UNDER-fire Giovanni Pernice bizarrely compared himself to Baby Reindeer stalker Martha as he returned to the stage.
The ex-Strictly dancer, 33, reunited with show judge Anton Du Beke for their Together tour and he thanked his former colleague for support amid bullying claims.
Speaking at The Hexagon theatre in Reading on Saturday night, Giovanni told his co-star: “I have basically become a bit obsessed with you. I like everything you do.
“I want to be as great as you are. It is a bit like Baby Reindeer. When I met you life changed.”
Baby Reindeer is Netflix’s hit series based on comedian Richard Gadd’s real life experience with stalker Fiona Harvey.
Gadd plays struggling comic Donny, whilst Jessica Gunning plays a version of Fiona called Martha.
Giovanni’s peculiar declaration comes at a particularly bad time.
Yesterday The Sun reported that BBC investigators have been told he grabbed his crotch in front of dance partners during rehearsals.
A source explained: “It’s alleged he would grab his crotch in front of them if they did something good in rehearsals.”
The allegation makes for a worrying comparison to Baby Reindeer, which includes a scene where stalker Martha grabs comic Donny by the crotch when she hunts him down late at night.
The new claims come after we revealed the BBC was looking into complaints of bullying against Giovanni from three former celebrity partners, including Sherlock actress Amanda and TV presenter Laura Whitmore.
Since then, Giovanni has quit the BBC dance show but yesterday issued his own statement saying he “rejected any suggestions of abusive or threatening behaviour.”
He added: “As requested, I have stayed silent, but I am looking forward to the conclusion of the investigation.
“I am so happy to be back on tour and I look forward to clearing my name.”
Elsewhere in the performance, Anton, 57, suggested that the BBC were sticking by Giovanni behind the scenes.
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”.
Speaking of their joint travelogue, he added: “We did Sicily the first year and then Spain for the second series this year. So hopefully we are going to do something in the future.
“I have no idea of where we are going to go – we did think about the Home Counties like south Oxfordshire.”
