GIOVANNI Pernice is in talks for I’m A Celebrity after it was revealed that he has decided to step back from Strictly Come Dancing.
Last night The Sun revealed that the Italian dancer, 33, has told pals “he’s quitting Strictly” and is seeking roles on other TV shows.
Fans might not have to wait long to see him on our screens again.
A source said: "Giovanni would be perfect for the jungle.
"ITV bosses have wanted him for years and now he is finally free. Everyone is desperate to get him on board - he really would be ideal for those jungle showers.
"They are expected to offer him big money and he's unlikely to turn it down really.
Read more on Giovanni Pernice
"He'll have finished touring and will have those months free now he's not doing Strictly."
ITV declined to comment.
Giovanni, who joined the BBC competition in 2015, has recently faced a number of allegations over his tough training methods from the likes of previous partner Amanda Abbington, 52.
Actress Amanda quit the dance competition just weeks in after reports that the pair had been "feuding".
The star allegedly told pals that her relationship with Gio left her suffering with PTSD.
Last night a source told The Sun: “Gio feels the scrutiny on him has become too much, and now is the time to make a fresh start.
“He wants to focus on other TV projects, and feels he’s achieved all he can on Strictly, having won the trophy back in 2021 and reaching the final an unprecedented four times.
“He remains adamant he’s done nothing wrong other than being a hard taskmaster, but knows his style of training isn’t to everyone’s liking — especially in this day and age.
“He has a lot of other exciting projects in the pipeline right now, and he’s just super-excited to get cracking on them. This, now, is his priority.”
Chance to shine solo
NEWS to make a million housewives’ hearts break; but the right news.
After months of fevered speculation concerning his “vigorous” training methods, Giovanni Pernice has cut his losses, and quit the show that made him a household name. (And, as mentioned, a housewives’ favourite).
Frankly, Gio’s position on Strictly had become untenable.
One unhappy celebrity partner is unlucky. Four is unacceptable.
By all accounts, away from the dance floor, Giovanni is nice chap.
Certainly, he was, for many years, a hugely popular figure behind the scenes.
But since Amanda Abbington very publicly quit the show, citing “private medical reasons”- which she later elaborated was PTSD, from the stress of training up to 10 hours a day with Gio - his popularity with fellow pros is understandably on the wane.
No-one wants to be associated with a headline-stealing taskmaster, one who makes his partners cry.
In his defence, Giovanni is a passionate Sicilian, one who grew up in dance schools where crying through exhaustion was the norm. This was his norm.
But in 2024, on a glossy, Saturday night celebrity dance show, this isn’t normal.
He’s an incredibly good-looking, charming and talented performer - he has already been flooded with “exciting TV offers”.
This, then, is Gio’s cha-cha-chance to shine, solo, and win over a whole new legion of fans… not just the housewives.