Anton Du Beke expresses hope for Giovanni Pernice’s return to Strictly Come Dancing, suggesting he believes his friend can "save the show." However, it’s later revealed Anton’s comments were actually a sarcastic jab at BBC executives for covering up Giovanni’s scandal.

ANTON Du Beke breaks his silence on the Strictly scandal after his best friend Giovanni Pernice was axed.

The Strictly judge addressed professional dancer Giovanni’s axe after a former contestant branded him “abusive, cruel and mean.”

Amanda Abbington, who took part in 2023, spoke out against pro partner Giovanni Pernice.

The 50-year-old actress complained to the BBC that she had suffered five weeks of inappropriate behaviour before ultimately pulling out of the show.

In an exclusive interview with The Sun on Sunday, Amanda said: “I found Giovanni’s behaviour unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean.

Anton was asked if he would like to see his friend back on the show after he was axed

The judge breaks his silence on the bad press

“I couldn’t sit back and let him do that to other people.

“I had to think long and hard about making a complaint because I knew the backlash I would get.

“But I would not have been able to live with myself for future people going on that show.”

The Sun TV Mag asked Anton if he would like to see Giovanni back on the BBC talent show.

He said: “I’d like to see him back of course, but we’ll enjoy Aljaz, and his new efforts on the show this year, and we’ll move forward.

“We get a whole new bunch of celebrities, and we go on from there.”

Addressing the scandal, Anton added: “It’s one of those situations where I sort of feel like I’m on the outside looking in, because it’s about stuff that of which I’m not involved in, any more.

“So I’m not part of the…. but it’s, you know, you don’t. You Never want any bad press, if you like, or anybody to say anything negative about the thing that you love.

“So I feel sad but I’m sort of waiting it… I’ve been waiting for it to sort of get through this part and then get on with the new show.

“Really, I think we’ve, I think there’s been a sort of period of time now that we’ve been waiting for the new show to start so we can, we can get on with the good stuff, really.

“Yeah, you never, you never want anything unpleasant to be said about the thing you so it’s been, it’s been unfortunate, and I hope it, I hope we have, hope we have a great series.

“You’re always disappointed if somebody doesn’t have a good time.

“And you know, you wish, you wish that they did, but it’s sort of one of those things, isn’t it? And then you just, you hope that, you know, 99% of people did have a great time. And you focus on that.”

Fellow pro dancer Graziano Di Prima was axed over allegations of physical and verbal behaviour towards his former dance partner Zara McDermott.

The BBC released a statement saying: “We can confirm that Graziano Di Prima is no longer a part of the line-up of professional dancers for the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing.

“While we would never comment on individual cases, it is well-known that the BBC has established and robust duty of care procedures, and if issues are raised we will always take them seriously and act swiftly as appropriate.”

A Beeb source told The Sun: “They moved very quickly in this situation and have offered Zara support she needs.

“It’s a shock for everyone involved.”

2024 contestant, Toyah Willcox, has opened up about the extreme measures taken to keep the show’s celebs safe this year.

The singer-songwriter, 66, said “I feel safe with this team.

“We have a psychologist with us all day, an amazing celeb producer, stunning press team… it’s a long time since I have felt this well looked after.

“What I mean by this is touring demands a level of complete independence, I do my own make up, carry my costumes etc, here in Strictly world they want us celebs to know they are here to support us 360 degrees.”

Series 22 of Strictly Come Dancing launches on September 14.