Giovanni Pernice's Strictly Come Dancing crisis deepens as 'one or two more celebrities consider legal action' amid BBC investigation over star's actions before quitting show
Giovanni Pernice could face more mounting trouble as 'at least one or two more celebrities are considering legal action' against him.
According to The Sun, several women who have danced with the 33-year-old Italian on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing are contemplating joining the three existing claimants in a Beeb investigation for 'serious workplace misconduct claims'.
Among the trio are Laura Whitmore, 39, who was Giovanni's 2016 dance partner, and Amanda Abbington, 52, who recently revealed that Giovanni stepped on her during training, prompting her to leave the show in October.
A source disclosed that several former dance partners of Giovanni's have been communicating privately and suggested that even more names could come forward.
The source went on to say that the future is unclear for the professional dancer, who vehemently denies any claims of threatening or abusive behaviour and has vowed to 'clear his name.'
![Giovanni Pernice could face more mounting trouble as 'at least one or two more celebrities are considering legal action' against him](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/19/23/85076831-13436397-image-a-159_1716159075896.jpg)
Giovanni Pernice could face more mounting trouble as 'at least one or two more celebrities are considering legal action' against him
![Amanda Abbington (pictured) is one of the women named in the suit, while the likes of Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh have also been critical in their review of him](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/19/23/85076827-13436397-image-a-160_1716159080909.jpg)
Among the claimants is Amanda Abbington who revealed that Giovanni stepped on her during training, prompting her to leave the show in October
They revealed: 'Numerous celebrities, all former partners of Gio's, have been in contact with one another behind the scenes.
'Three women that we know of have come forward, and taken things a step further with legal action.
'But Carter Ruck, the prestigious firm acting on behalf of these stars, have quietly been speaking to one or two other potential claimants. In other words, more names could come out of the woodwork.'
The fresh claims come after the professional dancer reportedly quit Strictly after the scrutiny became 'too much'.
Off the back of Giovanni's departure, friends close to Amanda have spoken about how she found the pro dancer 'abrasive' and would have to have 'crisis talks' with show bosses every week after being left in floods of tears at his 'tough' training method with claims it left her 'bruised'.
Amanda, who dramatically withdrew from last year's competition and was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after the show, is said to have met with Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh, 46, earlier this year for an 'emotional summit' to 'compare notes' about their time working with him.
Giovanni 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.
![Giovanni has faced a wave of scrutiny ever since Amanda (pictured) dramatically quit last year](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/19/23/84984709-13436397-Giovanni_has_faced_a_wave_of_scrutiny_ever_since_his_dance_partn-a-162_1716159350564.jpg)
Giovanni has faced a wave of scrutiny ever since Amanda (pictured) dramatically quit last year
![The professional dancer shared a post to Instagram detailing that he was 'totally surprised' by the allegations, which he denies](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/19/23/85053297-13436397-Giovanni_shared_a_post_to_Instagram_detailing_that_he_was_totall-a-161_1716159337738.jpg)
The professional dancer shared a post to Instagram detailing that he was 'totally surprised' by the allegations, which he denies
![In 2016, former Love Island host Laura Whitmore said she 'cried every day' and felt 'uncomfortable' while training with him](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/19/23/84984745-13436397-In_2016_former_Love_Island_host_Laura_Whitmore_said_she_cried_ev-a-163_1716159366885.jpg)
In 2016, former Love Island host Laura Whitmore said she 'cried every day' and felt 'uncomfortable' while training with him
![The Good Morning Britain presenter Ranvir Singh also complained about Giovanni to producers back in 2020, during their time on the show](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/19/23/84984741-13436397-The_Good_Morning_Britain_presenter_Ranvir_Singh_also_complained_-a-164_1716159373057.jpg)
The Good Morning Britain presenter Ranvir Singh also complained about Giovanni to producers back in 2020, during their time on the show
![Meanwhile his 2022 partner Richie Anderson has unfollowed him on Instagram](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/19/23/84980197-13436397-Meanwhile_his_2022_partner_Richie_Anderson_has_unfollowed_him_on-a-165_1716159377773.jpg)
Meanwhile his 2022 partner Richie Anderson has unfollowed him on Instagram
![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](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/19/23/83199221-13436397-Former_partners_also_came_out_to_back_him_including_Debbie_McGee-a-166_1716159381455.jpg)
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
![According to an insider, Giovanni feels like he has achieved everything he can on the show, having lifted the glitterball with Rose Ayling-Ellis in 2021 and got to the final several times](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/20/00/84979727-13436397-According_to_an_insider_Giovanni_feels_like_he_has_achieved_ever-a-173_1716159682358.jpg)
According to an insider, Giovanni feels like he has achieved everything he can on the show, having lifted the glitterball with Rose Ayling-Ellis in 2021 and got to the final several times
'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!'
Good Morning Britain host Ranvir, who reportedly made a complaint against Giovanni to the BBC in 2020, admitted to feeling 'scared' of the Italian.
Meanwhile his 2022 partner Richie Anderson unfollowed him on Instagram.
Other 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.
Giovanni also had a positive relationship with deaf contestant Rose Ayling-Ellis, 29, whom he led to a triumphant victory in 2021, with the pair going on to win a TV BAFTA for their silent dance routine.
MailOnline has contacted Giovanni's representatives for comment.