Giovanni Pernice was axed from Strictly Come Dancing after an investigation was launched into claims he had been “abusive” towards Amanda Abbington.

Strictly Come Dancing star Giovanni Pernice has opened up about the ordeal he faced during the show’s bullying scandal, confessing that he feared his career was over.

The Italian dancer, 34, shared how he endured “dark times” following an internal BBC investigation which began after his former dance partner Amanda Abbington left the BBC programme in October 2023, alleging he had been “abusive” towards her.

The investigation sustained a portion of the complaints, upholding six out of 17 charges against Giovanni, but cleared him of any physical abuse towards the Sherlock actress.

Determined to distance himself from accusations of bullying, Giovanni maintains he was just a “strict teacher”.

Looking ahead with optimism, Giovanni is eager to move past the tumultuous events of 2023 as he returned to the spotlight in Channel 4’s Celebrity Hunted on Saturday evening (January 4).

Giovanni believed his career was over after the Strictly scandal (Image: BBC)

Speaking to The Sunday Mirror, he conveyed his relief at putting the difficult year behind him, saying: “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.

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

Giovanni said the situation made him realise he needed to be a better man, adding: “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. I know what the truth is, I know who I am, so you just wait and move on with life.”

Giovanni credits his competitive nature for his successful career (Image: Instagram/Giovanni Pernice)

After the scandal unfolded, Giovanni decided to take life “day by day” because he never knew what was round the corner.

He went on: “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, who won the 2021 series of Strictly alongside Rose Ayling-Allis, credits his competitive nature for his successful career, admitting: “Competitiveness, you know, it’s what I do for a living. I was born that way, so I’ve got that competitiveness in me and nobody will ever take it out of me, whatever I do.

“If I’m on the run, if I’m on a dance show, if I playing cards with my mates, you know, if there is a competition, I’m there. That’s what keeps me going when I face any adversity in my life. I have to think positively.

“Since the age of seven I started to compete in dance competitions. Everything I do, I always find a solution or a way to make it work. I just think I am built that way. I built myself that way.”