Strictly Come Dancing star Gorka Marquez has opened up on Giovanni Pernice not returning to the series amid the ongoing investigation into his "militant" training techniques according to Amanda Abbington and three others.
The official Strictly Instagram account confirmed that Pernice would not be returning to the series this year after he was left off the official line-up announcement.
The 33-year-old has vehemently denied the allegations and vowed to clear his name - despite Abbington claiming that the star is "nasty" and purposefully stamping on her foot during their time together.
It has also been reported that BBC executives are keen to silence the drama ahead of the show's upcoming 20th-anniversary celebrations, with a source telling The Sun: "A lot of work has gone into it as it's the 20th anniversary, and now - still - all anyone talks about is Giovanni.
"Bosses hope gagging the cast will help. It will require some fancy footwork, but the cast have all been trained on how to handle questioning and politely sidestep difficult topics."
However, longest-serving male professional dancer Marquez recently touched on Pernice's exit and noted: "It’s like when Anton Du Beke decided to go do the jazz role, everybody is missed, everybody is a big part of the show when they leave or change their careers. It’s sad for everybody."
Lauren has continued to publicly support her friend
When asked if he was still in touch with the Latin and Ballroom dancer, the Spanish pro told Good Morning Britain: "Yeah, sometimes we speak, obviously he’s busy, he’s on tour with Anton [Du Beke]."
The outcome of the BBC investigation remains undecided for now.
Despite the "ban" to stay clear of speaking on the saga - which recently included an awkward interview from Dianne Buswell and Vito Coppola on ITV - some of Pernice's colleagues have publicly shown their support for the star including Lauren Oakley - who is returning to the show.
She previously accompanied Pernice on his solo tour earlier this year, and recently attended his latest tour with Du Beke on Monday night, taking to her Instagram to show her support for the dancers.
Shirley also backed the star and noted her is a "hard worker"
BBC
Reposting a snap of the programme from the event on her Instagram page, the caption read: "Shine beauties shine," adding a series of love heart emojis to the post.
Oakley isn't the only one who has shown support for the dancer, as judge and friend Shirley Ballas branded Pernice as a "hard worker" whilst promoting her new book, Murder on the Dancefloor.
She told The Mirror: "I know he is a hard worker. He wants the people to do the very best that they can. Obviously, in my life, I was bullied a lot.
"I don't condone bullying on any path but also I don't believe gossip and what you read in the newspapers because things get escalated and they are blown way out of all proportion and it can turn into a great big snowball.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
- Coronation Street star fearful devastating diagnosis could end career: 'I was embarrassed for years'
- GB News triple win! Nigel Farage crowned Best News presenter for second year in a row amid three award victories
- GB News Breakfast sees off BBC and ITV GMB to win Best News Show at this year's TRIC Awards
Giovanni will not be returning to the show due to Amanda's claims
BBC
"So my feeling for Giovanni is, let them do this investigation or whatever it is they are doing and the truth will come out. So we don’t judge anybody until I know absolutely 100 per cent. I won’t pass on the gossip unless I know 100 per cent it is true.
"I have never ever, ever experienced any ill will or bad feeling or bad sportsmanship or rudeness from him. He will be missed."