Ex-Strictly pro Giovanni Pernice looks downcast as he steps out in London after being suspended from the BBC show over misconduct claims
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Ex-Strictly professional Giovanni Pernice looked downbeat while out and about in London on Wednesday.
The dancer, 33, was suspended form the show last month while a BBC probe is conducted over claims of off-camera misconduct made by Amanda Abbington, 50, and two other former celeb partners. He denies all the claims against him.
It came just before another dancer on the show Graziano Di Prima, 30, was axed from the series last week over reports he verbally and physically abused his celebrity partner Zara McDermott, 27, during last year's series.
Onlookers said Giovanni appeared to be going on a trip when he was spotted outside Covent Garden tube station on Wednesday.
The dancer was pulling a monogrammed 'lovely jubbly' HB London suitcase, topped with a Louis Vuitton backpack.
Ex-Strictly professional Giovanni Pernice looked downbeat while out and about in London on Wednesday
The dancer, 33, was suspended form the show last month while a BBC probe is conducted over claims of off-camera misconduct made by Amanda Abbington, 50
One onlooker, 40, from London, said: 'It looked like he was going away somewhere. He was texting on his phone. He just looked like he was travelling somewhere.
'He looked quite pensive. He looked to be dealing with something before he was going somewhere.'
Giovanni denies the claims and left the dancing show last month.
It comes after Strictly bosses have announced plans to introduce chaperones during training, and the appointment of two new welfare producers following the recent show scandals.
On Tuesday, they explained that they would be introducing 'additional steps to strengthen welfare and support on Strictly Come Dancing.'
A statement from the BBC said: 'Concerns that have arisen in recent months have been fundamentally about training and rehearsals. The actions we announce today are designed to address that.'
The new measures include a member of the production team being present during training room rehearsals at all times, and increased support for both celebrity contestants and the professional dancers.
Giovanni denies the claims and left the dancing show last month (seen dancing with Amanda on the show)
Amanda, left the competition mid-way through the series, citing personal reasons after weeks of rumours about a feud with Giovanni (pictured during rehearsals)
It came just before another dancer on the show Graziano Di Prima, 30, was axed from the series last week over reports he verbally and physically abused his celebrity partner Zara McDermott, 27, during last year's series
A celebrity welfare producer and a professional dancer welfare producer will both be appointed to fulfil these added duties, and further training will also be delivered for the production team and crew.
Kate Phillips, BBC's director of unscripted, said: 'Whilst we know our shows have been positive experiences for the vast majority of those who have taken part, if issues are raised with us, or we're made aware of inappropriate behaviour, we will always take that seriously and act.
'Concerns that have arisen have been fundamentally related to training and rehearsals. The decisive steps we have taken and are announced today act to further strengthen the welfare and support in place for everyone involved with this production.'
The announcement came just hours after former Love Island star Zara broke her silence on the scandal.
She wrote on Instagram on Tuesday morning that while much of her time on Strictly 'was everything I could have dreamt of' inside the training room with Graziano there were 'particular incidents which are incredibly distressing'.
Sources have told the Mail that the accusations have prompted bosses to extend the inquiry to look at other matters, and individuals, involved with the dance series as they prepare for its 20th anniversary.
It means that Giovanni, who has already let his frustrations at the investigation be known, faces an even longer wait for an outcome after three former dance partners, including Amanda, instructed lawyers to make 'serious complaints' about his conduct.
A television source told the Mail: 'This investigation is no longer just solely about Giovanni but other, more wider issues. The show has been going for 20 years and the whole veneer of Strictly is so sparkly and lovely, of course there will always be people who feel hard done by.
It comes after Strictly bosses have announced plans to introduce chaperones during training, and the appointment of two new welfare producers following the recent show scandals
'Amanda's complaints have started something massive, it has opened the door for others to come forward about things they haven't been happy with.
'It is all a big headache for the BBC, it is about to celebrate a massive milestone with its 20th anniversary.
'Having the Giovanni complaint has been a big enough issue, but now it looks like there is more to be scrutinised and looked into.'
Sources close to Giovanni say that he fully expects to be exonerated.
