Giovanni Pernice and his company Ballando provide dance workshops outside of Strictly Come Dancing.
Strictly Come Dancing is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, but Pernice has left the show after nine years. Amanda Abbington quit Strictly prematurely when he taught her to dance in the 2023 series. Their feud has remained in the headlines ever since, with Abbington complaining that Pernice’s dancing methods were “militant” and saying she had been diagnosed with “mild PTSD”. The BBC is investigating and Pernice has denied any suggestion of “any abusive or threatening behaviour”.
Moving on, Pernice has been focusing on his projects outside of Strictly. One of his focal points is his Ballando dance classes. So what are Ballado dance classes, who works with Pernice and what are the rules?
Dance lessons by Giovanni Pernice
Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice won the Glitterball trophy on Strictly. (BBC)
Pernice’s dance classes are open to everyone of all experience levels, from beginners to advanced dancers. They are solo dance classes rather than partner dance classes. The style of dance is determined by the teacher, whether it is Pernice or one of his Strictly helpers.
Each class is a different style of dance. The dance workshops are held all over the UK and Ireland. Pernice will be teaching the Ballando dance classes in various locations while he performs his solo tour The Last Dance in 2025.
Pernice revealed that he started the classes to share his love for dancing with the world. The Italian star said that the classes are not designed to create champions, but to have a good time. He said: “So I created the platform Ballando, just because I want to share the love and passion that I have for dancing with everyone. All you have to do is come to the class, participate and have a good time! I always say that Ballando is not created to make people become world champions, but just to have a good time and feel good.”
Read more: Strictly
The Strictly stars team up with Giovanni Pernice
Strictly judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke. (BBC)
Strictly stars are teaming up with Pernice for the dance classes outside of Strictly Come Dancing. Strictly judges Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse are the latest stars to join forces with Pernice for the dance classes. More details about their dance classes – which will take place on 29 September – will be released later this week.
Strictly’s head judge Shirley Ballas and fellow judge Anton Du Beke gave dance lessons to Ballando together with Pernice. Ballas enjoyed teaching the Jive to the audience, while Du Beke got everyone dancing to the Quickstep. This time Pernice had chosen to dance the Cha Cha Cha.
Ballas said, “Ballando is unlike any other class I’ve taught before. First of all, the atmosphere is electric. Everyone is here to learn something, and more than just learn, to have a great time. And I think that combination makes Ballando one of the most special classes in the world to teach.”
Du Beke said: “We had a lot of fun. We had the boys in the band too. Who gets to dance with live music like this. This is magical! You meet great people. You have a lot of fun and you also learn a little bit of dancing.”
The dance rules of Giovanni Pernice
Giovanni Pernice loves teaching dance to the public. (Getty)
Of course, there are a number of rules for the dance lessons. Participants under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs will not be admitted to the event as stated on the dance booking.
Dancegoers are asked to “be respectful to the professionals teaching the class, the organizers and the other attendees, so that everyone feels safe and welcome in the class.” Unfriendly and disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated, the dance booking added.
During classes, only participants are allowed in the room, with the exception of supervisors for under-18s who must wait outside the dance room. Participants must be at least 14 years old and those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
