Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni Pernice has revealed his fear that he will never be able to return to the show.
The star, 34, found himself at the heart of a bullying scandal last year following a series of allegations made by former dance partner Amanda Abbington.
After a probe into the allegations, the BBC issued an apology to the Sherlock star – upholding a number of points, but clearing Pernice of the most serious claims.
There were no findings relating to physical aggression, but complaints of verbal bullying and harassment were upheld, reported the PA news agency last year.
Pernice, who joined the show in 2015, opened up about his Strictly future, revealing his fear that his time on the show is done – despite his own hopes for a comeback.
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In an interview with The Daily Mail, the dancer said: ‘I would love to go back to Strictly because Strictly changed my life. It is a massive show, but I don’t think they’re going to have me back. They’re not.
‘I’m upset as well. It’s been a great, great, great ten years. I achieved everything. But it’s not my choice, it’s not my decision.’
He added: ‘Everybody has moved on. Maybe I might come back in a few years like Alijaz [Škorjanec]. I think this is the path we take. And don’t forget, I’m the reigning Italian champion.’
This comes as he and partner-turned-girlfriend Bianca Guaccero, 43, were crowned winners of Italian dance competition Ballando con le Stelle – bolstering his confidence and helping him to turn a corner after the BBC probe.
‘It was a very bad dream. It was a difficult year, but I managed to get through it. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. It’s important to remember that,’ he told the tabloid.
‘And when I saw that trophy in Rome I knew I had got through it.’
He continued: ‘My parents worried so much. They are so happy now and so relieved it’s over.
‘People ask how I kept going. The truth is I had to. It was hard but I have faith. I believe in God. I knew what I did and I just had to wait until the thing finished.’
After meeting Italian actress, singer and TV presenter Bianca Guaccero on the show, the pair confirmed rumours of their romance soon after.
In a video clip at the time, Pernice said: ‘Bianca is my priority. She has been my priority from the beginning. She is still my priority today and will be until the end of the show and beyond.’
After being crowned winners of the Italian version of Strictly, the star took to social media to celebrate, sharing a clip of himself and Bianca taking home the win.
This came accompanied with the caption ‘la coppia vince’ – which translates to ‘the couple wins.’
Meanwhile, The Mirror claimed that Pernice planned to propose to his partner, should they win the competition.
‘If we win the show, I’ll seriously think about it,’ he said, when asked whether he’d given any thought to popping the question.
