Shirley Ballas says 'soon' as she teases BBC Strictly Come Dancing 2024 line-up and breaks silence on Giovanni

Shirley Ballas has teased excitement for the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing, saying the announcement of the 2024 line-up will come 'rather soon.

Eager fans of the BBC dance contest are waiting to discover which celebrities will take to the dance floor following the recent reveal of this year's professional dancers, with Shirley predicting the next series will be "off the charts".

Despite recent controversies, including denied allegations about Giovanni Pernice's conduct during rehearsals, Shirley has teased that the celebrity line-up will be revealed 'rather soon'. She anticipates that announcements will begin in July and believes viewers will be thrilled with the selection.

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"It's going to be absolutely off the chart," she enthused. "Just when you think the show can't get any better, it does. We've got a great professional line-up, of course," she continued. "Tess [Daly] and Claudia [Winkleman] are back.", reports the Mirror.

However, Giovanni Pernice will not be returning to the dance floor this year, having been dropped from the show amidst the ongoing allegations regarding his behaviour in training sessions.

The Strictly community has largely remained quiet as the BBC looks into accusations levelled by his former dance partner, Amanda Abbington, who recently described the Italian dancer as "nasty".

Shirley firmly stands by Giovanni, asserting that the "truth will come out". In conversation with the Mirror, she backed him saying: "I know he is a hard worker. He wants the people to do the very best that they can do."

Additionally, she noted: "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. We don't judge anybody until I know absolutely 100 per cent. I won't pass on the gossip unless I know 100 percent it is true."

Shirley added: "I have never ever, ever experienced any ill will or bad feeling or bad sportsmanship or rudeness from him. He will be missed."

The BBC has launched an inquiry following claims of inappropriate behaviour involving Giovanni during the previous series. Sherlock actress, Amanda, who danced with the Italian last year, exited the competition after five weeks amidst rumours of disputes with her dance partner.

Following the show, the actress revealed that the experience resulted in her developing post-traumatic stress disorder. Amanda's legal representatives have allegedly asked for footage of their rehearsal and training sessions to support their lawsuit.

Other celebrities such as Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh, who were previously partnered with Giovanni, are also reported to have come forward.