Giovanni Pernice was seen being batted off by his dance partner, Francesca Fialdini, on the Italian version of Strictly.
The professional dancer, 35, and the television presenter, 46, are competing in Ballando con le Stelle and shared a strained exchange that was captured on camera.
Pernice - who left Strictly Come Dancing after Amanda Abbington’s bullying allegations - was seen squeezing Fialdini’s waist following their performance to Queen's The Show Must Go On.
Fialdini quickly took his hand and moved it away, prompting him to place it on her shoulder and say, “Oh, you’re hurting there too?” in reference to her injured foot.
The awkward moment was captured in a video Pernice shared on Instagram earlier this week.
It echoed a similar exchange from last year’s Strictly that went viral, showing Katya Jones moving Wynne Evans’ hand away from her waist and ignoring his attempt to high-five her.
The pair insisted at the time that they were “just messing around” and that the moment was a “silly joke”.
Jones also claimed the opera singer had been “portrayed as someone he is not”.
Pernice joined Ballando con le Stelle last year and won the series with his dance partner, singer and actress Bianca Guaccero. They began dating during the show.
His TV comeback came after he left Strictly Come Dancing following his former celebrity partner Abbington’s claims about his behaviour.
The Sherlock actress, 51, left the BBC dance competition halfway through the 2023 series for “personal reasons” and last July she accused Pernice of “unnecessary, cruel and mean behaviour”.
Her statement read: “I couldn't sit back and let him do that to other people. I had to think long and hard about making a complaint because I knew the backlash I would get.
“But I would not have been able to live with myself for future people going on that show.
“I know what happened in that room, it's on video and I have no problem with anyone seeing that. It's a duty of care that is needed.
“Rehearsal rooms should be a safe space, there is a duty of care and kindness, and that courtesy wasn't extended to me on this job. I was being as amenable as possible and it wasn’t being reciprocated, that's all.”
Pernice vehemently denied her claims, writing on Instagram: “To my dear fans, you will be as surprised as I am that allegations have been made about my dance teaching methods in the media this week.
“Of course, I reject any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour, and I look forward to clearing my name.”
A BBC investigation ruled last September that her accusations of physical aggression and threatening behaviour were not upheld.
However, allegations of verbal bullying and harassment were upheld, prompting the BBC to issue an apology to Abbington.
Major adjustments have been made to Strictly Come Dancing's procedures since the BBC review.
Celebrities and professional dancers now have chaperones throughout the show's rehearsals and the BBC has revised its duty of care procedures.
