BBC bosses are coming under increasing pressure over the speculation that Giovanni Pernice is plotting a sensational return to Strictly.
The Italian dancer, 34, quit the BBC One programme after former celeb-partner Amanda Abbington, 50, complained about his behaviour.
A probe later upheld some of her claims - including allegations of bullying - but dismissed others.
It led to both parties claiming “victory”, and Giovanni later defiantly said he could even return to the show which is celebrating its 20th anniversary.
Speaking on ITV’s Lorraine earlier this year, he replied “never say never” when asked if he saw a way back on the programme.
Now, The Sun Online has learned that this has left BBC executives under mounting pressure to make a final decision, with one insider saying his chances of ever being invited back are “very, very slim”.
A source said: “Giovanni has made it obvious he’d love to return to Strictly one day. He maintains he did nothing wrong and he misses being a part of the programme.
"He’s done well on the Italian version. But it’s nothing compared to the UK one.
“However the chances of Gio ever being invited back are very, very slim.
“He’s still got friends and supporters within Strictly. But the BBC are keen to move into 2025 by drawing a line under the scandals of the past.
“They’ve had the Huw Edwards scandal, the Strictly row and now the Gregg Wallace furore.
"Bringing back Giovanni just risks opening up a can of worms, not least from Amanda who remains very, very upset at how the whole thing was handled by the BBC.
"If they invited Giovanni back it risks sparking a whole new raft of complaints from her side.
“The pressure is therefore really growing on the BBC to just say one way or another what’s happening.
"That way everyone can move on without a big question mark hanging over the whole will he, won’t he saga.”
While it's unlikely he'll be back on Strictly, Gio will be returning to British telly, as a contestant on new Channel 4 show, Celebrity Hunted, alongside fellow pro dancer Kai Widdrington.
The series, which was filmed by Channel 4 in aid of Stand up To Cancer, will see the former co-stars attempt to outrun an elite team of Hunters alongside five other pairs of famous faces.
Although it was filmed last year, the series will air in January.
The celebrities taking part include: Blue’s Duncan James teamed up Christine McGuinness, Loose Women’s Denise Welch with husband Lincoln Townley.
Celebrity Big Brother’s Zeze Millz and podcaster David Whitely.
Also EastEnders star Danielle Harold and Corrie’s Kimberley Hart Simpson and news anchors Simon McCoy and Lucrezia Millarini.
