Under fire Giovanni Pernice blows £1k on fruit machines at dingy shop amid Strictly bullying probe
STRICTLY’S Giovanni Pernice blew nearly £1,000 on fruit machines in a dingy amusement arcade.
The dancer, 33, is a regular at one dimly-lit venue, where he was pictured arriving at 9.45am this week — before moving on to a second nearby in West London.
The professional dancer was seen leaving dimly-lit Silver Time, where he is a regular punter, on Monday.
He spent nearly an hour inside, pumping cash into his favourite gambling machines, before heading a few doors down to Admiral Casino.
Sources told The Sun that Gio, who is at the centre of a bullying probe on the BBC dance show, spends hundreds of pounds in Silver Time in West London, and that he popped in three times last week.
He is thought to have lost £1,000 during his recent visits.
An insider said: “Giovanni comes in quite often and at all times of the day, not just the morning.
“He’d not been seen for a while but came in three times last week.
“He was spending up to £300 a time and he always plays on the same four fruit machines, betting £2 a spin.
“Sometimes he loses, but he wins too. He never gets angry when he’s gambling and he’s always perfectly polite.
“Sometimes he’ll just come in to have a coffee and a quick bet, then go.”
Gio was snapped wearing casual Dolce & Gabbana jogging bottoms and a white top with the logo “Made in Italy” across it as he emerged from Silver Time.
At one point, he popped outside for a cig break before heading to the other slots shop, Admiral Casino, at 12 noon. He was later seen eating a pastry bought from bakery chain Paul.
Gio vehemently denies the bullying allegations against him and has vowed to clear his name.
Former dance partner, actress Amanda Abbington, 50, said she was diagnosed with PTSD after she was paired with him last year.
Ex-Love Island host Laura Whitmore, 39, is also contributing to the probe.
Two ex-Met cops are helping the BBC investigate the claims.
Gio has been backed by the show’s head judge Shirley Ballas, 63. She revealed he was attending a party of hers tomorrow and said: “I have known Giovanni for ten years.
“He has always been, to me — and I will make that clear — a perfect gentleman.”
Shirley added: “My feeling for Giovanni is, let them do this investigation and the truth will come out. So we don’t judge anybody until I know absolutely, 100 per cent.”
A rep for Gio was approached for comment about the visits to the amusement centres.
It came as the pro dancer was said to be in advanced talks to join Dancing With The Stars, the Italian version of Strictly.
Show bosses reportedly want him to appear as a judge — but are also open to him signing up as a dancer.
He would start in August after finishing his live dance tour with Strictly judge pal Anton Du Beke.
Giovanni Pernice Strictly scandal timeline
October 2023: Amanda abruptly withdraws from Strictly having already missed one live show. Her departure is announced in a vague BBC statement that ‘wishes her the best’.
Giovanni posts a short message on social media addressing the exit, which read: “Amanda… I am so sad we can’t continue but I am proud of what we achieved and I am sending you so much love.”
Amanda then shares her own farewell statement on Instagram thanking co-stars but failing to mention Gio.
Giovanni’s dad Piero insists there were no signs of a fall out and the pairing could have gone all the way. He praised his son as kind and polite.
November 2023: Giovanni is reportedly gutted by the situation and is considering his Strictly future as questions are raised about his conduct.
January 2024: Amanda’s PTSD diagnosis comes to light and she demands CCTV from rehearsals to prove that Giovanni’s training methods weren’t acceptable.
The BBC issues a statement defending its duty of care to contestants, insisting it takes any claims of wrongdoing very seriously.
The Corporation stands by its man after emergency meeting
March 2024: Giovanni publicly states he has no intention of leaving Strictly in a TV interview with close pal Anton du Beke.
Ranvir Singh and Laura Whitmore enter the picture. Allegedly the two celebs, who were both previously partnered with Giovanni on Strictly, didn’t feel the BBC took their issues with his methods seriously enough.
The pair have a closed meeting with Amanda where tears are said to be shed.
May 2024: We reveal Giovanni is leaving the programme after having talks with show bosses
He leaves the country with girlfriend Molly Brown on holiday
The BBC launches an internal investigation after three complainants instruct lawyers. A source describes it as a “nightmare situation”.