Giovanni Pernice is hit with another blow in Strictly bullying row as ‘male celebrity complains and offers support to the three female stars launching legal action’… but head judge Shirley Ballas stands by under-fire pro

A male celebrity has joined the group of women making complaints about Giovanni Pernice’s behaviour during their time on Strictly Come Dancing, according to reports.

Last month, it was confirmed three women, including Amanda Abbington, had hired £700-an-hour lawyers at leading London law firm Carter Ruck to pursue claims against Giovanni and the BBC.

The BBC have launched an investigation after the dancer, 33, was accused of ‘threatening and abusive behaviour’ while working with Amanda, 52, Good Morning Britain presenter Ranvir Singh, 46, and former Love Island host Laura Whitmore, 39, on the show – something which he vehemently denies. 

Despite the furore, head judge Shirley Ballas has stood by the under-fire pro and will join him in hosting a number of dance classes in London next month.  

Named Ballando, the one day event is led by Shirley, Giovanni and Anton Du Beke as they share their expertise with fans. 

In the latest twist of the bitter legal battle, the unnamed star, who worked with Giovanni during his time on the show, is said to have shared his experiences with the law firm.

‘After three women came forward, a man has now joined their ranks. He personally reached out to the women at the heart of this unfolding crisis, offering them his support and full backing,’ a source told The Sun. 

‘He has also been in touch with Carter Ruck and told them what he knows, and shared his experiences. These experiences were, at times, very tricky.’ 

Giovanni launched a fightback by hiring rival law firm Schillings. His case is being handled by Joelle Rich, 39, who represented Johnny Depp in his libel trial in 2020. 

A spokesman for Giovanni told the publication: ‘Schillings is engaging with BBC Studios to provide it with Giovanni’s evidence to strongly rebut the claims being made about him and confirm Giovanni is fully cooperating.

‘As with any reality TV show, when decisions are being made for entertainment reasons, the producers have a duty of care to all participants.’ 

MailOnline has contacted Giovanni’s representatives. Strictly declined to comment. 

Amanda left the competition mid-way through the series, citing personal reasons after weeks of rumours about a feud with Giovanni. 

The Sherlock star said she was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and demanded to see footage from rehearsals. 

Over the weekend, Amanda rubbished reports Giovanni had asked the BBC to record his rehearsals with the actress over growing concerns about her behaviour – claiming she had requested their dance practices to be filmed, not him. 

‘I asked for them to be recorded, it was me. Giovanni is nasty. He was awful to a few of us, a group of us.’ 

Amanda went on to describe how her life had been devastated by the experience, which has exploded since she quit the show abruptly in the middle of the last series. 

In January, she claimed she had suffered post-traumatic stress disorder after working with Giovanni, and later complained of sustaining a bruised foot in training.

‘You don’t understand how awful this all is,’ she said. ‘Giovanni’s fans have started trolling me now. I have had to come off social media and I’m getting death threats.’

The actress also insisted that she had complained of Giovanni’s behaviour soon into the series. ‘I went to producers early on and told them about Giovanni,’ she said.

And she lamented of the fallout: ‘All of this because I didn’t enjoy a television programme. I didn’t enjoy it because of all of this.’

Amanda has led the charge in accusing him of ‘difficult behaviour’ during training and is currently speaking with the BBC to discuss possible workplace misconduct. 

The actress is said to have met with Laura  and Ranvir  earlier this year for an ’emotional summit’ to ‘compare notes’ about their time working with Giovanni amid the BBC’s probe. 

No details of how Giovanni is alleged to have behaved have yet been released. But the BBC put out an unprecedented statement about the dispute. 

A Strictly spokesman said: ‘If a complaint is made to the BBC, we assess and take any necessary steps to establish the facts, whether there is a case to answer, and, if appropriate, what action should be taken.

‘This is all within the context of the BBC having duties of care to everyone linked to a complaint – that applies to those that have raised the complaint and to those that have been complained about.

‘Whilst we know our shows have been positive experiences for many of those who have taken part, we will always look at any issues raised with care, fairness and sensitivity to everyone concerned.’

Sources familiar with the situation say the BBC came under pressure from Amanda’s team to say publicly that it was she who asked for the rehearsals to be taped.

A source said: ‘It’s terrible, really. Amanda wanted the BBC to set her record straight, to confirm her version of events. But of course they can’t. It just shows that if she doesn’t like what is being said, she shouts loudly about it.’

Giovanni previously shared a post to Instagram detailing that he was ‘totally surprised’ by the allegations, which he denies. 

He said in a statement: ‘You will be as surprised as I am that allegations have been made about my dance teaching methods in the media this week.

‘Of course, I reject any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour, and I look forward to clearing my name.

‘Those who have followed my journey on Strictly Come Dancing over the last decade will know that I am passionate and competitive. No-one is more ambitious for my dance partners than me.

‘I have always striven to help them be the very best dancers they can be. This has always come from a place of love and wanting to win – for me and my dance partners.

‘Thank you all once again for your continued love and support!’

Other former partners have also come out to back him, including Debbie McGee, the widow of the magician Paul Daniels, who was paired with him in 2017.

Giovanni also had a positive relationship with deaf contestant Rose Ayling-Ellis, 29, whom he led to a triumphant victory in 2021, with the pair going on to win a TV BAFTA for their silent dance routine.

Shortly after Amanda’s allegations, Debbie shared a beaming throwback picture of her and Giovanni taken backstage during their stint together. ‘Happy memories, Giovanni and I had the best of times on Strictly,’ she said in the caption.

He hasn’t completely cut ties with BBC, however, with another insider revealing that the BBC is considering commissioning another travel series with Anton Du Beke following strong viewer feedback.