Sizzling Strictly sensation Giovanni Pernice, who took a break from the glittering dance floor of Strictly Come Dancing in 2024 after facing bullying claims, is currently hot gossip as a likely housemate for the upcoming Celebrity Big Brother. The star-packed series is all set to return next month, with AJ Odudu and Will Best back on the hosting beat.
Online gambling site Card Player has spilled the odds, and it looks like our former Strictly twinkle toes is a bettor's favourite with a juicy 10/11 chance to grace our screens, the same odds as GB News presenter Eamonn Holmes.
Love Island hunk Chris Hughes has odds of 4/11 and the iconic athlete Daley Thompson is currently at 2/5. Lee Astley, Card Player's spokesperson, dished the dirt: "We could see the return of Giovanni Pernice to our screens in the near future, with the former Strictly Come Dancing Professional tipped to appear in this year's edition of Celebrity Big Brother."
The telly grapevine is also buzzing with whispers about other celebs joining the fray, including The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' star Lisa Rinna, EastEnders heartthrob James Bye, MAFSUK star Ella Morgan, Coronation Street legend Jack Shepherd and Angellica Bell, the cherished ex-CBBC host.
Earlier this year, Italian dancer Giovanni got candid about how life's been since actress Amanda Abbington accused him of being a bully during their time on Strictly in 2023, reports the Mirror.
Giovanni Pernice opened up to his audience on the first night of his stage tour in January, sharing a heartfelt confession: "Nobody wanted to be seen with me. I felt like the world collapsed.... I didn't have anybody around me. All the people that were supposed to be my friend disappeared."
He spoke candidly about feeling isolated, saying, "Nobody wanted to see me, they were like 'oh you can't be with him.'"
The dancer had faced allegations of bullying from his dance partner, leading to an internal BBC probe which substantiated six out of 17 complaints, although none related to physical aggression. Reflecting on his life before the controversy, Giovanni reminisced, "I was untouchable, was a superhero....but fate did have different plans for me."
