OPINION: I don’t think the timing is any coincidence.
Former Strictly Come Dancing star Giovanni Pernice is dropping his tell-all memoir, named Gio: My Story, right before the new series of the BBC programme drops. The book, which is set to be released on August 27, is expected to cover the Sicilian professional dancer’s life from his childhood to his eventual departure from Strictly.
The 35-year-old has stated that the memoir is the chance to tell his story following the relentless scrutiny he faced amid his exit from the dancing competition in 2024. Fans will recall that Giovanni was a professional dancer on the show for nine years, winning in 2021 with his celebrity partner, actress Rose Ayling-Ellis, who made history as the first deaf contestant on Strictly.
However, Giovanni’s departure was a result of a high-profile controversy involving his 2023 celebrity partner, Amanda Abbington, and other former partners.
Giovanni left Strictly in 2024 (Image: Getty)
The BBC officially confirmed that Giovanni wouldn’t be returning the following year after an internal investigation into “serious complaints” about his training methods was launched.
During the nine-month probe, Giovanni strenuously denied any wrongdoing, stating that he was simply a “perfectionist”. While the BBC upheld Amanda’s complaints regarding verbal bullying and harassment, the investigation rejected the most serious allegations of physical aggression or sexualised behaviour.
Both parties felt as though it was a win, but Giovanni moved away from the show to join the cast of the Italian version, Ballando con le Stelle.
Strictly returns to BBC One in the autumn, so it cannot be down to chance that Giovanni is dropping his bombshell book right before it’s set to premiere with two new hosts who have replaced Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
Since Giovanni’s exit, the show has remained embroiled in controversy, with many arguing it is on its last legs after many years on air.
Just this month, the show confirmed a massive “clear-out” of its veteran stars to distance itself from the drama in a Strictly blood-bath which has left me concerned.
While it’s not known exactly what Giovanni will share in his book, he may make some explosive claims which could implode the show. I for one will be reading it and disecting everything within the pages.
Will Strictly survive after the book is published? We will have to wait and see…
