Latest news with #GiovanniPernice
The Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Iconic British Olympian in talks to join Strictly Come Dancing as BBC bid to clean up scandal-hit show
OLYMPICS running legend Sir Mo Farah is in talks to appear on this year's Strictly Come Dancing. BBC chiefs are courting his team in a bid to restore the scandal-hit show's family-friendly image, it is understood. 3 Its reputation was dented when actress Amanda Abbington accused her professional partner Giovanni Pernice of bullying in 2023. Team GB hero Sir Mo, 42, however, is seen by BBC bosses as a 'genuine national treasure' whose squeaky-clean image and profile would be popular with viewers and rebuild trust. A source said: 'His personality would provide the perfect tonic to the toxicity that's overshadowed Strictly. "Bosses would love to sign him up but the talks are at a very early stage.' Sir Mo won 5,000 and 10,000m golds at the London and Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2012 and 2016. He came fifth in I'm A Celebrity . . . in 2020 when it filmed in Wales because of Covid. Asked if he would consider Strictly, Somalia-born Sir Mo replied: 'Hopefully, when the time is right,' before joking he had 'two left feet'. He would not say if he had had an approach. A BBC spokeswoman declined to comment.
The Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Controversial Strictly star forced to slash ticket prices by 50% after show scandal meant tour failed to sell out
STRICTLY Come Dancing pros have slashed tickets to one of their upcoming shows after failing to sell out. The performance, scheduled at New Theatre Oxford tomorrow (Tuesday 17th June), will see two faces join forces as part of their joint tour. 3 3 Giovanni Pernice, who famously left Strictly after Amanda Abbington triggered a probe into his backstage behaviour, has teamed up with Anton Du Beke for a tour they've named 'Together Again'. However, tickets have now been slashed to 50% off via the Show Film First in order to fill seats, with £43 tickets now going for £20.91. At their most expensive, tickets were going for £143 each, but now available for just £53. The entire balcony has also been closed off in order to bring ticketholders down to lower (and typically pricier) seats. The Together Again tour will continue across the UK through to the end of July. Giovanni and Anton have been longtime collaborators, with their travel show being axed in the wake of the Giovanni scandal, despite earning a Bafta nomination. Giovanni has since been cleared of all but six allegations made against him by former partners, including Abbington. Whilst Giovanni was cleared of being physically abusive to Amanda Abbington, he stressed that it made last year 'a dark year'. He said previously: '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. "That was one of my down moments. Sorry for my language but 2024 can f**k off," he added. "I've been looking forward to seeing the back of it.' Giovanni Pernice stands by strict methods as he reveals upset at not winning the Glitterball with 'brilliant' Amanda Despite the Sicilian dancer sharing his hopes to rejoin the series, The Sun recently revealed that Simone Arena is set to replace him. The hunky Italian, 33, is the boyfriend of Michelle Tsiakkas, 29, who is also on the show, will join in the Autumn as one of two new pros. But all is not lost for Gio, who managed to bag over £1million in the last financial year – his most lucrative to date – via other television appearances, dance workshops, and moving to the Italian version of Strictly, Ballando con le Stelle. 3
The Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Strictly Come Dancing's Dianne reveals show's two new pro dancers have been signed up after Gio and Graziano's sackings
DIANNE Buswell has confirmed Strictly Come Dancing has signed up two new professionals after Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima's exits from the show. Giovanni, 34, sensationally quit Strictly in May last year following allegations about his behaviour in rehearsals from former partner Amanda Abbington. 3 3 3 Months later Graziano, 31, was sacked after an altercation with Zara McDermott during her time on the show. Now fellow professional Dianne, 36, has revealed two new dancers will join the competition when Strictly returns later this year. Speaking on her podcast with Chris McCausland, she told her co-host: 'You were in my dream the other day. 'We've got two new pros this year on Strictly - don't know who they are yet - a new boy and a new girl.' Comedian Chris, 48 - who won the show with Dianne last year - asked: 'Who are they getting rid of?' Dianne replied: 'Nobody, but we're adding two more. I dreamt that you were the new pro male. But I was fake happy, and it's really mean for me to say that, but I wasn't really happy for you. 'I was like, 'what the hell? He's going to think he's better than me now'. 'And to make it worse you won the series, so you were a double winner and I was like, 'this isn't fair, now everyone's going to think it wasn't me who made him win it was actually himself that won it the first time'.' Last month The Sun revealed one of the new dancers in talks to join the show after he was seen in rehearsals with the team. We told how dancer and choreographer Luke Miller is hotly tipped to be announced as one of professionals. An insider revealed: 'Luke has so much experience and is already loved by everyone so he seems like a very obvious fit. 'There have been some very big clues recently that haven't gone unnoticed. Everyone thinks it's just a matter of time before Luke is announced.'
Daily Mirror
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
BBC bosses' battle to save Strictly as 2025 'no more scandal' line-up leaked
The BBC are demanding a 'no more scandal' policy on Strictly and are determined to make sure the 2025 line-up is the safest yet with a royal and Blue Peter stars being considered There is a "terrible, terrible fear" among BBC executives that Strictly Come Dancing will be struck by scandal again this year - and every effort is being made to ensure all contestants are squeaky clean. The show has been dogged by shocking headlines in recent years, and this weekend EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick - on the show in 2024 - was suspended by the BBC after using a slur against people with disabilities on the set of Strictly while filming in Blackpool. That came after Giovanni Pernice ws involved allegations of bullying and aggressive behaviour made by his partner Amanda Abbington, forcing the corporation to launched an internal investigation. In May, radio host Wynne Evans announced he is leaving his role after the broadcaster decided not to renew his contract. He apologised for making what he described as an "inappropriate and unacceptable" comment during the Strictly Come Dancing live tour launch in December. The crude sexualised remark was aimed at dance pro and It Takes Two host Janette Manrara. Now the BBC want to go risk free and are leaving no stone unturned to make sure the line-up is as safe as possible. Blue Peter presenters Joel Mawhinney and Shini Muthukrishnan are said to be under consideration - as is Tom Parker Bowles, the son of Queen Camilla. Georgia Toffolo - the I'm a Celebrity Jungle Queen - is reportedly being lined up, as is Girls Aloud singer Nicola Roberts. Newly married former Love Island star Dani Dyer is being considered, it has been reported, with former Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan another name high up on bosses' list. "There is a terrible, terrible fear among those high up that these awful things are going to keep happening and the show will be brought into disrepute again and again," one well-place BBC insider has told MailOnline. "With that in mind, they are taking no chances. "There will be stringent checks, and asking around, and digging into potential stars' backgrounds to make sure that they're not choosing anyone who might damage the show. For years, there was the whole Strictly 'curse' where the contestants and professionals kept having affairs. But that stopped. "Changes were made to the partnerships and it worked. There have been other issues in the past couple of years, though. What's been even more embarrassing for the BBC is that Wynne and Jamie have been from their own stable of stars. Going forward, those at the top want a wholesome image to shine through. No more scandal – just joy." This weekend EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick declared he is "deeply sorry" for using a derogatory term about disabled people. The shock news came six months after he was competing on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing - which is when the incident is said to have taken place. Get Strictly scandal updates straight to your WhatsApp! As Strictly faces yet another scandal over the Jamie and Wynne 'sex toy video', we'll be sending all the latest updates to our Strictly Come Dancing WhatsApp group. We'll send you the latest breaking news and exclusives all directly to your phone. Users must download or already have WhatsApp on their phones to join in. All you have to do to join is click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! We may also send you stories from other titles across the Reach group. We will also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The 30-year-old actor has appeared on EastEnders since 2006 in which he plays Jay Brown. However, it is stated he is on suspension from the soap following the revelation he used offensive language in a video that was allegedly shared with friends. He has issued a grovelling apology which has been shared by The Sun on Sunday, stating: 'I want to apologise sincerely and wholeheartedly for the words I used in the video showing my reaction to making it through Blackpool week on Strictly. 'I am deeply sorry for any offence and upset my words and actions have caused. It is no excuse, but I did not fully understand the derogatory term I used and its meaning. That is on me completely. 'Now I am aware, I am deeply embarrassed to have used the term and directed it in the way I did. It was wrong." He went on to issue an apology to the people of Blackpool and reiterate his regret over his words. The Mirror has contacted a representative of the star for comment.
The Sun
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Giovanni Pernice's ex girlfriend eyed up for Love Island as ITV2 show aims for most dramatic series yet
GIOVANNI Pernice's ex-girlfriend has had talks over joining Love Island to find new romance. Boxing ring girl Molly Brown, 26, dated the ex-Strictly Come Dancing pro for several months last year during his bullying scandal. 2 2 It did not last so ITV2 bosses approached the model for this series. A source said: 'TV execs love a famous ex and the chance for Molly to spill the beans on the biggest scandal for their rival channel the BBC was very tempting. 'She could feature later in the series if show action allows, but ITV do speak to hundreds of singles every year to ensure there's a wide cast ready for every storyline.' Molly began dating Gio, 34, in February 2024. They split after three weeks, got back together and dated until July when the drama around Amanda Abbington 's allegations grew too much for the couple. Giovanni is now dating actress Bianca Guaccero. The pair met on the Italian version of Strictly, and recently shared snaps from a loved-up getaway in Barbados. Maya Jama will launch Love Island on Monday night at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
