Debbie McGee spoke out in support of her former Strictly partner Giovanni Pernice once againon social media on Tuesday, after it was confirmed he won't return for this year's series.
The professional dancers who will appear on the upcoming 2024 series were announced on Monday - with Giovanni's name absent amid a probe into alleged workplace 'misconduct'.
Magician's assistant Debbie, 65, who was Giovanni's celebrity partner on the show back in 2017, admitted she's 'heartbroken' for the Italian dancer, 33.
Debbie claimed he 'nurtured her through grief and gave her confidence' during their stint on the show, as she defended the dancer for a third time.
Alongside a photo of the pair, she penned: 'I am heartbroken for @giovannipernice My experience on Strictly will always be happy and life changing.
Debbie McGee, 65, spoke out in support of her former Strictly partner Giovanni Pernice, 33, once again on social media on Tuesday,after it was confirmed he won't return for this year's series
Magician's assistant Debbie, who was Giovanni's celebrity partner on the show back in 2017, admitted she's 'heartbroken' for the Italian dancer
'Gio nurtured me through my grief and gave me confidence I could do things I thought was beyond me. ❤️'
In March, Debbie admitted that all of her memories on the show were 'happy ones' and said she 'adored' Giovanni, as well as the rest of the team.
Speaking to the Express, she said: 'All my memories of Strictly behind-the-scenes are happy ones. I adored every single minute and every single person I was working with.
'I never felt an ounce of competitiveness. Everyone supported each other - Pros and Celebrities.'
The BBClaunched an investigation after the dancer was accused of 'threatening and abusive behaviour'while working with celebrity contestants on the show, including Amanda Abbington,Ranvir SinghandLaura Whitmore- which he has strongly denied.
Lastweek amale celebrity reportedly joined the group of women making complaints about Giovanni's behaviour.
It has also been claimed that a professional dancer needed three months of therapy after starring on the show alongside Giovanni.
James Jordan gave his opinion on the drama after it was confirmed he won't return to the series.
Debbie claimed he 'nurtured her through grief and gave her confidence' during their stint on the show, as she defended the dancer for a third time
Alongside a photo of the pair, she penned: 'I am heartbroken for @giovannipernice My experience on Strictly will always be happy and life changing. Gio nurtured me through my grief and gave me confidence I could do things I thought was beyond me. ❤️'
In March, Debbie admitted that all of her memories on the show were 'happy ones' and said she 'adored' Giovanni, as well as the rest of the team
Speaking to the Express , she said: 'All my memories of Strictly behind-the-scenes are happy ones. I adored every single minute and every single person I was working with. I never felt an ounce of competitiveness. Everyone supported each other - Pros and Celebrities.'
Appearing on This Morning on Tuesday, former dancer on the show James and his wife Ola gave their views on the decision, as James admitted: 'It's a shame it has come to this'.
He added: 'The only thing I will say is there is no smoke without fire and I have always protected the professional dancers and we don't know the ins and outs of it.
'Isn't the proof in the pudding a little bit. He is not back on the show so clearly, whether he has decided not to go back or whether the BBC have not asked him back there is something going on and we have not seen the footage.'
While James left the show back in 2013, he confessed: 'I would be devastated, is this happened to me.
'For four people to come forward there must be something there,' before adding: 'It is very difficult to go on something that we do not see'.
Meanwhile his wife Ola explained: 'Not everyone gets on and you have to change how to dance with each one.'
Fellow professional dancer Kristina Rihanoff also appeared on the ITV daytime show as she joined hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeleyin studio to share her upset over the news.
She began: 'I think the show will always go on and do great things because they have a great pool of dancers.'
The professional dancers who will appear on the upcoming 2024 series were announced on Monday - with Giovanni's name absent amid a probe into alleged workplace 'misconduct'
Amanda Abbington left the competition mid-way through the series, citing personal reasons after weeks of rumours about a feud with Giovanni
The BBC launched an investigation after the dancer was accused of 'threatening and abusive behaviour' while working with celebrity contestants on the show, including Amanda Abbington (pictured), Ranvir Singh and Laura Whitmore
The Sherlock star, who is now being represented by £700-an-hour law firm Carter-Ruck, said she was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and demanded to see footage from rehearsals
Looking visibly saddened, Kristina explained: 'The news is very sad as I think when you lose one of the best choreographers and dancers on the show as a professional it is very sad.'
'He produced some very memorable dancers and took a few of his celebrity partners all the way to the final.
'So from a professional point of view the show will lose a wonderful dancer and choreographer.'
Amanda left the competition mid-way through the series, citing personal reasons after weeks of rumours about a feud with Giovanni.
The Sherlock star, who is now being represented by £700-an-hour law firm Carter-Ruck, said she was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and demanded to see footage from rehearsals.
Kristina confirmed she always had her rehearsals recorded, as she added: 'I have never not had the training sessions recorded'.
On Monday the lineup for the next series confirmed the return of dancersDianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Graziano Di Prima,Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Marquezand Luba Mushtuk.
Joining them are Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas and Vito Coppola.
James Jordan and his wife Ola gave his opinion on the drama after it was confirmed he won't return to the series
Fellow professional dancer Kristina Rihanoff also appeared on the ITV daytime show as she joined hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley in studio to share her upset over the news and admitted: 'the show will go on'
WhileAmy Dowden is also coming back to the dancefloor after taking a break from the show last year to undergo cancer treatment.
The BBC also confirmed the return of judges Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel-Horwood and Anton Du Beke.
While fans were overjoyed to see Amy, 33, and the other dancers return, many were angry that Giovanni was not coming back, believing he had been pushed out by bosses due to the allegations about his behaviour.
They took to social media to fume that the Italian had been made a 'scapegoat' and said they would not watch the show anymore in protest, claiming it 'won't be the same without him'.
They raged: 'Gutted! He's my fav. Should be a petition to bring him back! If some celebs can't handle the training and hard work then they shouldn't go on the show. He was amazing with Rose;That's me not watching anymore!'
