Strictly’s Giovanni Pernice SPLITS with girlfriend after ‘series of rows’ amid show abuse scandal
GIOVANNI Pernice has split with girlfriend Molly Brown after a “series of rows” following his departure from Strictly Come Dancing.
The ex-Strictly pro, 33, and the model, 24, went public with their romance in February after The Sun revealed they were dating.
He later quit the BBC series after three celebrity partners made complaints about him.
And sources have claimed things turned sour amid the drama surrounding the show.
The couple fled the UK as the news broke about his exit and appeared to be going strong, sharing loved-up posts on social media.
She was also seen supporting him on his tour and workshops with Strictly judge Anton Du Beke.
A source told The Mirror: “Giovanni and Molly grew very close, very quickly, after they split up the first time and got back together. Their relationship has been pretty full on.
“But they have rowed again recently and it all came to a head earlier this week, when they called it quits.
“Molly has been very supportive of Giovanni, but he has been under a lot of stress lately and that has taken its toll.
“It is not impossible they will try to give things another go once the dust has settled a little, after all, they have done that before.
“But at the moment things are quite heated and it looks very unlikely.”
Molly is signed to Scout Model Management and she has worked for fashion campaigns like What’s Mine Is Yours and also fake tan brand Forever Sundays.
Sicily-born Giovanni has previously dated stars including Pussycat Dolls singer Ashley Roberts, 42, and Love Island’s Maura Higgins, 33.
Before Molly, Gio was most recently linked to his fellow Strictly pro, Jowita Pryzstal.
The Sun told how Giovanni quit Stricty earlier this year when his celeb partner Amanda Abbington claimed her time with him left her with post-traumatic stress disorder.
He is now being investigated in a bullying probe.
Ex-Love Island host Laura Whitmore, 39, is contributing to the investigation and two ex-Met cops are helping the BBC.
Gio vehemently denies the bullying allegations against him and has vowed to clear his name.
He has been backed by the show’s head judge Shirley Ballas, 63.
She said: “I have known Giovanni for ten years.
Giovanni Pernice Strictly scandal timeline
October 2023: Amanda abruptly withdraws from Strictly having already missed one live show. Her departure is announced in a vague BBC statement that ‘wishes her the best’.
Giovanni posts a short message on social media addressing the exit, which read: “Amanda… I am so sad we can’t continue but I am proud of what we achieved and I am sending you so much love.”
Amanda then shares her own farewell statement on Instagram thanking co-stars but failing to mention Gio.
Giovanni’s dad Piero insists there were no signs of a fall out and the pairing could have gone all the way. He praised his son as kind and polite.
November 2023: Giovanni is reportedly gutted by the situation and is considering his Strictly future as questions are raised about his conduct.
January 2024: Amanda’s PTSD diagnosis comes to light and she demands CCTV from rehearsals to prove that Giovanni’s training methods weren’t acceptable.
The BBC issues a statement defending its duty of care to contestants, insisting it takes any claims of wrongdoing very seriously.
The Corporation stands by its man after emergency meeting
March 2024: Giovanni publicly states he has no intention of leaving Strictly in a TV interview with close pal Anton du Beke.
Ranvir Singh and Laura Whitmore enter the picture. Allegedly the two celebs, who were both previously partnered with Giovanni on Strictly, didn’t feel the BBC took their issues with his methods seriously enough.
The pair have a closed meeting with Amanda where tears are said to be shed.
May 2024: We reveal Giovanni is leaving the programme after having talks with show bosses
He leaves the country with girlfriend Molly Brown on holiday
The BBC launches an internal investigation after three complainants instruct lawyers. A source describes it as a “nightmare situation”.
“He has always been, to me — and I will make that clear — a perfect gentleman.”
STRICTLY IN CRISIS
Gio said in a social media post on June 16 that he has “always rejected any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour”.
There have also been allegations Strictly Come Dancing professional Graziano Di Prima kicked and spat at his dance partner Zara McDermott.
He has been left “in a very vulnerable state”, his spokesman said, after footage came to light and he was axed from the show last week,
The BBC announced on July 16 that they would introduce new welfare measures, including a chaperone who will be present “at all times” during rehearsals.