Giovanni Pernice faced fresh allegations of workplace misconduct on Monday evening after a professional dancer accused him of ‘appalling’ behavior outside the BBC show.
The former Strictly Come Dancing star has come under fire for his ‘militant’ training style, with the BBC forced to investigate ‘serious claims of workplace misconduct’ after three of his celebrity partners sought legal help.
Now industry colleague Korina Travis, who performed with Pernice at private functions and has no association with Strictly, has accused the Italian dancer of behaving questionably when they worked together.
“I have known him for years as a fellow competitor and he has done terrible things to me,” she said in a statement on Monday.
‘I won’t talk about my experiences with him, but I’m glad the world sees him for who he really is. I’ll leave it at that.’
Giovanni Pernice faced further claims of workplace misconduct on Monday evening after professional dancer Korina Travis accused him of ‘appalling’ behavior
Korina, who performed with Pernice at private functions and has no association with Strictly, has accused the Italian dancer of behaving questionably when they worked together.
Travis works for ballroom company Burn The Floor with numerous former Strictly Come Dancing professionals.
She was previously considered for a role in the BBC show in 2016 before producers chose Chloe Hewitt.
Former Strictly contestants Amanda Abbington, Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh have all criticized Pernice’s methods.
According to The Sun, several women who danced with the Italian on Strictly are considering joining the three existing claimants in a Beeb investigation over ‘serious workplace misconduct claims’.
A source revealed that several of Pernice’s former dance partners have communicated privately and suggested that more names could emerge.
The source further said the future is unclear for the professional dancer, who vehemently denies any allegations of threatening or abusive behavior and has vowed to ‘clear his name’.
They revealed: ‘Numerous celebrities, all former partners of Gio, have been in contact behind the scenes.
‘Three women we know have come forward and have gone a step further by taking legal action.
In recent weeks the professional dancer has come under fire for his ‘militant’ training style, with the BBC forced to launch an investigation into ‘serious claims of workplace misconduct’.
“But Carter Ruck, the prestigious firm acting on behalf of these stars, has been quietly talking to one or two other potential claimants. In other words, more names could come out of the woodwork.”
The new claims come after the professional dancer reportedly quit Strict after the scrutiny became ‘too much’.
Following Pernice’s departure, friends close to Amanda spoke about how she found the professional dancer ‘abrasive’ and would have to have ‘crisis conversations’ with show bosses every week after being left in tears over his ‘harsh’ training method. with claims it left her ‘bruised’.
Amanda, who dramatically withdrew from the competition last year and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after the show, is said to have met Laura and Ranvir, 46, earlier this year for an ’emotional summit’ to ‘compare notes’ about their time with him to work.
Amanda Abbington (pictured) is one of the women named in the lawsuit, while Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh have also been critical in their review of him
The professional dancer shared a post on Instagram saying he was “completely surprised” by the allegations, which he denies
Pernice has faced a wave of criticism since Amanda (pictured) dramatically quit last year
Pernice shared a post on Instagram saying he was “completely surprised” by the allegations, which he denies.
He said in a statement: ‘You will be as surprised as I am that allegations have been made in the media this week about my dance teaching methods.
‘I naturally reject any suggestion of abusive or threatening behavior and I look forward to clearing my name.
‘Those who have followed my journey on Strictly Come Dancing over the last ten years will know that I am passionate and competitive. No one is more ambitious for my dance partners than me.
“I have always strived to help them become the very best dancers they can be. This has always come from a place of love and the will to win – for me and my dance partners.
“Thank you again for your continued love and support!”
In 2016, former Love Island presenter Laura Whitmore said she ‘cried every day’ and felt ‘uncomfortable’ while training with him
Good Morning Britain presenter Ranvir Singh also complained about Giovanni to producers in 2020, during their time on the show.
Former partners have also come to support him, including Debbie McGee, the widow of magician Paul Daniels, who was linked to him in 2017.