Watch: Giovanni Pernice thanks Strictly fans for support as he wins Italian

Credit: Instagram/giovannipernice

Giovanni Pernice has thanked Strictly fans for supporting him on an Italian dance show in the wake of a BBC probe into allegations of abuse.

Pernice, 34, and his partner Bianca Guaccero, 43, were crowned the victors of the 19th season of hit reality programme Ballando con le Stelle, which has been compared to the American series Dancing With The Stars, on Saturday.

The duo, who recently confirmed they were a romantic couple, took to social media to express their gratitude in the hours before their final performances.

In the video posted to Instagram, Pernice said: “To all my dear friends in the UK that are supporting us all the way.

“We just want to say a massive thank you, because realistically, we couldn’t do anything without you.

“And I tell you why, because, the way that the vote [works], it’s all about likes on social media.

“We can totally see which part of the votes are coming from the UK and you are being unbelievably amazing.”

Giovanni Pernice, 34, and Bianca Guaccero, 43, went on to win the 19th season of the hit reality television series – Maurizio D’Avanzo/MDPhoto/ipa-agency.net/Shutterstock

Pernice also shared a clip of himself and Guaccero shortly after they were crowned the winners with a caption that read “la coppia vince”, which translates to “the couple wins”.

Guaccero, an Italian actress and singer who fell for the former Strictly dancer on the set of the competition, shared her joy with fans and followers by posting several pictures and videos to Instagram.

She captioned one photograph: “Grazie a voi, non ci posso credere,” which roughly translates to: “Thank you all so much, I cannot believe it.”

The duo, who recently confirmed they were a romantic couple, took to social media to express their gratitude in the hours before their final performances – Mondadori Portfolio

Pernice’s victory on the Italian dance programme comes shortly after he abandoned the UK in the wake of a BBC probe into abuse allegations levied against him by his former dance partner Amanda Abbington.

Abbington, the actress known for her role in Sherlock, was the first of a number of people to allege “inappropriate” behaviour on the show and claimed she was subject to a “toxic environment” while dancing alongside Pernice, who rejected the allegations.

The BBC investigation into Pernice’s behaviour upheld “some, but not all” of the complaints made against the professional dancer.

There were no findings relating to physical aggression, but complaints of verbal bullying and harassment were upheld, it is understood.

Pernice abandoned the UK in the wake of a BBC probe into abuse allegations levied against him by his former dance partner Amanda Abbington – Ray Burniston/BBC

Abbington said she felt “vindication” and had “no regrets” about lodging the complaints after some were upheld by the BBC, despite receiving “hundreds” of death and rape threats.

In October, Pernice addressed whether he would return to Strictly after his absence this year, telling ITV show Lorraine: “Who knows, never say never.”

Earlier in the month, comedian Chris McCausland became the first blind contestant to win Strictly, lifting the glitterball trophy alongside dance partner Dianne Buswell.

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