Giovanni Pernice Reveals BBC 'Ignored' Email About His Depression as Strictly Star Says He Was 'Spiralling'

Giovanni Pernice has accused the BBC of failing to respond after he told the broadcaster he was suffering from depression and myocarditis, revealing that he was 'spiralling mentally' as his Strictly Come Dancing career unravelled following Amanda Abbington's complaint.

The Italian professional dancer, who spent nine years on the BBC's flagship dance show, said the fallout left him questioning whether he had a future in the entertainment industry. Pernice claimed the broadcaster failed to support him once his contract had ended, despite his efforts to alert it to his deteriorating health.

His account appears in his memoir, Gio: Taking the Lead, excerpts of which were published by The Telegraph alongside an interview with the dancer.

Giovanni Pernice Says He Was 'Spiralling Mentally'

Pernice described the period following the Strictly Come Dancing controversy as one of the darkest of his life, saying the damage to his career had a profound effect on his mental health.

'I'm a very work-oriented person,' he told The Telegraph. 'I really dedicate my life to work.'

Pernice said his concerns went beyond losing income, explaining that his career had been central to his sense of purpose. As the controversy intensified, he said he began to believe there was 'no place' for him in the industry.

He also disclosed that his thoughts became suicidal as he feared he would never rebuild what he had lost.

Pernice has not appeared on Strictly since 2023, when he was partnered with Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington.

BBC 'Ignored' Email About Depression, Pernice Claims

Pernice said he contacted the BBC while dealing with depression and myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle, but claimed he received no response.

'They didn't look after me,' he said, suggesting the broadcaster's position was that his contract had already expired.

Pernice argued that his nine years working on Strictly Come Dancing should have prompted greater concern for his welfare even if he was no longer contracted to the programme.

'If I'm sending an email saying that I've got myocarditis and depression, you can't even reply to me and say, "Oh, sorry if you feel a bit down"?' he said.

The claim that the email went unanswered comes from Pernice's account. The material provided does not include a BBC response specifically addressing his allegation about the email.

Giovanni Pernice Says BBC 'Hung Me Out to Dry'

Pernice also criticised the BBC's handling of the investigation sparked by Abbington's complaint, saying he felt the corporation had 'hung me out to dry to cover their backs'.

Abbington, who left Strictly during the 2023 series, later accused Pernice of inappropriate and bullying behaviour during their rehearsals.

Pernice said the BBC's subsequent apology to Abbington made him feel as though allegations reported more widely about him had been validated.

'Her claims had ruined my life and my career. Where was my apology?' he said.

He maintained that he had made 'concerted efforts to be positive and supportive' towards Abbington during training and in their text conversations.

What Did the BBC Investigation Find?

The BBC investigation partially upheld some of Abbington's complaints but did not uphold others. The corporation subsequently apologised to the actress for her experience on Strictly Come Dancing.

Pernice claimed that most of the complaints upheld against him concerned swearing, citing one finding in which he said he threw his arms up and used an expletive.

The outcome therefore did not amount to a complete dismissal of Abbington's complaints, nor did it substantiate all of the allegations made against Pernice.

Pernice Regrets Abbington Pairing

Looking back at their turbulent partnership, Pernice said he believes he and Abbington should never have been paired together.

'I'm a taskmaster,' he said, explaining that his approach involves pushing celebrity partners who want to reach the final or win the competition.

Pernice joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2015 and remained one of its professional dancers until his departure following the 2023 series and the subsequent controversy surrounding his partnership with Abbington.