Giovanni Pernice tries his luck as he's seen out and about amid Strictly Come Dancing support

Giovanni Pernice has been seen out and about as he enjoyed his downtime between shows as his Strictly Come Dancing furore continues. The dancer is currently back on stage alongside his friend and now former co-star Anton Du Beke.

Over the weekend, the pair kicked off their latest tour, Anton and Giovanni Together - The Live Tour, which will see them travel and perform up and down the country until July 21 when they finish their shows at The Lowry in Salford.

But the tour comes amid continued talk about Giovanni's time on Strictly after it was confirmed the Italian star will not be part of this year's professional line-up for the upcoming 2024 series amid allegations of "threatening and abusive behaviour" towards his former partners.

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He previously rejected the allegations and said he looks “forward to clearing my name”. Giovanni, 33, issued a fresh statement on Sunday morning (June 16) and said he is “co-operating fully” with an ongoing BBC investigation and is looking forward to “clearing my name and establishing the truth”.

In the meantime, Giovanni was spotted visiting Silver Time Casino before heading to Admiral Casino and Slots. He was seen enjoying a cigarette break from the high-street establishments, sporting a white 'Made in Italy' tee with black joggers and white trainer depicting Italy's flag.

The 33-year-old was later seen enjoying a pastry at Paul Bakery. This is his first public appearance since Strictly's Shirley Ballas defended the 'true gentleman' and claimed things were 'blown out of proportion' following his shock exit from the BBC show amid a workplace 'misconduct' probe.

Speaking at Chorleywood Memorial Hall, Herts, promoting her new book Murder on the Dancefloor, she said on Monday night (June 17), according to the Mirror: "I know he is a hard worker. He wants the people to do the very best that they can do. Obviously, in my life I was bullied a lot. I don't condone bullying on any path but also I don't believe gossip and what you read in the newspapers because things get escalated and they are blown way out of all proportion and it can turn into a great big snowball."

"So my feeling for Giovanni is, let them do this investigation or whatever it is they are doing and the truth will come out. So we don't judge anybody until I know absolutely 100 per cent. I won't pass on the gossip unless I know 100 per cent it is true. I have never ever, ever experienced any ill will or bad feeling or bad sportsmanship or rudeness from him. He will be missed."

Shirley said she had spoken to the dancer only that day - and praised him for being kind to her mum when she was diagnosed with cancer. She added: "I just spoke to Giovanni 30 minutes before coming here and I am going to one of his Ballando classes to teach the jive (with Anton).

"He is coming to my party with Anton on Sunday. You know, I can only talk from my own perspective. I have known Giovanni for 10 years. My mother loves him. It does not matter when he is on tour, or where he is or what he is doing, he will make his way across and he will say 'Lovely to see you Shirley. Lovely to see your mum.'

"I have got so many beautiful pictures, of the times that he spent, particularly when my mum was poorly, and he reached out. So he has always been to me, and I will make that clear, to me... a perfect gentleman."