Strictly Giovanni Pernice's six-word reaction as Lorraine makes Amanda Abbington claim

Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni Pernice has defended his partnership with Amanda Abbington on ITV’s Lorraine today. After host Lorraine Kelly suggested the pair “didn’t gel”, the dancer insisted that they “could have gone all the way” if Amanda hadn’t quit the BBC show.

Amanda withdrew from the competition five weeks in, citing "illness", and later revealed she had been diagnosed with PTSD. She has also since reportedly asked for the footage of her rehearsals with Giovanni, which has caused speculation about the dancer’s strict training methods.

Giovanni appeared with his Strictly co-star Anton Du Beke on the chat show, as the pair promoted their new series, Anton and Giovanni's Adventures in Spain. Speaking to the pair about the latest season of Strictly, Lorraine said: “We know with Strictly, sometimes it doesn’t work, Giovanni.

“We know sometimes… And it didn’t work the last time. Are you going to change anything? Because I know you’re a perfectionist and you just want to win - I don’t blame you for that!”

“It’s not just about the winning,” Giovanni replied. “I think it was a shame because, as I’ve said in the past, it was a shame because I think with Amanda we could have gone all the way to the final. She was a great talent.

Anton agreed the pair were “marvellous” together, as Lorraine chimed in: “Sometimes, it’s just not going to gel. I mean I guess that must happen, that’s the thing.”

Giovanni added: “Again, to put this in the perspective of people being the best they can on Saturday night.

“You know, Amanda was a great talent, a great dancer. And the judges appreciated what we did.”

Sherlock actress Amanda appeared to be a front-runner on Strictly 2024 before she pulled out of the competition five weeks in, citing "illness".

At the time, she told fans on social media: “It is with deepest regret that I had to leave Strictly.

“I did not come to this decision easily or lightly but for personal reasons I am unable to continue… I’m so sad that I am unable to go any further.”

The star later claimed she had been diagnosed with PTSD following the show and has since allegedly requested footage of her and Giovanni’s dance rehearsals.

In January, the BBC confirmed it would not be investigating Giovanni’s behaviour behind the scenes.

Addressing the fallout on the Invite Only podcast alongside his pal Anton, he simply said: “I am a perfectionist.

"But it comes from a perspective of caring. I think all of the professional dancers are in the same place.

“In every single part of the world, if you’re a professional dancer on one of these shows, you have to get these people looking the best they can on Saturday night. And if we have good scores at the end, I do look back and say, ‘I’ve done a great job’.

“But we all care about our partners and we want that for them every single week – to look great on a Saturday.

"There’s no specific way that you are, or have to be with your celebrity. You make the most of their strengths so the only thing that’s constant is the fact that you have to do a show on Saturday night.”

Anton and Giovanni’s Adventures in Spain airs on Monday at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Lorraine airs weekdays at 9am on ITV1 and ITVX.