Giovanni Pernice axed from Strictly 2024 as BBC show confirms new line-up
Strictly Come Dancing's professional dancers have been confirmed for the upcoming series as the BBC favourite celebrates its 20th anniversary.
The line-up for Strictly Come Dancing 2024 has been confirmed in the first series in eight years not to feature Giovanni Pernice. The BBC One show will return this autumn with Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman at the helm.
The judging panel remains the same with Shirley Ballas as head judge alongside Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel-Horwood and Anton Du Beke.
The dancers who will return include Amy Dowden, who had missed competing on Strictly last year after she was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer, and 2023 winner Vito Coppola.
In a statement released on Monday, the BBC confirmed the 2024 professional dancers are Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Graziano Di Prima, Amy Dowden, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas and Vito Coppola.
The line-up confirms the exit of Giovanni after he was at the centre of complaints from a number of his former celebrity partners.
He previously rejected allegations of "abusive or threatening behaviour" and said he looks "forward to clearing my name".
In a statement released in May, Giovanni wrote that "you will be as surprised as I am that allegations have been made about my dance teaching methods in the media this week" and the public has seen him "passionate and competitive" on Strictly.
He added: "No one is more ambitious for my dance partners than me. I have always striven to help them be the very best dancers they can be.
"This has always come from a place of love and wanting to win - for me and my dance partners."
Carter-Ruck, a legal firm acting on behalf of the complainants, said the BBC is "evidence gathering", but the broadcaster has not confirmed any probe has begun.
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The law firm said: "There have been numerous serious complaints made to the BBC who are now in the process of evidence gathering. As it is still an ongoing matter no further comment can be made at this stage."
The Italian professional dancer, 33, had been on the dancing show since 2015 when he reached the final with Coronation Street star Georgia May Foote. In 2021, Giovanni lifted the Glitterball Trophy alongside EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis.
Giovanni was last paired with Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington, who withdrew from the competition in 2023 citing "personal reasons".
