Lorraine Kelly grills 'perfectionist' Giovanni Pernice over Amanda Abbington

Lorraine Kelly grills 'perfectionist' Giovanni Pernice over Amanda Abbington

What did you miss?

Lorraine Kelly gave "perfectionist" Giovanni Pernice a grilling over his partnership with Amanda Abbington on Strictly.

Abbington left Strictly early amid reports they clashed behind the scenes over the dancer's training style. It become a huge talking point with former dance partner Michelle Visage saying she fought with Pernice every day. This weekend there were reports Laura Whitmore, Ranvir Singh and Abbington - all of whom were partnered with Pernice - met to discuss their experiences on Strictly.

The Scottish TV host probed Pernice over his teaching style, asking him whether he was going to make any changes going forward with Strictly Come Dancing. Pernice instead responded saying it was a "shame" that Abbington bowed out of the competition as she had the potential to make the final.

What, how and why?

The TV host said: "We know with Strictly, we know it didn't work the last time. Are you going to change? Because I know you are a perfectionist." Speaking over Pernice, she added: "You just want to win - and I don't blame you."

Pernice had no qualms saying how he really felt, saying: "It's not just about the winning." The professional dancer said it was a "shame" that his partner bowed out of the competition early because she had the potential to get to the final. He added: "Sometimes it's worse... It was a very shame, I think with Amanda we could have gone all the way to the final. Great talent."

The TV host continued on her line of questioning, saying: "Sometimes it's just don't gel. That must happen."

Pernice squashed it and he hailed his former dance partner for her "great talent". He said: "But again - You are just there to put these people in perspective to be the best they can on Saturday night. Amanda was a great, great talent, great dancer. The judges appreciated what we did do."

Anton Du Beke threw his support behind Pernice in this moment in the interview. "I thought you were marvellous," he said. Du Beke changed the conversation tactfully, saying: "It's interesting actually when you start to watch from the judge perspective. Sometimes people start and you think, 'This is rather good'. And sometimes it goes the other way."

Pernice and Du Beke are doing the TV interview rounds to promote their new travel show Adventures In Spain.

Adventures in Spain

In the first episode of Adventures In Spain that aired on Monday, Pernice made a confession about his work style to fellow Strictly star Du Beke.

He told his friend in confidence: "You know, I'm a workaholic as they say. Because obviously there is the fear that it is all going to finish someday, which is the truth.

"Obviously I support me, I support my family back in Sicily, financially, so obviously I have fear that if I stop, everybody else stops because of me."

Yahoo has reached out to Laura Whitmore, Ranvir Singh and Amanda Abbington's representatives for further comment.

Read more

• What Strictly stars have said about Giovanni Pernice amid Amanda Abbington claims

• Michelle Visage fought every day with Strictly's Giovanni Pernice

• Strictly's Anton Du Beke and Giovanni Pernice realise they’ve made dance mistake

• Three past Strictly contestants ‘meet to discuss difficult time’ with pro dancer