Strictly Come Dancing star Lauren Oakley shows support to Giovanni Pernice amid 'bullying' allegations

Strictly Come Dancing star Lauren Oakley has expressed her support for co-star Giovanni Pernice following his departure from the BBC show.

The professional dancer took to social media to back the Italian dancer as the BBC launch an investigation into his behaviour while appearing on ballroom series.

Pernice strongly denied all allegations against him, describing them as “simply false”. It was confirmed last month that he will not return for the show’s 22nd series later this year.

The BBC has also announced a new duty of care package will be rolled out to safeguard both celebrities and their dance partners.

In light of the furore, Oakley attended Pernice’s new show with Anton Du Beke, which is currently touring the UK, and shared a photo from the audience as she watched the performance at the Assembly Hall Theatre in Tunbridge Wells.

Captioning the photo, she wrote: “Shine beauties shine”.

Her support comes after fellow Strictly professional Gorka Marquez shared his bittersweet feelings returning to the BBC series following the departure of his close friend Giovanni Pernice.

Appearing on Tuesday’s Good Morning Britain, Marquez said: “It's like when Aljaž Škorjanec left or when Anton Du Beke took the judging role. Everybody is a big part of the show.

“When someone decides to leave or change their careers, it's sad for everybody.”

His comment follow reports that the Strictly Come Dancing cast has been forbidden from discussing Pernice’s "bullying row".

Producers are allegedly eager to preserve the show's family-friendly image and want to avoid further controversy.

The BBC initiated an investigation after Pernice, 33, faced accusations of "bullying behavior".

As the show celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, executives hope the focus will be on the milestone rather than the Pernice controversy.

The strict measures from executives follow head judge Shirley Ballas’s defence of Pernice on ITV’s Lorraine, where she described him as a “perfect gentleman”.

A source told The Sun: “We're just a few weeks away from the 2024 cast reveal, and bosses are worried that the scandal is dangerously close to overshadowing the new series.

“A lot of work has gone into this 20th anniversary season, but all anyone talks about is Giovanni.

“Shirley's passionate defense of him only added fuel to the fire. Bosses are hoping that silencing the cast will help shift the focus back to the show itself.”

In response to the report, a BBC spokesperson told The Standard: “We recently issued a statement urging the media not to indulge in speculation about complaints related to a high profile show; and as we made clear, anyone involved in a complaint has a right to both confidentiality and fair process.”