Giovanni Pernice has expressed his desire to return to *Strictly Come Dancing* after being suspended amid a BBC investigation into his conduct. 

The 34-year-old professional dancer’s hopes come after a challenging period following a complaint made by his 2023 dance partner, actress Amanda Abbington.

This complaint led to an investigation, which resulted in Giovanni’s departure from the show,

a decision that was influenced by the allegations against him, which were partially upheld.

Giovanni later went on to join the Italian version of the show, *Ballando con le Stelle*, where he found success both on and off the dancefloor.

In a recent interview with the *Mail on Sunday*, Giovanni reflected on his time away from *Strictly* and shared his hopes of making a comeback to the BBC series.
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He mentioned that while his experience in Italy has been rewarding—culminating in a victory on the Italian version of the dance competition—he remains eager to return to the UK and continue his career on *Strictly*.

However, Giovanni acknowledged that the decision is ultimately not in his hands, admitting that he believes the BBC may have “closed the book” on his involvement with the show.

Despite the difficulties surrounding his departure, Giovanni remains fond of his time on *Strictly*, crediting the show with changing his life and launching his career to new heights.

He pointed to the return of his former co-star, Aljaž Škorjanec, as a possible example of his own future. Aljaž, who left *Strictly* in 2022 to focus on his family life, made a comeback in 2024. Giovanni is hopeful that, like Aljaž, he may one day be welcomed back into the *Strictly* fold.

Reflecting on his challenging year, Giovanni shared that winning *Ballando con le Stelle* with his professional partner Bianca Guaccero—who is now his girlfriend—was a transformative moment for him.

He described it as a powerful reminder that he had “got through it,” referring to the difficulties he faced during the BBC investigation.

The dancer admitted that the entire experience felt like a “bad dream,” and revealed that his parents were deeply concerned for him as he navigated the emotional toll of the inquiry.

Despite the pain of the ordeal, Giovanni stressed that he holds no anger toward the BBC or its bosses. He recalled an emotional meeting where he had the opportunity to discuss the findings of the investigation, and admitted that it was “nice” to speak with his colleagues again.

According to the BBC’s statement following the internal investigation, there was “no aggression and nothing criminal” found in Giovanni’s behavior, though he did admit to raising his voice and repeating certain words during his interactions with Abbington.

The investigation, which took a considerable amount of time due to its complex nature, ultimately resulted in the BBC upholding some of Abbington’s complaints, including issues of verbal bullying and harassment.

The BBC released a statement acknowledging the situation, offering an apology to Amanda Abbington and expressing gratitude for her willingness to come forward and participate in the review.

Abbington had initially raised concerns with *Strictly* producers early on in her training, and her complaints were the subject of several discussions with show bosses. The investigation upheld some of her complaints, leading to an apology from the BBC.

Giovanni’s remarks about 2024 reflect his frustration with the events that unfolded. In a candid interview with *The Sunday Mirror*, he bluntly stated, “Sorry for my language but 2024 can f**k off,” emphasizing how deeply challenging the year had been for him.

He admitted there were moments when he felt as though his career was over, describing those dark times as some of his lowest points. Nonetheless, Giovanni has shown resilience, using his success on *Ballando con le Stelle* as a means of moving forward.

As Giovanni reflects on the events of the past year and looks to the future, it remains unclear whether he will be given a second chance on *Strictly Come Dancing*.

However, his desire to return to the show, coupled with the success he’s found in Italy, highlights his commitment to his craft and his passion for dancing.

Whether or not Giovanni will make a comeback remains to be seen, but it’s clear that his journey is far from over, and his fans are eager to see what’s next for the talented dancer.