Giovanni Pernice wins Italian Strictly competition as he thanks UK fans

Earlier in the month, comedian Chris McCausland became the first blind contestant to win Strictly, lifting the glitterball trophy alongside his dance partner Dianne Buswell.

Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni Pernice has won the Italian version of the show Ballando con le Stelle, and thanked his UK fans, months after he was axed from the BBC following an investigation for abuse allegations.

The BBC investigation into Pernice’s behaviour upheld “some, but not all” of the complaints made against the professional dancer.