Former Strictly professional Giovanni Pernice looked gloomy as he walked around London on Wednesday.
The dancer, 33, was suspended from the show last month while a BBC investigation continues into claims of off-camera misconduct by Amanda Abbington, 50, and two other former celebrity partners. He denies all the allegations against him.
It came just before another dancer on the show, Graziano Di Prima, 30, was axed from the series last week amid reports he verbally and physically abused his celebrity partner Zara McDermott, 27, during last year’s series.
According to bystanders, it appeared Giovanni was going on a trip when he was spotted outside Covent Garden tube station on Wednesday.
The dancer carried an HB London suitcase with the words ‘lovely jubbly’ on it, with a Louis Vuitton backpack on top.
Former Strictly professional Giovanni Pernice looked gloomy as he walked around London on Wednesday
The dancer, 33, was suspended from the show last month while a BBC investigation is conducted into claims of off-screen misconduct by Amanda Abbington, 50
An onlooker, 40, from London, said: ‘It looked like he was going somewhere. He was texting on his phone. It looked like he was travelling somewhere.
“He looked quite pensive. He seemed to be thinking about something before he went somewhere.”
Giovanni denies the allegations and left the dance show last month.
It comes after Strictly bosses announced plans to introduce mentors into training, and the appointment of two new welfare producers following the show’s recent scandals.
On Tuesday they announced they would be taking ‘additional steps to strengthen the welfare and support of Strictly Come Dancing.’
A BBC statement said: ‘The concerns raised over the past few months were fundamentally about training and rehearsals. The actions we are announcing today are designed to address that.’
The new measures include having a member of the production team present at rehearsals in the training room at all times and providing more support to both celebrity contestants and professional dancers.
Giovanni denies the claims and left the dance show last month (seen dancing with Amanda on the show)
Amanda left the competition midway through the series, citing personal reasons after weeks of rumors of a feud with Giovanni (pictured during rehearsals)
It came just before another dancer on the show, Graziano Di Prima, 30, was axed from the series last week amid reports he verbally and physically abused his celebrity partner Zara McDermott, 27, during last year’s series.
For these additional tasks, a celebrity welfare producer and a professional dancer welfare producer will be appointed. In addition, additional training will be provided for the production team and crew.
Kate Phillips, director of unscripted at the BBC, said: ‘We know that our shows have been a positive experience for the vast majority of participants. However, if concerns are raised with us or we are made aware of inappropriate behaviour, we will always take it seriously and take action.
‘The concerns that have arisen fundamentally relate to training and rehearsals. The decisive steps we have taken and announced today serve to further enhance the well-being and support for everyone involved in this production.’
The announcement came just hours after former Love Island star Zara broke her silence on the scandal.
On Tuesday morning, she wrote on Instagram that while much of her time on Strictly was “everything I could have imagined” in the training room with Graziano, there were “particular incidents that were incredibly painful”.
Sources have told the Mail that the allegations have prompted bosses to widen the investigation to look into other matters and people involved in the dance series as the organisation prepares to mark its 20th anniversary.
That means Giovanni, who has previously expressed his frustrations with the investigation, will have to wait even longer for the outcome, after three former dance partners, including Amanda, instructed their lawyers to file “serious complaints” about his behavior.
A television source told the Mail: “This investigation is no longer just about Giovanni, but about other, wider issues. The show has been on for 20 years and the whole façade of Strictly is so sparkly and lovely, of course there will always be people who feel aggrieved.
It comes after Strictly bosses announced plans to introduce mentors during training, and the appointment of two new welfare producers following recent show scandals.
‘Amanda’s complaints have set something big in motion. It has opened the door for others to come forward with things they are not happy with.
‘It is a huge headache for the BBC, which will soon celebrate a major milestone with its 20th anniversary.
‘Giovanni’s complaint was already a big problem, but now it seems that more research and investigation is needed.’
Sources close to Giovanni say he is confident he will be acquitted.
