Giovanni Pernice 'in talks' for ITV I’m A Celebrity after quitting BBC Strictly Come Dancing
Giovanni Pernice has been linked with a shock move to ITV to star in I'm A Celebrity after reports he has quit BBC Strictly Come Dancing. The BBC is reportedly "gathering evidence" after "serious complaints" from three of Giovanni's co-stars.
I'm A Celebrity insiders say bosses are desperate to get him board for the ITV hit and are just waiting for him to sign on the dotted line. Speaking to the Sun newspaper today (Friday May 17) amid the rife speculation, a source said: "Giovanni would be perfect for the jungle.
"ITV bosses have wanted him for years and now he is finally free. Everyone is really eager to get him on board - he really would be ideal for those jungle showers. They are expected to offer him big money and he's unlikely to turn it down really.
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"He'll have finished touring and will have those months free now he's not doing Strictly. It's definitely a very tempting offer and will be surprise if he turns it down." Last night a source told The Sun: “Gio feels the scrutiny on him has become too much, and now is the time to make a fresh start.
“He wants to focus on other TV projects, and feels he’s achieved all he can on Strictly, having won the trophy back in 2021 and reaching the final an unprecedented four times. He remains adamant he’s done nothing wrong other than being a hard taskmaster, but knows his style of training isn’t to everyone’s liking — especially in this day and age.
“He has a lot of other exciting projects in the pipeline right now, and he’s just super-excited to get cracking on them. This, now, is his priority.” Giovanni has faced allegations of being a hard taskmaster, with complaints from the likes of Amanda Abbington, who dramatically quit the programme halfway through last year's series.
ITV declined to comment.