Giovanni Pernice reveals health impact of Amanda Abbington bullying row

Giovanni Pernice has spilled the beans about his row with Amanda Abbington, claiming the ordeal left him with a heart condition.

Back in 2023, Giovanni was involved in an explosive bullying row with actress Amanda Abbington after she quit the competition midway through the series, bringing his nine-year tenure on Strictly Come Dancing to an end.

The BBC investigated Giovanni over 16 allegations in total, upholding six and clearing him of ten of the most serious accusations.

In a new interview, the dancer claimed that the stress caused by the allegations led him to develop an 'inflammation of the heart.'

He told Heat: 'I don't find that the "Strictly family" exists because we're all there for the same reason - it's a competition and everybody wants to win.

'The other pros all want to be successful. We all want to be the best and we all want to win the Glitterball. When somebody becomes more successful than someone else, it's normal that they get on their nerves, it's a rivalry.

'You will have good moments and bad moments, even though they like to say it's a family, that's not true.'

Meanwhile, Giovanni Pernice was caught in a heated argument with Craig Doyle and Christine Lampard on This Morning on Tuesday.

At one point, Giovanni, 35, clashed with Craig, insisting that his aim wasn't to dredge up the scandal by writing his memoir.