Giovanni Pernice is set to feature in the upcoming Strictly Come Dancing 20th anniversary special.

The beloved BBC program has been plagued by scandal over the last year, following allegations against Pernice, 34, by her former dance partner Amanda Abbington, who left Strictly on last year after five weeks.

The network recently released the findings of a months-long investigation into his conduct on the show and apologized to Sherlock actress Abbington, 53, while upholding some of her complaints and exonerating the professional dancer Italian of the most serious allegations.

The review of Abington’s complaints about his Strictly Professional dance partner was launched earlier this year, and Pernice, who is not part of this year’s Strictly Professional dance line-up and has since joined a dance show Italian, had previously rejected “any allegation of threats or abusive behavior”.

Since then, it has been rumored that Pernice could appear in films like I’m A Celebrity and Celebrity Hunted.

It’s now claimed he could also make an appearance in Strictly’s one-off special, marking the huge anniversary.

The episode is set to air in December, and claims it will include “iconic performances and familiar faces past and present”, which could include footage of Pernice’s 2021 performance with Rose Ayling-Ellis.

The former Strictly duo won the competition that year and a Bafta for their silent dancing.

A source told The Sun: “Giovanni made history when he won with Rose, so footage of their quiet, emotional performance is expected to be shown.”

The BBC is yet to confirm or deny whether Pernice could appear in person, as speculation continues to swirl, with a spokesperson telling the publication: “Editorial decisions on what the final show will include have not yet been made. not yet finalized.”

It comes after Pernice declared “I’m back baby” when announcing her 2025 UK tour.

He also makes a big return with Strictly judge Anton Du Beke, as they hit the road for their 2025 Together Again tour, which kicks off in June.

In his previous response to the findings of the BBC investigation, Pernice recently said in an Instagram post that he was “happy” to have been cleared of serious allegations after a “difficult” few months.

He said in a video to fans: “Six months, seven months of all this, seven months of reading daily things in the paper and not being able to respond because I wanted to keep the criticism confidential and private, it was a difficult time.

“It was difficult because reading stuff that wasn’t true wasn’t the most enjoyable time of my life, let’s be honest.

“But today I am happy because in the beginning there were some very, very serious allegations leveled against me, but to date none of those serious allegations have been sustained.”

He continued: “I have to be honest with all of you, because without your love, your messages, your support, your constant support, I don’t know if I would be able to deliver this message now.”

“I am happy because today I can continue doing what I was born to do and I love doing what is entertaining all of you.

‘This is my life, this is what I do, so I’m always grateful to you all and I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart, and say I love you all and always, always thank you.’

Metro.co.uk has contacted the BBC and Giovanni Pernice’s representative for comment.

Strictly Come Dancing continues tonight at 7.15pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

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