It is the largest scandal to hit the dance world since JoJo Siwa’s lesbian romp video.
In a single nook, we’ve Giovanni Pernice, Strictly heartthrob and four-time present finalist. Within the different, Sherlock star and Critics’ Selection Awards nominee, Amanda Abbington.
After they have been paired up on final 12 months’s Strictly Come Dancing, Amanda abruptly give up the competitors, claiming she had been left with PTSD amid studies the duo clashed in rehearsals.
With either side seemingly adamant that they had executed nothing unsuitable, the BBC then launched a office misconduct probe into the dancer’s behaviour and consequently Giovanni give up the present.
But whereas Giovanni’s conduct is underneath investigation he has remained instructing, internet hosting common workshops for the general public via his Ballando dance college.
Subsequently, intrigued by the continuing drama and a self-confessed Strictly superfan, it wasn’t a tough determination then for me to go and provides a category a go.
As Strictly star Giovanni Pernice is underneath investigation for ‘office misconduct’ MailOnline attended a dance class thrown by the star on Sunday (pictured on the occasion)
The skilled dancer, 33, is on the centre of a bullying row after claims product of misconduct by his Strictly associate Amanda Abbington (pictured) and two different girls
So it got here to be I discovered myself becoming a member of hoardes of others who little doubt had the identical query – would we buckle underneath the stress of Giovanni’s controversial instructing model?
With Giovanni accused of getting a ‘militant and aggressive’ method to coaching, I am going to admit I used to be a bit nervous on what to anticipate.
With a view to ease myself in for the principle occasion, I had booked in for a bumper day of dance lessons, being taught the Jive by Shirley Ballas, the Quickstep by Anton Du Beke and at last the Cha Cha Cha by the person himself, Giovanni.
It was a preferred and offered out occasion, with queues stretching across the block whereas we waited to register and enter he studio.
Whereas Giovanni’s was the final class of the day, it was clearly him that folks had turned out to see.
The queue was abuzz with Strictly followers speculating on what he’d be like, with one group of ladies intrigued to see how he would appear amid the scandal.
That they had travelled all the way in which from Wales for the dance class, and have been no strangers to the occasion, having attended a number of lessons earlier than.
This was seemingly the primary one since Giovanni’s scandal, nevertheless, as they mentioned how ‘terrible’ the scenario was and expressed their sympathies for the under-fire dancer.
Unsurprisingly, your entire class gave the impression to be pro-Giovanni, erupting into cheers and applause at any time when he’d step out onto the stage.
He stored a watchful eye over proceedings earlier than his time to show, sitting in the back of the room with Shirley’s mom Audrey as the top choose taught a Jive.
Strictly judges Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke confirmed their assist for Giovanni Pernice at his dance workshop on Sunday (pictured)
Whereas Giovanni’s conduct is underneath investigation he has remained instructing, internet hosting common workshops for the general public via his Ballando dance college
As all of us discovered a spot on the dancefloor I used to be starting to really feel extra assured.
Whereas there have been just a few members who regarded like they’d come waltzing in from Pineapple Dance Studios, nearly all of the group have been unusual, middle-aged girls, certainly I’d be capable of sustain?
Sadly, that wasn’t the case.
Beneath Giovanni’s watchful eye I managed to mess up almost all of the steps, left in pure amazement at how Shirley made such sophisticated materials look so easy.
I can solely assume this wonderment confirmed on my face, as once I locked eyes with Giovanni having utterly butchered Shirley’s Jive choreography, he could not assist however let loose a bit chuckle.
Fortunately, the hour-long masterclass quickly got here to an finish and I used to be capable of catch my breath whereas Shirley and Giovanni chatted on the stage.
Whereas it has been claimed that BBC bosses have banned the solid from discussing the ‘bullying row’, Shirley could not assist however trace on the latest turmoil as she expressed her assist for Gio.
She advised the dancers it was an ‘honour and a privilege’ to be on the workshop with Giovanni, 33, including: ‘I’ve identified him for 10 years and we’re good pals…’
Providing a ‘big thanks’ to the Italian skilled for having her at his workshop, Shirley continued: ‘I can be one one that can be by his facet ceaselessly. What you see is what you get with him.’
The Queen of Latin went on to share a narrative about Giovanni’s caring facet, revealing that when her mom Audrey battled most cancers, Giovanni was a supply of consolation who remained by her facet.
Additionally attending the occasion was Anton Du Beke, 57 – who has been performing with the star on their Collectively tour.
Hopping onto the stage to show a Quickstep, the longest serving Strictly skilled wasted no time exhibiting how a lot he cared for Giovanni, wrapping him up in an enormous bear hug and calling him his ‘greatest pal.’
Anton was much less technical in his instructing model than Shirley, focusing extra on the leisure worth and having the crowds in hysterics as they practised.
Nevertheless, the pair have been precisely how I would managed them to be, the identical because the smiley professionals I’ve watched on Saturday nights for years.
So with Shirley and Anton dwelling as much as, if not, exceeding my expectations, there was solely Giovanni left to expertise.
Shirley advised the group it was an ‘honour and a privilege’ to be on the workshop with Giovanni, 33, including: ‘I’ve identified him for 10 years and we’re good pals…’ (pictured outdoors the occasion)
The Queen of Latin went on to share a narrative about Giovanni’s caring facet, revealing that when her mom Audrey (left) battled most cancers , Giovanni was a supply of consolation for her
Additionally attending the occasion was Anton Du Beke, 57 – who has been performing with the star on their Collectively tour
Arriving on the occasion to show a Quickstep, the longest serving Strictly skilled wasted no time exhibiting how a lot he cared for Giovanni, wrapping him up in an enormous bear hug
Giovanni’s glamorous girlfriend Molly Brown additionally confirmed as much as assist the star, watching the dance rehearsals with their lovely pet pooch
Immediately, it was clear that Giovanni’s class can be essentially the most intense of the three.
Whereas instructing the Cha Cha Cha, the skilled insisted that at any time when he requested a query he did not need the response to be merely ‘sure’, however ‘sure, Giovanni’.
Nevertheless, he did add with a cheeky glint in his eye: ‘I’m getting used to doing panto, I’m practising!’
Having blazed via the steps, Giovanni insisted extra usually than Shirley and Anton that he needed to observe us carry out.
Seemingly unimpressed, and rightly so, by the flailing and floundering on the dance ground, he would constantly demand we do it once more, and with a smile he uttered his catchphrase, ‘As a result of it must be excellent.’
But slightly than attempt to downplay the ‘militant’ nature of his coaching that has seen him criticised, he as an alternative leaned into it.
He appeared to joke across the Strictly scandal by referring to himself because the ‘excellent trainer’ as he watched us rehearse.
The perfectionist aspect to him was demonstrated, nevertheless, as he was the one teacher to separate us into teams to carry out so he may ‘watch us all carefully.’
There was just one second when Giovanni’s voice was raised – and this was solely as he wailed in mock agony when half the category began dancing on the depend of 1 – apparently that is ‘unlawful’ within the Cha Cha Cha.
He even warned, ‘I’ll bounce off this stage’ if we did it once more, which turned out to be a hole menace due to course all of us promptly did.
Having paid £255 for the privilege of my three-hour dance extravaganza, nevertheless, I used to be happy to be pushed.
In the event you’re studying from an trade chief in spite of everything, you then may as effectively benefit from it.
Because it seems, in my bid to uncover simply how I’d react to Giovanni’s instructing model, I ended up falling for his cha-cha-charm
Giovanni himself had made it clear from the beginning that this was to be a ‘enjoyable day’, an opportunity to ‘make new pals and be taught some new dances’.
So I can think about that the rehearsals for Strictly – when there’s much more at stake than getting just a few selfies with the judges – is much extra intense.
Giovanni has beforehand spoken about his aggressive nature, declaring: ‘I am positively a perfectionist.
‘Like all people else, I wish to win. However for me it is extra about bringing the perfect out of companions, particularly if I see that there’s expertise there. I wish to do my job correctly.’
All through the scandal, nevertheless, Giovanni has maintained a dignified silence, talking out simply as soon as to publicly ‘reject any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour’.
For now, it stays to be seen precisely occurred in coaching with himself and Amanda Abbington.
It has been reported that Amanda demanded bosses hand over video footage of their rehearsals as she apparently hopes it’s going to ‘again up’ her claims towards the singer.
In the meantime, BBC bosses are mentioned to be ‘scouring 9 years of footage’ from Giovanni’s Strictly as a part of their misconduct probe.
Amanda has since rubbished claims Giovanni requested for his or her rehearsals to be recorded over rising issues about her behaviour.
‘I requested for them to be recorded, it was me,’ she advised The Mail. ‘Giovanni is nasty. He was terrible to a couple of us, a gaggle of us.’
The actress is alleged to have met with Gio’s earlier dance companions Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh earlier this 12 months for an ’emotional summit’ to ‘examine notes’ about their time.
Giovanni launched a fightback by hiring rival legislation agency Schillings. His case is being dealt with by Joelle Wealthy, 39, who represented Johnny Depp in his libel trial in 2020.
Giovanni has confronted a wave of scrutiny ever since Amanda (pictured) dramatically give up final 12 months
In 2016, former Love Island host Laura Whitmore mentioned she ‘cried daily’ and felt ‘uncomfortable’ whereas coaching with him
Good Morning Britain presenter Ranvir Singh additionally complained about Giovanni to producers again in 2020, throughout their time on the present
Former companions have additionally come out to again him, together with Debbie McGee, the widow of the magician Paul Daniels, who was paired with him in 2017
Nevertheless, it may take months to ascertain what occurred between the pair, with sources saying the BBC probe into Giovanni may rumble onto subsequent 12 months.
The end result of the investigation should in fact be revered, but having watched Giovanni on the present for years I really feel it is a disgrace that he will not be returning to the Strictly ballroom.
As a substitute, I am going to need to make do with attending one other one in every of Gio’s workshops.
Whereas there’s in all probability no probability that me and my two left toes will be capable of sustain with the others, I am going to admit I am very eager to offer one other class a go.
Because it seems, in my bid to uncover simply how I’d react to Giovanni’s instructing model, I ended up falling for his cha-cha-charm.