Giovanni Pernice, a familiar face to Strictly Come Dancing viewers, is poised to return to British television screens, not on the dance floor, but as a contestant on Channel 4’s Celebrity Hunted. This marks a significant comeback for Pernice, whose departure from Strictly earlier this year followed an investigation into allegations of misconduct made by his former dance partner, actress Amanda Abbington. The BBC investigation, which stemmed from Abbington’s claims of a “verbal litany of abuse” and a “toxic work environment,” ultimately upheld some, but not all, of her complaints. Pernice consistently denied the accusations of threatening or abusive behavior, expressing relief in September when the investigation concluded without finding evidence to support the majority of Abbington’s allegations.
The controversy surrounding Pernice and Abbington arose during their partnership on the 2023 season of Strictly Come Dancing. Abbington, known for her role in the popular television series Sherlock, detailed what she perceived as a hostile working environment created by Pernice’s behavior. The specifics of the allegations and the BBC’s findings remain largely undisclosed, adding a layer of complexity to Pernice’s return to the public eye. Despite the partial upholding of Abbington’s complaints, Pernice maintains his denial of any wrongdoing, framing the situation as a challenging professional relationship rather than a case of misconduct.
Following the conclusion of the BBC investigation, Pernice shifted his focus to the Italian version of Strictly, Dancing with the Stars, in his native Italy. This provided a temporary respite from the media scrutiny in the UK, allowing him to continue his work as a professional dancer. His participation in Celebrity Hunted signals a deliberate return to British television, demonstrating a willingness to re-engage with the UK audience after the contentious period surrounding the Strictly controversy.
Celebrity Hunted, a reality show that pits celebrities against a team of expert “hunters,” offers a different platform for Pernice to showcase his skills and personality. Partnering with fellow Strictly professional Kai Widdrington, Pernice will attempt to evade capture while raising funds for Stand Up To Cancer. The series, filmed in 2024 and scheduled to air in January 2025, features a diverse lineup of celebrities, including Blue’s Duncan James, Christine McGuinness, Loose Women’s Denise Welch and her husband Lincoln Townley, Celebrity Big Brother’s Zeze Millz, podcaster David Whitely, EastEnders star Danielle Harold, Coronation Street’s Kimberley Hart Simpson, and news anchors Simon McCoy and Lucrezia Millarini.
Pernice’s participation in Celebrity Hunted marks a strategic move to re-establish his presence on British television. The show’s format, emphasizing teamwork, strategy, and resilience, provides an opportunity for Pernice to present a different side of himself, potentially shifting public perception beyond the controversy surrounding his Strictly exit. The timing of the broadcast, several months after the conclusion of the BBC investigation, may also contribute to a more receptive audience, allowing Pernice to reintegrate into the UK television landscape.
The Celebrity Hunted appearance comes after Pernice expressed his disappointment at not securing the coveted Glitterball trophy with Abbington on Strictly, despite acknowledging her dancing abilities. This comment, made prior to the allegations surfacing, adds another layer of intrigue to their partnership and its eventual unraveling. Now, with the investigation concluded and Pernice back on British screens, viewers will have the opportunity to observe him in a new context, potentially gaining further insights into the dancer beyond the headlines.
