The Italian Strictly star reacts as Giovanni’s hand touches her waist, creating a viral moment during their performance to Queen’s The Show Must Go On.
Professional dancer Giovanni Pernice faced an awkward moment on the Italian version of Strictly Come Dancing, Ballando con le Stelle, when his dance partner Francesca Fialdini gently batted his hand away from her waist.
The incident occurred during a performance to Queen’s classic hit, The Show Must Go On, and was captured on video shared across social media earlier this week.
In the clip, Francesca, 46, can be seen discreetly moving Giovanni’s hand from her waist, prompting him to reposition it onto her shoulder. He commented on her injured foot, asking, “Oh, you’re hurting there too?”
The brief exchange highlighted the delicate balance of maintaining professionalism and connection during live performances, especially in high-stakes dance competitions.
This incident drew immediate comparisons to a similar moment on last year’s Strictly Come Dancing in the UK, when Katya Jones, 36, subtly moved co-star Wynne Evans’ hand away from her waist and declined a high-five attempt.
At the time, Katya explained the moment was misinterpreted and insisted it was a lighthearted joke, not a serious incident.
Giovanni Pernice, 31, joined Ballando con le Stelle following his controversial exit from the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. The Italian dancer’s departure from the UK show came in the wake of bullying allegations made by actress Amanda Abbington during the 2023 season.
Amanda, 51, had accused Giovanni of “unnecessary, cruel and mean behaviour” on set. Giovanni immediately denied the claims, and the BBC launched a formal investigation to evaluate the allegations.
The investigation, concluded in September 2023, cleared Giovanni of the most serious accusations of physical aggression. While verbal bullying and harassment complaints were partially upheld, the report found no evidence of threatening or abusive conduct.
The BBC publicly apologized to Amanda Abbington for the experiences she described and thanked her for raising her concerns.
Despite the official report, Amanda has maintained a public stance on the matter, speaking openly on the podcast White Wine Question Time. She stated, “I just felt I wasn’t being treated fairly in that room,” highlighting her ongoing feelings about the experience.
Amanda also shared that she received significant public backlash, including 20 to 30 death threats a day, after voicing her concerns.
In reflecting on the aftermath, Amanda admitted that she sometimes questions public perception, stating she is unsure if people still “like” her. Nevertheless, she emphasized that she has no regrets about standing up for herself and intends to continue her acting career.
Amanda has taken on a less high-profile role in the play (This Is Not A) Happy Room, performing for intimate audiences at a north London theatre. She also expressed interest in exploring directing in the future, demonstrating her commitment to evolving within the entertainment industry despite the challenges she faced.
Meanwhile, Giovanni Pernice appears to have successfully resumed his dance career in Italy. His participation in Ballando con le Stelle marks a return to high-profile performances, allowing him to demonstrate his technical skill and stage presence while navigating the delicate dynamics of partnership and live audience scrutiny.
The brief redirection of his hand by Francesca Fialdini serves as a reminder of the professionalism and respect required in competitive dance settings, highlighting how performers must adapt in real-time during live events.
As both Giovanni and Amanda continue on separate professional paths, their respective experiences shed light on the pressures faced by performers in high-stakes television and live entertainment, where public scrutiny and personal boundaries often intersect.