Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni Pernice has been spotted visiting casinos as the fall out from his departure from the ratings topping Saturday night show continues. The Italian dancer wore a t-shirt celebrating his home country and a pair of Adidas tracksuit bottoms as he paid a visit to two gambling establishements before midday.

He spotted visiting Silver Time Casino at 9:45am before leaving just under an hour later at 10:43am. From there he headed to Admiral Casino and Slots where he remained until around midday. He was later spotted sating his hunger with a pastry he purchased at Paul Bakery.

Express.co.uk has contacted representatives for Giovanni Pernice for comment.

This is his first public appearance since Strictly judge Shirley Ballas defended him and claimed things were ‘blown out of proportion’ following his shock exit from the BBC show amid a workplace ‘misconduct’ probe. While at Chorleywood Memorial Hall, Hertfordshire, promoting her latest book Murder on the Dancefloor, Ballas commented: “I know he is a hard worker. He wants the people to do the very best that they can do. 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.”

She continued, advocating for patience until the investigation concludes: “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.”