Strictly's biggest stories this week as Giovanni Pernice responds to 'bullying' claims

Strictly Come Dancing's stars might have been training hard for Halloween week, but there's been plenty going on off the dancefloor, too.

Former pro cast star Giovanni Pernice hit back at bullying claims this week, finally speaking out on his side of the scandal story - but Amanda Abbington's team were not in agreement with his take on what happened.

Meanwhile, there's been a complex love pentagon situation unfolding as things sound frosty between Nadiya Bychkova and Kai Widdrington since their split, as Widdrington looked cosy with Love Islander Maura Higgins. But Pete Wicks has also been rumoured to be spending time with Higgins, despite reports he is dating dance partner Jowita Przystal.

It certainly hasn't been a quiet week in Strictly land - here are the biggest stories from on and off the dancefloor.

Read more:

• 'Strictly's first performance is the death slot destined for dance off'

• What is the truth about Strictly's Pete Wicks and Maura Higgins' relationship?

• Strictly's Pete Wicks defends 'illegal' moves after 'disqualification' comment

📺 Giovanni Pernice says 'I am not a bully'

Dropped Strictly pro Giovanni Pernice has given a TV interview of his own this week, setting out his version of events in the training room scandal to ITV's Lorraine.

Amongst Pernice's many claims were that he was "not a bully", that he and Amanda Abbington had never argued in training, and that he would "never say never" to a Strictly return.

Watch: Giovanni Pernice says he is not a bully and suggests Strictly return

However, a statement from Abbington's lawyers called his claims "false and delusional" and accused him of "gaslighting behaviour", so it seems the score is far from settled yet.

Read more at The Independent: Amanda Abbington hits back at Giovanni Pernice after Strictly pro’s comments on scandal

💞 Pete Wicks, Kai Widdrington and Maura Higgins rumours

There's been a complex romance rumour situation unfolding this week involving a Strictly pro, a celebrity contestant and a former Love Islander.

Kai Widdrington and Maura Higgins were spotted looking very cosy at the Pride of Britain Awards, which surprised some onlookers as she had also appeared to be getting close with Pete Wicks — which is in turn surprising because he is thought to be dating his Strictly dance partner Jowita Przystal.

To complicate things even further, Higgins found fame on Love Island where she was linked to Ireland Dancing with the Stars pro Curtis Pritchard (brother of ex-Strictly pro AJ Pritchard) and has previously dated Giovanni Pernice, while Widdrington has recently split from co-star Nadiya Bychkova who made telling comments about their break-up this week.

Read more at the Evening Standard: Strictly's Kai Widdrington and Maura Higgins spotted cosying up at Pride of Britain Awards

💔 Nadiya Bychkova and Kai Widdrington are 'not friends'

Earlier this year, things looked blissful in Strictly pros Widdrington and Bychkova's relationship but by July, the pair had ended their two-year romance and things don't sound entirely amicable now.

Bychkova was also at the Pride of Britain Awards, where she said of their relationship post-split: "We work together but we are not friends and that’s okay.

"One thing I can tell you is that when you see me dancing with him it will be amazing because I’m a professional."

Read more at Digital Spy: Strictly’s Nadiya confirms she’s "not friends" with Kai after split

😱 JB Gill dance off shocker

JLS star JB Gill and his hugely popular dance partner Amy Dowden started the series as the favourites to win, thanks to Gill's dancing talent and Dowden's welcome return after her cancer treatment.

So it came as a shock to many that they found themselves in the dance off last weekend, which ultimately saw Paul Merson sent home, with some fans wondering whether Gill fell foul of the running order by going first.

Opening up to It Takes Two, Gill said: "I mean, we got 30. So it wasn’t like we had a shabby score, so, of course, it’s always disappointing."

Read more at PA Media: JB Gill says being in Strictly dance-off after score of 30 was ‘disheartening’

🎃 Halloween week spooktacular

Everyone's favourite theme week returns this Saturday with the Halloween episode and while the devil works hard, Strictly's costume department work harder as they put together another wardrobe of iconic spooky outfits for the cast.

Sam Quek will take on a Time Warp inspired Jive, Sarah Hadland is facing the drama of the Argentine Tango, and Montell Douglas is stepping into Strictly legend Ed Balls' shoes with her version of a Cha Cha to Love Potion No. 9.

Meanwhile, the pro cast have been working on a Beetlejuice group dance to open the show in scary style.

But Strictly fans know that this is the one week where the dancing plays second fiddle to the costumes and make-up, as we look forward to some spooktacular transformations.

Read more at the Evening Standard: Strictly Come Dancing Halloween Week 2024 songs and dances revealed

Strictly Come Dancing continues on BBC One at 6.25pm on Saturday.