Strictly Come Dancing’s Shilrey Ballas has once again seemingly defended ‘good friend’ Giovanni Pernice after he was accused of exhibiting ‘threatening and abusive’ behaviour towards his celebrity dance partners. 

While it’s been claimed that BBC bosses have banned the cast from discussing the  ‘bullying row’, Shirley, 63, told The Sun that gruelling training can sometimes be ‘super-strict’ and include ‘cruel words’ that are ‘not delivered in a great way’.

Giovanni, 33, is at the centre of a bullying row after claims made of misconduct by his Strictly partner Amanda Abbington, 52, and two other women, which led to him quitting the show amid the scandal.

Shirley told the publication: ‘I’ve known Giovanni for 10 years, and he’s a good friend of mine. But I’m not involved on any side of that [the investigation]’.

Saying that she planned to not to speak out of turn and ‘stay in her lane’ which is ballroom dancing, insisted everyone goes into Strictly with the simple hope to entertain.

Strictly Come Dancing's Shirley Ballas, 63, has once again seemingly defended 'good friend' Giovanni Pernice after he was accused of exhibiting 'threatening and abusive' behaviour towards his celebrity dance partners
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Strictly Come Dancing’s Shirley Ballas, 63, has once again seemingly defended ‘good friend’ Giovanni Pernice after he was accused of exhibiting ‘threatening and abusive’ behaviour towards his celebrity dance partners

While it's been claimed that BBC bosses have banned the cast from discussing the 'bullying row', Shirley said that gruelling training can sometimes include 'cruel words; that are 'not delivered in a great way' (Shirley pictured with Giovanni)
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While it’s been claimed that BBC bosses have banned the cast from discussing the ‘bullying row’, Shirley said that gruelling training can sometimes include ‘cruel words; that are ‘not delivered in a great way’ (Shirley pictured with Giovanni)

Giovanni, 33, is at the centre of a bullying row after claims made of misconduct by his Strictly partner Amanda Abbington (pictured) and two other women, which led to him quitting the show amid the scandal
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Giovanni, 33, is at the centre of a bullying row after claims made of misconduct by his Strictly partner Amanda Abbington (pictured) and two other women, which led to him quitting the show amid the scandal

‘You don’t want to kill their enthusiasm or the thought that they can be the Glitterball champion. So, I think sometimes, words can be cruel and people deliver them in not a great way. I learned the difference.’

She continued: ‘I can be super-strict when somebody is trying to win the gold medal, then I can still be quite strict but in a positive way on Strictly so they will learn something. That’s always ongoing for me. I’m always searching for the best way I can bring great constructive criticism.’

Last week Shirley and fellow judge Anton Du Beke showed their support for Giovanni by teaching at his Ballando dance workshop.

As Shirley she came onto the stage to teach a Jive, she told the dancers it was an ‘honour and a privilege’ to be at the workshop with Giovanni adding: ‘I’ve known him for 10 years and we’re good friends…’

Offering a ‘huge thank you’ to the Italian professional for having her at his workshop, Shirley continued: ‘I will be one person who will be by his side forever. What you see is what you get with him.’

The Queen of Latin went on to share a story about Giovanni’s caring side, revealing that when her mother Audrey battled cancer, Giovanni was a source of comfort for her.

She recalled: ‘He was by my side and even when we were both so busy he would always ask how she was.

‘We were at an event with a bunch of VIPs and me and mum were on the other side of the room but Giovanni moved past them all to come and speak to us.’

Saying that she planned to not to speak out of turn and 'stay in her lane' which is ballroom dancing, insisted everyone goes into Strictly with the simple hope to entertain
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Saying that she planned to not to speak out of turn and ‘stay in her lane’ which is ballroom dancing, insisted everyone goes into Strictly with the simple hope to entertain

She said: 'You don't want to kill their enthusiasm or the thought that they can be the Glitterball champion. So, I think sometimes, words can be cruel and people deliver them in not a great way. I learned the difference.'
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She said: ‘You don’t want to kill their enthusiasm or the thought that they can be the Glitterball champion. So, I think sometimes, words can be cruel and people deliver them in not a great way. I learned the difference.’

Last week Shirley and fellow judge Anton Du Beke (L) showed their support for Giovanni (R) by teaching at his Ballando dance workshop
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Last week Shirley and fellow judge Anton Du Beke (L) showed their support for Giovanni (R) by teaching at his Ballando dance workshop

While Giovanni has been at the receiving end of much criticism amid the bullying row, Shirley can no doubt relate, having also dealt with backlash and trolling.

At the event she was joined by her social media manager, who she hired to ward off the abuse she faces online.

Seeming emotional, Shirley confessed that being trolled is ‘horrendous’ and she had to bring in someone to ‘delete all the comments from trolls’.

Also attending the event was Anton Du Beke, 57 – who has been performing with the star on their Together tour.

Arriving at the event to teach a Quickstep, the longest serving Strictly professional wasted no time showing how much he cared for Giovanni, wrapping him up in a huge bear hug and calling him his ‘best friend.’

Shirley and Anton showed their support for the star hours after he was dealt with the fresh blow that the BBC probe investigating his conduct could run into next year.

The professional dancer is at the centre of a bullying row after claims made of misconduct by his Strictly partner Amanda  and two other women.

Up to five celebrities have ‘already provided formal statements’ to two ex-Metropolitan Police detectives who are leading the enquiry, according to The Sun.

A source said the investigation could ‘extend into next year’ and management feel there is significant ‘pressure’ to ensure it is as thorough as possible.

The source added the BBC are hoping the findings will not be published in the middle of the upcoming series as the show celebrates its 20th anniversary.

The BBC launched an investigation after Giovanni was accused of ‘bullying behaviour’ while working with celebrity contestants on the dancing show, including Amanda, Ranvir Singh and Laura Whitmore.

Amanda, left the competition mid-way through the series, citing personal reasons after weeks of rumours about a feud with Giovanni.

The Sherlock star said she was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and demanded to see footage from rehearsals.

Amanda, left the competition mid-way through the series, citing personal reasons after weeks of rumours about a feud with Giovanni (pictured during rehersals)
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Amanda, left the competition mid-way through the series, citing personal reasons after weeks of rumours about a feud with Giovanni (pictured during rehersals)

In 2016, former Love Island host Laura Whitmore said she 'cried every day' and felt 'uncomfortable' while training with him
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In 2016, former Love Island host 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 back in 2020, during their time on the show
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Good Morning Britain presenter Ranvir Singh also complained about Giovanni to producers back in 2020, during their time on the show

Former partners have also come out to back him, including Debbie McGee, the widow of the magician Paul Daniels, who was paired with him in 2017


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Former partners have also come out to back him, including Debbie McGee, the widow of the magician Paul Daniels, who was paired with him in 2017

Amanda later rubbished reports Giovanni had asked the BBC to record his rehearsals with the actress over growing concerns about her behaviour – claiming she had requested their dance practices to be filmed, not him.

‘I asked for them to be recorded, it was me. Giovanni is nasty. He was awful to a few of us, a group of us.’

The actress is said to have met with Laura  and Ranvir  earlier this year for an ’emotional summit’ to ‘compare notes’ about their time working with Giovanni amid the BBC’s probe.

Giovanni launched a fightback by hiring rival law firm Schillings. His case is being handled by Joelle Rich, 39, who represented Johnny Depp in his libel trial in 2020.

A spokesman for Giovanni said: ‘Schillings is engaging with BBC Studios to provide it with Giovanni’s evidence to strongly rebut the claims being made about him and confirm Giovanni is fully cooperating.

‘As with any reality TV show, when decisions are being made for entertainment reasons, the producers have a duty of care to all participants.’

Giovanni also shared a post to Instagram detailing that he was ‘totally 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 about my dance teaching methods in the media this week.

‘Of course, I reject any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour, and I look forward to clearing my name.

‘Those who have followed my journey on Strictly Come Dancing over the last decade will know that I am passionate and competitive. No-one is more ambitious for my dance partners than me.

‘I have always striven to help them be the very best dancers they can be. This has always come from a place of love and wanting to win – for me and my dance partners.

‘Thank you all once again for your continued love and support!’