Anton Du Beke found himself in a slightly uncomfortable position during his recent appearance on Good Morning Britain 

as he was questioned about his thoughts on Giovanni Pernice possibly returning to Strictly Come Dancing.

The professional dancer and Strictly judge was on the ITV morning show on Monday, February 24, to discuss his latest venture

a podcast aimed at encouraging more women to take up golf. 

The podcast, Putt And Strut, sees Anton, 58, co-hosting with Sky Sports presenter Sarah Stirk. 

The show will feature various celebrity guests, including tennis coach Judy Murray and actor James Nesbitt.

However, the conversation soon took a turn as hosts Richard Madeley and Susanna Reid pressed Anton about his fellow dancer Giovanni Pernice, who was notably absent from Strictly last year following a review into his behavior behind the scenes. While Giovanni was cleared of the most serious allegations, the BBC did apologize to Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington after upholding some of her complaints regarding her experience with the Italian dancer during the 2023 series.

Since stepping away from the UK version of Strictly, Giovanni has returned to Italy, where he recently won the Italian equivalent of the show, Ballando Con Le Stelle, alongside his celebrity partner and real-life girlfriend, Bianca Guaccero.

Anton’s Awkward Moment on Good Morning Britain

During the interview, Richard Madeley addressed Anton directly, saying, “I’ve got a slightly tricky question for you… It’s been reported that you personally would welcome Giovanni Pernice back onto Strictly. We know that the BBC upheld six bullying complaints against him, didn’t uphold others, but you would welcome him back. That’s sticking your head above the parapet. Why would you do that?”

Anton, clearly caught off guard, let out a small laugh and responded, “That’s a very good question.” He then attempted to steer the conversation back to golf, quipping, “I’d prefer to be talking about the golf.”

Despite the hosts’ persistence, Anton remained diplomatic, expressing his support for Giovanni without directly addressing the controversy. “I was delighted for Giovanni this autumn because he went over to Italy and did Strictly there, and he won with the brilliant Bianca,” Anton said. “He was delighted to win that, and we’re going off on tour this summer, so I’ll be seeing him when we go back out on the road.”

Anton also acknowledged their professional relationship, adding, “I love being on stage with him and performing with him, and I’ve known him a long time. We’ve got a wonderful company as well, so all in all, it’s a great show.”

Giovanni’s Thoughts on Returning to Strictly

Despite the speculation, Giovanni himself has expressed doubts about whether he will ever return to the UK version of Strictly Come Dancing. In a recent interview with the Mail on Sunday, he shared his perspective on the situation, stating, “I think they have closed the book on that and moved on. I would love to go back to Strictly because Strictly changed my life. It is a massive show, but I don’t think they’re going to have me back. They’re not.”

He also admitted that he felt disappointed about how things ended but acknowledged that the decision was out of his hands. “I’m upset as well. It’s been a great, great, great ten years. I achieved everything. But it’s not my choice, it’s not my decision. Everybody has moved on,” he said.

Giovanni, however, did not completely close the door on a potential return in the future, saying, “Maybe I might come back in a few years like Aljaž [Škorjanec]. I think this is the path we take. And don’t forget, I’m the reigning Italian champion.”

What’s Next for Anton and Giovanni?

While Giovanni’s future with Strictly Come Dancing remains uncertain, he and Anton will be reuniting soon for their upcoming tour. The duo, who have formed a strong professional bond over the years, are set to bring their signature charm and dance expertise to live audiences once again.

For now, Anton is focusing on his new golf podcast while continuing his role as a judge on Strictly Come Dancing. As for Giovanni, whether he will make a return to the Strictly ballroom remains to be seen, but his recent Italian victory proves that he is still at the top of his game.

Follow us to see more useful information, as well as to give us more motivation to update more useful information for you.