Giovanni Pernice has finally opened up about his controversial stint on Strictly and the uncertain future of his BBC career, sparking speculation that he might not make a return to the beloved dance show. His future on his BBC travel series with Anton Du Beke is also reportedly under doubt.

In a candid conversation on the How To Be Famous podcast hosted by James Phelan – relative of ex-Strictly star, Debbie McGee – Giovanni admitted to feeling exhausted: “As I said before, you never know what is going to be next.”

Reflecting on the intense demands of the show, he shared: “Strictly, like every other of those jobs when you have to give your life 100 per cent – they are quite tiring you know.” The dancer who was recently embroiled in a bullying scandal added: “When I said I need a break, I need a break, but never say never?”

He also touched upon the potential halt of his travel programme ‘Adventures In’ with co-star Anton, 58, due to budgetary constraints at the BBC. He said: “No we don’t know yet. I think the budget for the BBC is quite low so we just keep doing what we are doing.”

He lamented the possible end to the series which toured his homeland Sicily and Spain, saying: “It’s a shame because it was a successful show, I think it had over four to five million viewers.”In addition, Giovanni disclosed that his role on the Italian version of Strictly — where he reached the semi-finals with actress Bianca Guaccero, 43 — hangs in the balance: “It is the same as you said to me before about Strictly, I don’t know? I will tell you why, I am focused on the eight months of tour that is coming up.”

Gio joined the show in 2015, reaching the final in his first year with actress Georgia May Foote, 33, and winning in 2021 with EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis, 30.