Strictly professional Giovanni Pernice has sent "love" to one of his co-stars after reflecting on his "difficult" move to the UK. The Italian heartthrob swapped his stunning home country for gloomy London eight years ago, and has been a fan favourite amongst Strictly viewers ever since.
Since dancing onto the famous BBC ballroom for the very first time in 2015, the Guinness World Record holder has reached the final four times, first doing so in his first series, in which he was partnered with ex-EastEnders actress Georgia May Foote. He was also very close to reaching the top spot in 2017 and 2018 with partners, TV personality Debbie McGee and Steps singer Faye Tozer, respectively, The Mirror reports.
But Giovanni finally had his moment in 2021, when he lifted the famous glitterball trophy with soap star Rose Ayling-Ellis after moving the crowd to tears with their partially-silent routine, which reflected what life was like for Rose, the first deaf contestant in the show's history. Taking the time to thank fans for their support over the course of his eight-year glitzy career on Strictly.
