Giovanni Pernice, born on 5 September 1990 in Palermo, Sicily, Italy, is a professional dancer and choreographer who rose to international fame on the British television show Strictly Come Dancing. His journey to stardom began at the age of 14 when he moved to Bologna to focus on his passion for dance, inspired by the British ballroom dance show Come Dancing. Specialising in Latin dance styles, Pernice’s early dedication and talent propelled him to significant victories, including winning the Italian Open Latin Dance Championship in 2012, establishing him as a top competitor in Europe.
Early Career and Competitive Achievements
Pernice’s competitive dance career spans various international events. He was a member of the Federazione Italiana Danza Sportiva, affiliated with the World DanceSport Federation, competing from youth through adult levels between 2007 and 2014. Noteworthy achievements include second place at the International Open Latin event in Slovenia (2014) and multiple wins in Italian and Spanish competitions in 2011. His notable professional dance partners during this period included Erika Attisano and Alexandra Koldan, with whom he gained significant competitive experience before moving into the spotlight of televised dance.
Rise to Fame on Strictly Come Dancing
Giovanni Pernice joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2015, debuting in the show’s 13th series and quickly becoming a fan favourite. His charismatic stage presence and technical skill contributed to multiple successful partnerships:
- 2015: Paired with actress Georgia May Foote, finishing as runners-up.
- 2017: Reached the final with TV presenter Debbie McGee, again finishing second.
- 2018: Partnered with singer Faye Tozer, another runner-up finish.
- 2021: Notably, won the competition with Rose Ayling-Ellis, the first deaf contestant on the show, earning critical acclaim and a perfect score for their Halloween special Tango, which was highly celebrated.
Pernice is recognised for holding the record for the most “tens” awarded by judges (97) and frequently topping leaderboards, notably earning the nickname “King of Halloween” for his consistently high scores during Halloween-themed weeks. He is admired for his energetic Jive performances, precision, and dedication to perfection.
Controversies and Departure from Strictly Come Dancing
Despite his popularity, Pernice’s career on Strictly faced significant challenges in 2023-2024. Actress Amanda Abbington, his dance partner in the 2023 series, left the show early and made serious allegations against Pernice, accusing him of “abusive, cruel and mean” behaviour during rehearsals. The BBC launched an internal investigation into these complaints, alongside others from former partners, including Ranvir Singh and Laura Whitmore, who had also alleged verbal bullying and harassment.
The investigation cleared Pernice of the most severe allegations, including physical aggression and threatening behaviour, but upheld complaints of verbal bullying. Due to mounting pressure, Pernice confirmed his departure from Strictly in June 2024, ahead of the show’s 20th anniversary season, expressing that the ordeal had caused him dark moments and that he feared it would end his career.
The BBC apologised to Amanda Abbington for her experience, and in response to the controversies, several safeguarding and welfare measures were introduced by the production team, including the use of chaperones during rehearsals and dedicated welfare roles to support dancers.
Recent Developments and Career Revival
Following his exit from Strictly, Giovanni Pernice returned to his dance roots in Italy with impressive success. In late 2024, he won the Italian dance competition Ballando con le Stelle (Italy’s equivalent of Strictly Come Dancing) alongside his partner and girlfriend, Bianca Guaccero, a celebrated actress and singer. Pernice described the victory as a “dream come true” after a difficult year, expressing gratitude to fans in both Italy and the UK for their unwavering support.
He also participated in the 20th-anniversary special of Strictly Come Dancing and appeared on Channel 4’s Hunted celebrity edition, showcasing his versatility beyond dance. Pernice’s relationship with Bianca Guaccero has been publicly confirmed, adding a personal milestone to his professional comeback.
Giovanni Pernice’s Dance Style and Public Persona
Pernice is best known for his Latin dance expertise, specialising in high-energy styles like Jive and Charleston. His Guinness World Records for the most Jive kicks and flicks, as well as the Charleston swivels, showcase his technical prowess and dynamic performance style. His fans appreciate his passion, work ethic, and commitment to excellence, though his “perfectionist” nature has been cited as part of the behavioural issues reported.
FAQs About Giovanni Pernice
Where is Giovanni Pernice from?
Giovanni Pernice was born in Palermo, Sicily, Italy, and began his professional dance journey after moving to Bologna at age 14 to focus on dance.
What dance styles does Giovanni specialise in?
He specialises in Latin dance styles, particularly excelling in Jive, Charleston, and Argentine Tango.
Why did Giovanni Pernice leave Strictly Come Dancing?
Pernice left in 2024 following an internal BBC investigation that upheld complaints of verbal bullying and harassment from his partners during rehearsals.
What are Giovanni’s major achievements?
He is a 2012 Italian Open Latin Dance Champion, holds Guinness World Records for Jive kicks and flicks, and won Strictly Come Dancing in 2021 with Rose Ayling-Ellis.
Is Giovanni Pernice in a relationship?
Yes, he is in a relationship with Bianca Guaccero, his dance partner from Ballando Con Le Stelle, Italy’s version of Strictly.
What has Giovanni been doing since leaving Strictly?
He won Ballando Con Le Stelle and appeared on other TV programs in the UK, continuing his dance career with new projects.
Has Giovanni Pernice spoken about the controversies?
Yes, Giovanni has admitted the allegations and investigation were difficult and feared it might end his career, though he maintains he is not abusive.
