Anton Du Beke has received praise for how he deftly handled a difficult question about Giovanni Pernice during his recent appearance on Good Morning Britain. 

The veteran Strictly Come Dancing judge and professional dancer appeared on the ITV show alongside TV presenter Sarah Stirk 

to promote their new podcast, Putt and Strut, focused on golf. 

However, the interview took an unexpected turn when host Richard Madeley brought up Pernice’s controversial departure from the BBC dance competition.

Madeley, 68, started by asking Anton, 58, about reports suggesting he would welcome Giovanni back onto the Strictly show despite the dancer 

being at the center of a bullying controversy. This question put Anton in the hot seat, given that Giovanni’s time on Strictly was marred by serious allegations. 

While the BBC cleared him of the most severe claims, it did uphold six complaints related to bullying.

Anton, known for his cheerful demeanor, initially responded with a smile, but his expression quickly changed as the subject shifted to Giovanni’s situation. Madeley, not backing down, reminded Anton of the complaints that had been upheld, which involved allegations of verbal bullying and inappropriate behavior. The presenter then asked why Anton would be willing to bring Giovanni back despite the seriousness of the issue, prompting him to “stick his head above the parapet.”

In a poised and measured response, Anton initially joked about the proper way to hold a golf club before addressing the more sensitive matter. He said, “That’s a very good question, I’d prefer to talk about the golf,” skillfully avoiding direct confrontation with the allegations. Anton then expressed his delight at Giovanni’s success in Italy, where he competed on Dancing with the Stars and won the competition with his partner, Bianca Guaccero. He also mentioned that he would be touring with Giovanni in the summer and was looking forward to performing alongside him once again.

“I was delighted for Giovanni this autumn because he went over to Italy and did the Strictly Come Dancing in Italy and won with the lovely Bianca,” Anton explained. “He was delighted to win that and we’re going off on tour in the summer, so I’ll be seeing him in the summer when we go back out on the road.” Anton also added that he loved performing with Giovanni and emphasized the close friendship they shared, saying, “I’ve known him for a long time, and we’ve got a wonderful company as well. So all in all, that’s a great show.”

Following the interview, many viewers took to social media to commend Anton for how he handled the tricky situation. On X (formerly Twitter), fans praised the dancer for staying composed and sidestepping the awkward question with grace. One user, Stephanie, wrote, “Well done Anton! Nicely dealt with RM wanting to create a difficult conversation that didn’t need to be addressed.” Another commenter, Craig, added, “No need to put Anton on the spot like that,” while Lakky agreed, stating, “Nicely swerved the question about Gio and Strictly, Anton…”

The controversy surrounding Giovanni Pernice began in 2023 when he was partnered with actress Amanda Abbington for the BBC show. After their split, Amanda made public accusations about Giovanni’s behavior, claiming he was “mean, nasty” and displayed “bullying” tendencies in the training room. These accusations led to an internal investigation by the BBC. Ultimately, while Giovanni was cleared of the most severe allegations, such as abuse and threats, the BBC upheld complaints about verbal bullying and inappropriate conduct.

Giovanni later addressed the situation on Lorraine, expressing his relief that the more serious claims against him had been dismissed. He said, “I’m glad that the 11 allegations have been thrown out. At the beginning, there were very serious allegations, for instance, threatening her or abusing her, and all of this has been taken out.”

Despite the investigation and the public fallout, Anton’s support for Giovanni, particularly his willingness to work with him again, remains unwavering. The two have a long-standing friendship, having spent years together as part of the Strictly family, and Anton’s comments highlight his belief in the power of second chances and reconciliation.

While many are still divided over Giovanni’s actions, Anton’s respectful handling of the situation and focus on their positive relationship both professionally and personally have been widely praised. Fans can look forward to seeing the pair back together on tour later this year, continuing to entertain and inspire audiences with their performances.

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