Stacey Dooley was all about keeping quiet on the drama surrounding Strictly Come Dancing's Giovanni Pernice during her chat on BBC Breakfast. Despite host Jon Kay nudging for some insider info, Stacey shut it down with: "I don't have a friendship with Giovanni. I didn't even have a working relationship with Giovanni."
The dance floor's Italian stallion, 34, has been grabbing headlines left and right with buzz that he's left the show following claims from his former celebrity partner Amanda Abbington that she developed PTSD after her time on Strictly. The BBC is yet to confirm Giovanni's future on the show, meanwhile Giovanni has hit back at "allegations" about his "dance teaching methods", adding that he "rejects any suggestion of abusive of threatening behaviour".
Speaking to former Strictly winner Stacey Dooley on BBC Breakfast, Jon couldn't resist digging a bit deeper with Stacey, throwing out: "While you're here, before we get to the news, I have to talk to you about Strictly. Giovanni made a statement over the weekend saying he rejects any suggestion of any threatening or abusive behaviour, and you don't want to talk about that case and those allegations. But I guess it shines a spotlight on the intensity of that Strictly world."
Stacey clapped back with: "Yeah, what I would say is I don't have a friendship with Giovanni. I didn't even have a working relationship with Giovanni. And I haven't been involved with that show for years. So it would be probably irresponsible for me to comment on that."
Stacey Dooley shared her thoughts, saying: "What I would say, more broadly, is I hope all of the women involved are ok. And I think, actually, it's separate from this but in my personal experience, I think it's a slippery slope not to believe women when they come forward and say certain things. But I just hope they're ok," reports the Mirror.
Sally Nugent weighed in on the situation, noting: "It's a difficult time for the programme." Stacey responded with a light-hearted comment: "Yeah, me and Kev [Clifton] are so boring. He's pals with a lot of the professionals but I don't know enough about that incident to comment."
The BBC has reportedly launched an internal investigations into Giovanni's conduct after three former contestants instructed lawyers. Speaking out on Instagram about rumours, Giovanni wrote: "You will be as surprised as I am that allegations have been made about my dance teaching methods in the media this week.
"Of course, I reject any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour, and I look forward to clearing my name."
He also spoke about his time on Strictly Come Dancing : "Those who have followed my journey on Strictly Come Dancing over the last decade will know that I am passionate and competitive. No-one is more ambitious for my dance partners than me."
To wrap up his statement, Giovanni expressed his commitment, saying: "I have always strived 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. Thank you all once again for your continued love and support."
