Karen Hauer has said she will ‘miss’ her co-star Giovanni Pernice as she discussed his departure from Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday.
The Venezuelan-born dancer, 42, the hit BBC show’s longest-serving professional of 13 years, said Giovanni, 33, stepping down from the show was a ‘huge surprise’.
The BBC launched an investigation into Giovanni after he was accused of ‘threatening and offensive behaviour’ while working with celebrity contestants on the show, including Amanda Abbington, 50, Ranvir Singh and Laura Whitmore.
Karen has now said the allegations against Giovanni are ‘really sad’ and that she ‘hasn’t spoken’ to the professional dancer as he is currently busy touring.
She said The mirror: ‘We will miss him. It was a huge surprise. Things can happen that we don’t know about. I don’t want to say anything that’s wrong, and I don’t want to hurt anyone. But it’s not a good feeling for anyone.
Karen Hauer has said she will ‘miss’ co-star Giovanni Pernice as she discussed his departure from Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday
The Venezuelan-born dancer, 42, who is the longest-serving professional on the popular BBC show for 13 years, said Giovanni, 33, stepping down from the show was a “huge surprise”.
“We’re all so busy on the show doing our own thing. We’re all in a bubble with our own celebs. I couldn’t comment (on the allegations). I haven’t spoken to him, he’s busy doing his thing on tour. I don’t know what happened. It’s really sad.”
Elsewhere, Karen also revealed she is happy to be getting married for a fourth time as she opened up about her relationship with ex-rugby player boyfriend Simon Davidson.
The BBC star, who has been divorced three times, has not ruled out tying the knot again as she admitted she was ‘in love’ and their relationship was going ‘brilliantly’.
She said: ‘It’s great. I really enjoy a good wedding. My mum adores him. They cook together all the time. She doesn’t speak English and he doesn’t speak Spanish, so it’s interesting, but they get along so well. I’m absolutely in love.’
Karen added that as she gets older and has been through so many marriages and divorces, she has “nothing left to fight about because I’ve already fought about it.”
The professional dancer says she now understands what she needs from a partner: ‘support and understanding’
The beauty said she would say ‘never never never’ to a new marriage, but that she is ‘taking it slow’ and getting to know Simon well ‘before she takes the next step’.
Karen was married to dancer Matthew Hauer for nine years and then struck up a romance with fellow pro Kevin Clifton, with whom she had a three-year marriage until the couple divorced in 2018.
Her third marriage to fitness instructor Jordan Wyn-Jones lasted two years.
The BBC launched an investigation into Giovanni after he was accused of ‘threatening and insulting behaviour’ while working with celebrity contestants on the show, including Amanda Abbington and Laura Whitmore.
Karen has now said that the allegations against Giovanni are ‘really sad’ and that she ‘hasn’t spoken’ to the professional dancer as he is currently busy touring.
She said: ‘We will miss him. It was a huge surprise. Things can happen that we don’t know about. But it’s not a good feeling for anyone. I do not know what happened. It’s really sad’
It comes after head judge Shirley Ballas defended the professional dancer Giovanni earlier this month.
Shirley said on ITV‘S Lorraine: ‘I have known Giovanni for years and he is a truly fantastic teacher. My only experience with him is that he is an absolute gentleman. He gives 100%.
‘Strictly these kinds of shows are tough shows, so you know when you sign up for things like that, it’s pretty tough to do the show.’
Giovanni’s former celebrity partner Amanda claimed she suffered PTSD from the show and reportedly demanded footage of the two’s rehearsals, hoping the video footage could ‘substantiate’ her claims.
Three women, including actress Amanda, have also reportedly hired £700-an-hour lawyers from leading London law firm Carter Ruck.
The dancer began a counterattack by hiring the rival law firm Schillings. His case is being handled by Joelle Rich, 39, who represented Johnny Depp in his 2020 defamation case.
A spokesperson for Giovanni told the publication: ‘Schillings is in discussions with BBC Studios to provide Giovanni’s evidence to strongly refute the claims made against him and confirm that Giovanni is co-operating fully.
‘As with any reality programme, if decisions are made for entertainment reasons, the producers have a duty of care to all participants.’
Elsewhere, Karen also revealed she is thrilled to be getting married for a fourth time as she opened up about her relationship with ex-rugby player boyfriend Simon Davidson
The BBC star, who has been divorced three times, has not ruled out remarrying, admitting she is “in love” and their relationship is “going brilliantly”.
The beauty went on to say that she would ‘never say never’ about getting married again, but she is ‘taking it slow’ and getting to know Simon well ‘before she takes the next step’
It comes after chief judge Shirley Ballas defended the strictly pro Giovanni Pernice, who was accused of ‘bullying behaviour’, calling him ‘a wonderful teacher’ and ‘absolute gentlemen’.
Giovanni also shared a post on Instagram in which he said he was “completely surprised” by the allegations, which he denies.
He said in a statement: ‘You will be as surprised as I am to hear allegations made in the media this week about my dance teaching methods.
‘I obviously reject any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour and I look forward to clearing my name.
‘Those who have followed my journey on Strictly Come Dancing over the last ten years know that I am passionate and competitive. No one is more ambitious for my dance partners than me.
“I have always strived to help them become the very best dancers they can be. This has always come from a place of love and the will to win – for me and my dance partners.
“Thank you again for your continued love and support!”