud emerged with former partner Amanda Abbington.
It had previously been claimed that BBC bosses were welcoming Giovanni back with open arms after a ‘really difficult few months for him’.
Claims of a feud emerged after Sherlock actress Amanda, 52, quit Strictly after five weeks, and was later said to be seeking legal advice, while other Strictly stars jumped in to defend Giovanni, including his former dance partners.
While she has not said much over her exit, citing ‘personal reasons’ at the time, it’s since emerged that she’d requested video footage of her rehearsals and was diagnosed with mild PTSD after Strictly.
Following her exit, Amanda ‘snubbed’ Giovanni and it was later said she spoke to Laura Whitmore, who partnered with Giovanni in 2016, and Ranvir Singh, who partnered with him in 2020.
Following an alleged discussion between the trio, reports claimed they considered lodging a ‘formal’ complaint against him, but Metro.co.uk understood no investigations have been launched by the BBC into Giovanni’s conduct on Strictly.
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Metro.co.uk has approached ITV and Giovanni’s reps for comment.
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