Giovanni Pernice packed on the PDA with his swimsuit-clad girlfriend Bianca Guaccero in Portofino on Monday, days after revealing that his axing from Strictly Come Dancing left him feeling suicidal.
The professional dancer, 35, and Bianca, 45, are enjoying a trip to Italy together ahead of the release of Giovanni's memoir, Gio: Taking the Lead, which details his feelings around his exit from the BBC show.
Giovanni was axed from Strictly after actress Amanda Abbington accused him of subjecting her to "vile abuse" during rehearsals, prompting an inquiry from the broadcaster.
Following the BBC investigation, Giovanni was cleared of the most serious accusations made against him, and the broadcaster issued a formal apology to Abbington. His new memoir now reveals his side of the story, including how he felt suicidal in the aftermath.
By the pool, Giovanni showed off his physique in a pair of Gucci swimming shorts, while Bianca, an Italian actress, singer and television presenter, wore an orange swimsuit.
How Giovanni and Bianca met
The pair met in late 2024 when they were paired as dance partners on Ballando con le Stelle, the Italian version of Strictly Come Dancing. Their professional partnership turned into a romance, and they went on to win the competition together.
Giovanni is now preparing for his 2027 UK tour, titled Unstoppable. The couple were spotted in Portofino ahead of the Italian version of Dancing With The Stars, which returns in October.
Amanda Abbington's BBC payout
Earlier this month it was revealed that Abbington, 52, had received a "substantial" payout from the BBC after making a legal complaint about her stint on Strictly. She made a shock exit from the show just weeks into the 2023 series, and later accused Giovanni of subjecting her to "vile abuse".
Abbington has reportedly been given a five-figure out-of-court settlement, along with a contribution to her legal fees, from BBC Studios. The settlement is said to have been made to avoid a lengthy court battle and to allow Abbington, who was subsequently diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, to move on.
A source told The Sun on Sunday: "Amanda's friends and family are all relieved for her that this ordeal is finally over. It's been a long, hard journey, but now she can close this chapter and move on with her life."
"The fact the BBC have compensated Amanda as well as previously publicly apologising really proves that they are taking responsibility for the bullying she suffered on set. She hopes that this case will give others strength and encourage people to speak up."
The Daily Mail contacted representatives for Abbington for comment. BBC representatives declined to comment when approached.
What the BBC investigation found
The BBC's report found that some of the language Giovanni used towards Abbington could be "belittling", and agreed with the actress that his feedback was, at times, "overly negative" and that he had used profanity during rehearsals.
After reviewing several hours of rehearsal footage, investigators identified two moments of "inappropriate behaviour of sexual banter in the workplace", which were found to have been "made and received as jokes" between the pair.
Amanda Abbington's cancer scare
Abbington, known for her roles in Sherlock and Mr Selfridge, has previously said she was "relieved" when a cancer scare led to her quitting the competition.
She told The Sun on Sunday: "By my final week, on the Thursday morning, I was in the shower and I found two lumps. I'd got the all-clear after a mammogram a couple of months before."
"I went in for rehearsals to do the cha-cha-cha and just couldn't concentrate. Giovanni said, 'There's no point teaching you this because it's not going in. You can't get it. We'll be lucky if we get through because you're useless'."
"He refused to even look at me so I went to the toilet, came back and said, 'I'm going to go to the hospital now because I found two lumps in my breast this morning'."
She said Giovanni's tone then changed: "He was great. He said, 'Well, let me know how it goes'. It was the catalyst I'd been sort of waiting for, which is terrible. But that's what I was thinking, that it was a healthier option than being in that room."
Abbington added: "I've championed breast cancer charities but there was a part of me that was like, 'OK, I have to deal with this now instead. Phew'."
