Giovanni Pernice has won the Italian version of Strictly Come Dancing months after a BBC internal investigation into complaints about his behaviour on the show. Professional dancer Pernice said his Ballando Con Le Stelle victory with partner Bianca Guaccero, who is also his girlfriend, was a dream, adding: "After a difficult year I'm back".

The win came months he left the UK in the wake of an investigation into allegations about his behaviour on the BBC show made by former dance partner Amanda Abbington. Taking to his Instagram on Sunday, the day after winning the trophy, Giovanni addressed his UK fans and thank them for their support.

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We just want to say a massive thank you, because realistically, we couldn’t do anything without you,’ the dancer told his supporters in the UK

EXCLUSIVE: Former Strictly dancer Giovanni Pernice is gearing up for his highly anticipated return to UK telly after the BBC completed their investigation.

The BBC star broke his silence after winning the Italian edition of the dance show on Saturday (December 21) evening.

Former Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Giovanni Pernice has requested the help of his UK fans. The dancer is taking part in Italian dance show Ballando con Le Stelle with the final taking place tonight.

Bianca Guaccero and Giovanni Pernice were partners on Ballando Con Le Stelle - Italian's answer to Strictly [Getty Images] Giovanni Pernice, a former professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing, has won an Italian dance show months after he left the UK ...

EXCLUSIVE: It comes after Giovanni, 34, vowed to marry divorced mother-of-one Bianca Guaccero, 43, after they landed the top spot - thanks in part to die-hard fans voting from the UK.