Gio has always been a perfect gentleman to me... the truth will come out

Shirley backs star on bully claims

- TOM BRYANT

STRICTLY star Shirley Ballas has backed under-fire Giovanni Pernice, saying: "The truth will come out."

The judge insisted she has never seen any of the bullying he is accused of.

The professional dancer was not brought back for this year's series, despite performing on the show for nine years, and BBC bosses are investigating the allegations against him.

But Shirley, 63, said: "He has always been to me, and I will make that clear, to me, a perfect gentleman.

"My feeling for Giovanni is, let them do this investigation or whatever it is they are doing and the truth will come out. I have never ever, ever experienced any ill will or bad feeling or bad sportsmanship or rudeness from him.

"You know, I can only talk from my own perspective. I have known Giovanni for 10 years. I know he is a hard worker.