The controversy surrounding Giovanni Pernice is showing no signs of abating as two more celebrities appear to have snubbed the Strictly Come Dancing star.
BBC bosses are reportedly looking back at nine years of training footage of the Italian, 33, on the primetime show after Giovanni faced accusations of "abuse" over his alleged tough teaching style with past celebrity partners. The professional dancer has come under fire after three of his former celebrity dance partners - including actress Amanda Abbington - reportedly came together to launch legal action against his conduct on the BBC show.
Many of the professionals and celebrities, who have been part of Strictly, have refused to get involved in the drama. However, two stars who performed on the show recently, seem to have distanced themselves from the Sicilian-born star.
Coronation Street star Ellie Leach, who won Strictly last year, has chosen to unfollow Giovanni on Instagram after he refuted any allegations of "threatening and abusive" behaviour in a statement on the platform. Ellie's professional partner on the show, Vito Coppola, has also unfollowed the dancer.
Meanwhile, Olympian Ellie Simmonds, who was on Strictly in 2022, has also hit the unfollow button as the heat surrounding Giovanni continues to grow.
The star's former celebrity partner, Rose-Ayling Ellis, is also said to have distanced herself from the dancer after a source told The Sun: "Rose is finding the whole situation really tough. She had a really great experience with Gio so is really shocked by it all. She of course believes what others are saying but she is just trying to not get involved. She won’t be speaking about it publicly."
However, while, many of Giovanni's colleagues have chosen not to get involved in the furore, the Italian has unwavering support from his adoring family.
A friend of the family told MailOnline: "They are the typical Italian family and stick together through thick and thin, they are his biggest fans and they will not have a bad word said about him." When his sister Angela got married last June, she shared a picture of her and Giovanni hugging tightly on social media.
She wrote of the professional dancer at the time: "That pain in the a**e has become a man - a wonderful man. I love you, my little brother. You are my life." Discussing her family and Giovanni in other snaps from the day, she added: "Family is not important, family is everything."
When the allegations against him came out, Giovanni took to social media to share a statement denying the claims. He wrote: "To my dear fans, 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!"
The Mirror has contacted Giovanni's reps for comment.
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