Giovanni Pernice (born 5 September 1990) is an Italian professional dancer based in the United Kingdom, best known for his appearances on the British television show Strictly Come Dancing.
He is also an Italian Open Latin Dance Champion (2012), and the Guinness World Record holder for Jive kicks and flicks, as well as Charleston swivels.
[1] On 10 June 2024, following "numerous serious complaints" about his behaviour while coaching his dance partners in Strictly, his departure from the show was confirmed by the BBC.
[7][8] Pernice is a member of the Federazione Italiana Danza Sportiva, part of the World DanceSport Federation, and he competed at Youth and Adult levels between 2007 and 2014.
They reached the final of the competition but finished as joint runners-up alongside Kellie Bright and her professional partner, Kevin Clifton.
They were eliminated in Week 7 in a dance-off with Ore Oduba and Joanne Clifton, the eventual Series 14 champions, and finished in 9th place.
[14] In 2018, Pernice competed in the sixteenth series of Strictly Come Dancing, partnered with Steps singer Faye Tozer.
[17] In 2020, Pernice reached the semi-final of the eighteenth series with his partner Ranvir Singh, before being eliminated in a dance off with Jamie Laing and Karen Hauer.
Pernice is the current Guinness World Record holder for Jive kicks and flicks, performing 55 in 30 seconds in a challenge held in December 2016.
[23] In March 2024, The Sun said that Abbington, Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh had met to discuss their negative experiences with Pernice on the show.
[24] Legal firm Carter Ruck told BBC News there were "numerous serious complaints" about his behaviour while filming Strictly.
[27] It was reported in September 2024 that the BBC had issued an apology to Amanda Abbington and upheld her complaints of verbal bullying and harassment against Pernice, but rejected allegations of physical aggression.
The BBC acknowledged that while the production team had taken steps to address the issues, these measures were ultimately deemed inadequate, prompting a review of their internal protocols.
1 Score from guest judge Anton du Beke The Couple's Choice dance with Rose Ayling-Ellis, in week 8, featured a period of silence, included as a tribute to the deaf community.
[48] Since 2024, Pernice is in a relationship with his Ballando con le Stelle partner, actress and TV presenter Bianca Guaccero.