Giovanni Pernice has issued a defiant message after he completed the final performance of his UK tour The Last Dance
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Giovanni Pernice, the Strictly Come Dancing star, has declared he's "not going anywhere" after wrapping up his UK tour, The Last Dance.
The Italian dancer took a swipe at those who had "turned their back" on him following his controversial exit from Strictly last year.
The 34-year-old left the BBC show after his 2023 celebrity partner, Amanda Abbington, raised concerns about his behaviour and shared how his "world collapsed" in the wake of the allegations, which were partially substantiated following an inquiry.
Giovanni, who has since joined the Italian version of Strictly called 'Ballando con le Stelle', also embarked on a nationwide tour across the UK after leaving Strictly.
![Giovanni Pernice and Amanda Abbington during the 2023 series of Strictly]()
Giovanni Pernice and Amanda Abbington during the 2023 series of Strictly (Image: (Image: BBC)) On Instagram, he wrote: "After I took that final bow at The London Palladium, I was reminded of a song; Rise like a Phoenix, because that’s how I felt. This tour meant a lot.
"As I said before it started, it was personal – a way to say thank you to everyone that has supported me. It was also a way to reflect on recent times, to say out loud some of the things I was feeling.
"To @strictlytheatreco my cast, the whole crew – thank you for everything you’ve done. Thank you for putting your all into it and bringing the show to life, making sure that each show delivered it’s best. Every show I stepped out knowing I had the best team and cast with me – you really are all fantastic.
![Giovanni has wrapped up his UK tour]()
Giovanni has wrapped up his UK tour (Image: BBC) "To those who turned their back and walked away because it wasn't good to be seen with me. I see you watching what I'm doing. I see you copying what I've already done, using me as your inspiration - you're welcome. Keep watching. Please keep watching - because this tour may have been called The Last Dance, but rest assured it's not the last from me, there is much more to come and I want
Additionally, Giovanni thanked his devoted fans and loved ones for their unwavering support, reports the Express.
He added: "The Last Dance was a sincere thank you, and I really really hope you felt that. I'll see you soon for Together Again with my best friend."
Giovanni left the BBC show after eight years (Image: BBC)![Giovanni left the BBC show after eight years]()
He concluded with a message of resilience and determination: "So as I took that final bow – I felt love from those who matter, I felt pride, I felt satisfaction and now I look forward to what's to come. Because as I said every show on tour (almost 100 of them) – The Last Dance, doesn't mean the last dance – I'm not going anywhere. I'm still standing."
This comes after Giovanni previously opened up about being shunned by friends during the Strictly bullying scandal, revealing on the first night of his 'The Last Dance' tour: "I felt the world collapsed... I didn't have anybody around me.
"All the people that were supposed to be my friends disappeared. Nobody wanted to see me, they were like, 'Oh, you can't be with him'."
