Gio: I won't change

Pernice is adamant he will not ditch his tough teaching style following complaints from former dance partner Amanda Abbington

- SALLY MCLEAN

F ORMER Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni Pernice defiantly said he "wouldn't change" his teaching style in the future despite the BBC probe into his behaviour when partnered with former constestant Amanda Abbington.

The Sherlock actress made allegations against the Italian dancer earlier this year, claiming she was subject to a "toxic environment" and "inappropriate, mean, nasty bullying" An investigation into the actress's complaints about Pernice followed, with the BBC upholding "some, but not all" of the complaints made against the professional dancer.

And speaking on ITV's Lorraine in his first TV interview since the probe, Pernice, who is not part of this year's Strictly professional dancing line-up and has since joined the Italian equivalent Ballando con le Stelle, said his teaching style helps contestants to success.

The 34-year-old said: "I wouldn't change my teaching style because, in my opinion, it's a profession, dancing is a very difficult thing to do. I have achieved four finals, I won the show with Rose (Ayling-Ellis), now I'm breaking records in Italy with Bianca (Guaccero).

"I've potentially got all the records in on Strictly, but it's not to blow my own trumpet, I think it's a difficult discipline, and for me, teaching, the way I teach, is the successful way to approach this. Yes, you could change the approach, but not changing the teaching style."