Strictly’s Giovanni Pernice said social media companies need to ‘control’ trolls after death threats

Strictly Come Dancing star Giovanni Pernice has said social media companies need to do more to stop online trolling after Shirley Ballas received death threats.  

The Strictly judge, 60, has been subject to many abusive messages and online bullying during her time on the show as some fans disagreed with who she chooses to eliminate.

Last season, she received death threats over her controversial decision to send Ranvir Singh and partner Giovanni home ahead of the series finale, in favour of Jamie Laing.

In an interview with The Mirror on Tuesday, the Italian dancer, 30, said that online platforms should have more ‘control’ over these trolls as it has gotten ‘really bad’.

He said that there has to be a distinction between disagreeing with the judge’s decision and sending Shirley a message saying, ‘You have to die’. 

‘These trolls are really, really bad,’ he said. ‘The companies should do more and control that side of it.

‘I don’t understand why people at home wish to get that involved. Absolutely get sad or upset I can understand but saying to Shirley “You have to die because she didn’t save Ranvir,” that’s too much.

‘I understand you can disagree but there’s a difference between “you have to die” and “I don’t agree with your decision”.’ 

The Strictly star recently revealed he would get the Covid-19 vaccine if the BBC One show enforced a ‘No Jab, No Jive’ policy, saying that it is important for Strictly to prioritise safety to prevent putting participants at risk.  

He also revealed he has not seen his family for over a year due to cancelled flights and travel restrictions amid the pandemic.

The pro dancer, whose family are based in Sicily, said of missing his loved ones: ‘I haven’t seen my mum and dad and sister for one year… I would prefer to wait a little longer and be able to go there and give them a big hug and a kiss’.

Giovanni nearly made it to the Strictly final on the 2020 series with Good Morning Britain’s Ranvir Singh. 

He was forced to deny romance rumours with his former co-star after raising the roof with their steamy routines.

And Giovanni admitted ‘there’s absolutely no way’ he’d date Ranvir, 43, two-months after they wrapped up their stint on the BBC programme.

In a new interview, the Italian dancer confirmed he’s currently single as he insisted the pair are just ‘very, very good friends’.

Shutting down speculation that they’re dating once and for all, the choreographer said: ‘No, no, no no no. I’m single, absolutely there’s no way [he would date Ranvir]. We are very very good friends. 

‘Every time you get close in a rhumba or Argentine tango with your partner they try to make out a story. So if they think that there is a romance, it means we are doing it absolutely right.’

The hunk previously dated TOWIE star Jess Wright and Pussycat Dolls’ Ashley Roberts, while mother-of-one Ranvir divorced her husband of eight-years Ranjeet Singh Dehal in 2020.  

The couple batted away speculation on an off dancefloor relationship throughout their appearance, with Ranvir previously insisting her sizzling chemistry with Giovanni stayed on the floor, but confessed the two got very close in training.  

Reflecting on the intense rehearsals, the host said: ‘I can’t actually tell you the words he uses… he says this part needs to be here, this parts needs to be there. I said you know me better than my own GP now! 

‘It’s so funny, it is a very unusual experience to be that close to someone. The one thing I’m struggling to find is the energy. 

‘It doesn’t matter how much sleep Gio has, whether he’s eaten or not, his body is just ready… I’m just struggling to keep up.’

Asked once again if the two are dating, Ranvir declared: ‘We’re definitely not going out you can’t go out anywhere!’