Giovanni Pernice is set to reunite with his former Strictly Come Dancing colleagues - a year on from his departure amid bullying allegations.
The professional dancer will join Anton Du Beke, Aljaž Škorjanec, Janette Manrara, Gorka Marquez, Kai Widdrington, Lauren Oakley and Karen Hauer across two days at a Strictly-inspired event titled Dancing with the Stars. This comes after one pro from the show recently shared an update on their career.
Taking place at Celtic Manor Resort Hotel and Spa in Newport and De Vere Beaumont Estate in Old Windsor, the gatherings are independent of the BBC.
Typically, the corporation enforces stringent guidelines preventing stars associated with the programme from participating in external ventures connected to the popular series.
However, current Strictly professionals are understood to have received approval from the official BBC show's producers to appear at the July event, according to The Mirror.
Attendees can expect "three days of spectacular dance showcases as the Stars perform up close and personal for a truly intimate experience unlike any other - learn to dance with them, plus hear all about their fabulous journeys."
The promotional material pledges: "If you love Strictly, this is your Ultimate 5* Weekend Break."
Giovanni's involvement demonstrates his continued bond with the current cast, whilst reinforcing his status as a beloved figure amongst fans.
The dancer faced accusations of bullying from his partner Amanda Abbington, with a subsequent BBC internal inquiry upholding six out of 17 complaints against him, though claims of physical aggression were dismissed.
Giovanni previously revealed the devastating impact of the allegations on his personal life, stating: "Nobody wanted to be seen with me."
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On the opening night of his tour, he shared his experience of being ostracised, which left him heartbroken.
"I felt like the world collapsed....I didn't have anybody around me," he confessed. "All the people that were supposed to be my friend disappeared."
He described feeling isolated, adding: "Nobody wanted to see me, they were like 'oh you can't be with him'. Before the allegations, Gio said he felt "like I was on the top of my game."
He recalls: "I was untouchable, was a superhero....but fate did have different plans for me." However, he managed to navigate through this challenging period by maintaining a positive outlook.
Giovanni added: "I always had a voice in my head, saying 'don't worry....we know that all of this is going to finish. One day you'll be back on top and you will feel again."
The 34-year-old Italian professional has consistently maintained that he was simply a "strict teacher" and not a bully towards the Sherlock star.
He clarified at the end of last year: "Bully is a big word and there's a difference between being a bully and caring about what you do.
"I'm glad 11 allegations have been thrown out. At the beginning there were very serious allegations, for instance threatening her or abusing her, and all of this has been taken out. 'm a strict teacher. I said it myself. I care about my job. I'm very competitive."