Giovanni Pernice told Craig Doyle that he was “not here to justify” himself when the This Morning host pressed him about complaints upheld after his partnership with Amanda Abbington on Strictly Come Dancing.
Pernice appeared on the ITV program to promote his memoir, Gio: Taking the Lead, but much of the live interview concerned the BBC investigation into his conduct during rehearsals with Abbington. Six allegations were upheld, including findings involving verbal bullying and harassment, while there was no finding of physical aggression.
Doyle asked whether Pernice could now recognize anything he had done wrong or would handle differently. Pernice focused on one upheld complaint involving language he described as commonly used, arguing that the tone of conversations in the rehearsal room had been established by both partners.
Christine Lampard later read a response from Abbington’s representatives accusing Pernice of trying to “reframe” the investigation and disputing his characterization of the upheld findings.
Doyle Asked Pernice Whether He Would Do Anything Differently
Pernice said he could not repeat the specific word he was discussing on morning television but maintained that it was a term people commonly use.
“Again, it is the tone set in the room,” he said during the full This Morning interview. “If you use that tone to me, I use the same tone to you.”
Doyle acknowledged that many of Abbington’s allegations had not been upheld, then returned to those that were. He asked Pernice whether he could now see what he had done wrong and whether reflection had changed his approach.
“But other than that, I’m not here to justify myself,” Pernice replied. “My life has moved on. I’m happy now.” He pointed to his success on the Italian version of Strictly, which he won with Bianca Guaccero in 2024, and described the victory as one of his “small revenges.”
Lampard Read Amanda Abbington’s Response on Air
Lampard told Pernice that This Morning had contacted Abbington for a response before reading a statement from her representatives.
The statement accused Pernice of trying to “reframe the BBC Investigation and the findings that it made against him.” It also called any suggestion that he had not been able to give his side of the story “ludicrous” and disputed the idea that the upheld findings related only to swear words.
Abbington’s representatives also pointed to the BBC’s apology and the compensation she received following the investigation.
Pernice said he had no negative feelings toward Abbington and believed both had moved forward. Asked whether he now approached teaching differently, he replied, “If you want to succeed, there’s only one way to succeed. Commitment, resilience, get the trophy, go home.”
Abbington received a reported five figure settlement from BBC Studios in August. The Guardian reported that the payment followed the BBC’s earlier apology after its review upheld some of her complaints.
Pernice Said the Memoir Covers His Life, Not Only the Investigation
Doyle also questioned how Pernice could say he wanted to move forward while discussing the dispute in his memoir.
“It’s hard to move on when you put something like that in the book,” Doyle told him.
Pernice replied that the investigation was one part of his life rather than the subject of the book. He said he had waited for the BBC process to conclude before publishing his account instead of giving repeated interviews while the investigation remained active.
The memoir also addresses the effect that period had on his mental health. Pernice has said he considered suicide while the investigation was underway and felt abandoned by people he had previously been close to at Strictly.
Doyle acknowledged Pernice’s difficult experience while adding that Abbington had also gone through a difficult period. When he asked Pernice to reflect specifically on the complaints that were upheld, Pernice said the two sides viewed events differently.
Some Viewers Called the Interview an ‘Interrogation’
The Express collected comments from viewers who objected to the questioning, with some describing the interview as an “interrogation” and accusing Doyle and Lampard of being too harsh.
Other coverage of the interview focused on Doyle’s repeated attempts to bring the discussion back to the complaints that had actually been upheld rather than allowing Pernice to discuss only the allegations that were rejected.
The BBC apologized to Abbington after its 2024 review and said some of her complaints had been upheld. The broadcaster subsequently strengthened welfare measures on Strictly Come Dancing, including chaperones during rehearsal room training and dedicated welfare support roles.