Giovanni Pernice, the much-loved professional dancer, is reportedly gearing up for a major comeback to UK television next year with Channel 4’s hit show Celeb SAS: Who Dares Wins, following his departure from Strictly Come Dancing in 2023. This comes after a year of intense scrutiny following his exit from the BBC’s flagship dancing competition, which was marred by controversy and a high-profile dispute with actress Amanda Abbington. Now, Giovanni is ready to move forward, and his fans will be thrilled to see him back on their screens.
The 35-year-old dancer, who had been with Strictly for a successful nine years, had his run cut short after an explosive fallout with Amanda Abbington, who accused him of physical aggression and bullying after her dramatic exit from the competition. The conflict created headlines, and Giovanni’s departure was met with a mix of shock and disappointment from his fan base. However, despite the intensity of the controversy, Giovanni is reportedly enthusiastic about his new opportunity and is determined to overcome the past and get back to doing what he does best: entertaining.
Sources close to the situation revealed that Giovanni is “thrilled” to be making his return to television and has already secretly flown to Asia to film his segment on Celeb SAS: Who Dares Wins. The show, which places celebrities through an intense and physically demanding SAS selection process, will see Giovanni take on one of the toughest challenges of his career yet. The programme is designed by a team of ex-special forces operators, who will push the contestants to their limits with grueling physical and mental tasks, testing both their resilience and mental fortitude.
A source told The Sun: “Producers are absolutely thrilled by the signing of Gio. He is a real favourite with fans, especially women, so bosses are hopeful he’ll draw in a few Strictly fans, too. The fall-out from his exit was pretty brutal, but Giovanni reckons there’s nothing that can hurt him now. He’s excited to get back to doing what he does best – entertaining and giving himself a real challenge.”
Indeed, the dancer’s years of experience in high-pressure environments like Strictly may serve him well on the show. His professional training and conditioning as a dancer have made him both physically fit and mentally resilient, attributes that will undoubtedly help him survive the intense training and challenges of Celeb SAS: Who Dares Wins. According to the insider, Giovanni’s time away from the limelight has only fueled his determination to prove himself and come back stronger than ever.
Giovanni’s journey on Strictly Come Dancing was marked by immense success and popularity, and his departure from the show left many fans devastated. Joining the BBC competition in 2015, he quickly became a fan favorite with his charismatic dancing style, impeccable technique, and undeniable chemistry with his celebrity partners. However, his exit in 2023 was overshadowed by his fallout with Amanda Abbington, which sent shockwaves through the Strictly community.
The actress accused Giovanni of physical aggression and creating a hostile environment, leading to a formal investigation by the BBC. While the claims of physical aggression and threatening behavior were not upheld, the BBC did issue an apology for the verbal bullying and harassment complaints. Giovanni, however, expressed relief that the report did not find any evidence of more serious allegations, stating at the time that he was “pleased the report has not found any evidence of threatening or abusive behavior.”
Following his departure from Strictly, Giovanni turned to the Italian version of the show, Ballando con le Stelle, where he found both professional success and personal happiness. It was there that he met actress Bianca Guaccero, and the pair soon became romantically involved. Their relationship flourished, and together they went on to win the competition. Giovanni described Bianca as “exactly what he needed” during a difficult time in his life, and their victory on the Italian show was a welcomed fresh start after the storm of his Strictly exit.
In an interview with Heat magazine, Giovanni opened up about the sacrifices he and Bianca had made to make their relationship work. He expressed how important it was for them to prioritize each other and their relationship amidst the pressures of their high-profile careers. “She came into my life during not the greatest time, so I needed some security,” Giovanni admitted. “We’ve had to make sacrifices, but it’s all been worth it.”
As Giovanni now embarks on a new chapter of his career with Celeb SAS: Who Dares Wins, his fans are eager to see what he will bring to the challenge. The show, which has a strong following in the UK, tests its celebrity participants on everything from physical endurance to mental resilience. Given Giovanni’s experience as a professional dancer, he is no stranger to demanding physical routines, and his mental toughness will no doubt serve him well as he takes on the grueling selection process.
For Giovanni, this is more than just a TV comeback. It represents a chance to put the past behind him and prove to himself and his fans that he is more than just his time on Strictly. While his departure from the show was a difficult chapter in his life, it is clear that Giovanni has used the time to grow both personally and professionally. His relationship with Bianca, his success on Ballando con le Stelle, and now his return to television with Celeb SAS: Who Dares Wins are all testaments to his resilience and his ability to bounce back from adversity.
The return of Giovanni Pernice to UK television comes as part of a new wave of celebrities who are embracing different opportunities after leaving major shows behind. Celeb SAS: Who Dares Wins offers a unique platform for stars to challenge themselves in a completely different environment. It is a show that is physically demanding, emotionally intense, and mentally taxing, offering a very different kind of exposure compared to the glitzy world of Strictly. For Giovanni, it represents an opportunity to showcase a new side of himself to his fans and demonstrate his versatility.
In conclusion, Giovanni’s reported return to UK television with Celeb SAS: Who Dares Wins signals a new era for the dancer after a turbulent exit from Strictly Come Dancing. Having gone through personal and professional challenges, Giovanni’s comeback is set to be a major moment for his career. Fans of the dancer are sure to be excited to see him take on this new challenge, and Giovanni himself seems thrilled to return to the public eye in a fresh and invigorating way. His resilience, both on and off-screen, promises to make his time on Celeb SAS an exciting new chapter in his career.
