Strictly stars banned from discussing Giovanni Pernice row as BBC scramble to silence scandal
DESPERATE BBC bosses have gagged Strictly’s cast over the Giovanni Pernice bullying row amid fears over the show’s family-friendly reputation.
Execs are desperate to quieten the noise around the scandal before the TV dance contest’s 20th anniversary celebrations, so are trying to shut down the narrative.
It comes after head judge Shirley Ballas last week said dance pro Gio — who has been accused of “toxic behaviour” — was a “perfect gentleman” to her.
Now, a show dancer has told The Sun the cast are banned from speaking about him.
The pro, who we are not naming, said the gag would remain in place until the BBC investigation into the Italian’s behaviour was complete.
Giovanni, 33, faces a BBC probe after his former celebrity dance partner Amanda Abbington said she had PTSD following her time dancing with him.
Gio rejects all allegations and has now quit the show, while Amanda, 50, is being backed by two other female stars who are helping the BBC probe.
A source said: “When Amanda’s claims first came to light no one could have foreseen the drama would still be raging so ferociously six months later.
“We’re just a few weeks away from the 2024 cast reveal and bosses are worried the scandal is now dangerously close to overshadowing the new series.
“A lot of work has gone into it as it’s the 20th anniversary, and now — still — all anyone talks about is Giovanni.
“Shirley launching such a passionate defence of him was far from helpful and stoked the flames. Bosses hope gagging the cast will help.
“It will require some fancy footwork, but the cast have all been trained on how to handle questioning and politely sidestep difficult topics.”
Shirley, 63, moved to defend her Italian colleague, who has been her friend for ten years, at an event plugging her book last week, as revealed by The Sun.
She said: “He has always been to me — and I will make that clear, to me — a perfect gentleman.”
Yesterday, The Sun on Sunday revealed Amanda was too scared to leave home after death threats from online trolls.
A BBC spokesperson said: “We recently issued a statement urging the media not to indulge in speculation about complaints related to a high profile show; and as we made clear, anyone involved in a complaint has a right to both confidentiality and fair process.”