GIOVANNI Pernice has revealed he has had a “year of hell’ after his Strictly axe saw him experience some ‘dark times’.

The pro dancer was at the centre of a BBC probe in 2024 after Amanda Abbington claimed he was ‘abusive’ when they were partnered on the show together.

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Giovanni Pernice has revealed there were ‘dark times’ after his Strictly axeCredit: Rex

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Giovanni Pernice and Amanda Abbington’s Strictly journey ended in a bullying probeCredit: PA

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He won the Italian version of Strictly with new girlfriend Bianca GuacceroCredit: Splash
As Giovanni returns to UK TV screens this weekend in Channel 4’s Celebrity Hunted, the Italian star has told him he can’t wait to see the back of the last 12 months after fearing his career was ‘over’

In an interview with the Sunday Mirror, he said: “I’m not going to lie, there were dark moments in terms of, you know, this is finished, this is the end of my career.

“That was one of my down moments. Sorry for my language but 2024 can f**k off. I’ve been looking forward to seeing the back of it.”

After Amanda accused Giovanni of bullying her, leading to her early exit from the 2023 series, a BBC probe upheld six of the 17 complaints against him.

He was cleared of being physically abusive to the Sherlock actress.

Reflecting on the aftermath of Amanda’s complaints, Gio stressed he tried to remain calm in the eye of the storm.

He explained: “Every time she came out with another interview I was always maintaining a calm inside. Trust me, it wasn’t easy, there were dark times.

“But I know what I did – that kept me calm, because I knew the truth from the beginning. I was expecting and waiting that all of this would finish and come back with the results that I wanted it to be.

He continued: “I know what the truth is, I know who I am, so you just wait and move on with life.”

While Giovanni has admitted he was a “strict teacher” with Amanda, he says he has learnt lessons from the whole experience

“After last year where everything happened, I decided to take life day by day because you never know what is going to happen, things can change in a moment,” he reasoned.

“And then after being down there is only one way up. And you come back fighting and even stronger, you try to find better solutions.”

Giovanni signed up for the Italian version of Strictly, Ballando con le Stelle, after parting ways with the UK franchise.

And he won the series with partner Bianca Guaccero, who he is now romantically involved with.

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Giovanni will team up with fellow Strictly star Kai Widdrington on Celebrity HuntedCredit: Colin Hutton / Channel 4

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Giovanni and Bianca are now madly in loveCredit: Splash
Gio has said of his new love: “After a long time, there is someone who takes care of me and cares about me. A woman like her has been missing from my life.’

As for Bianca, she is equally loved up, saying: “He’s goofy and crazy, and that made me fall in love with him. It had been a long time since I felt happiness in my heart.”

Celebrity Hunted starts tomorrow night at 9pm on Channel 4