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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Entertainment
Simon Duke & Mia O'Hare

BBC Strictly Come Dancing reigning champion Giovanni Pernice publicly backs one star for the win

The reigning Strictly Come Dancing winner Giovanni Pernice has publicly backed one star to win this year's series. The pro dancer has given a clear show of support to Gorka Marquez on Instagram.

Giovanni won the BBC dancing show in 2021 when he paired with EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis. The pair captivated the judges and viewers week after week.

Chronicle Live reports Giovanni had a brief stint on this series of Strictly having been eliminated second. Since then, he has appeared in group numbers and danced with Katya Jones to Lewis Capaldi's performance in the semi-final results show.

Read more: Strictly Come Dancing bosses make changes to show after Solihull lake tragedy

Giovanni has been very clear on who he is supporting to follow in his footsteps at the weekend. He sent a very public message to friend and fellow pro Gorka on Instagram.

After he and celeb partner Helen Skelton made it through to the final, Gorka took to his account to write: "The only thing I can say is THANK YOU for getting us to the final, for your constant messages and support and for making this adventure what it is. One more week…let’s make it the best one yet! and hopefully we can make you all proud."

Giovanni was swift to respond to the post, replying with a telling remark as he told Gorka: "Come on brother!!! Come on !!!" Gorka has made the final three times before, firstly with Alexandra Burke in 2017, then with Ashley Roberts a year later and Maisie Smith in 2020.

He and the On the Farm presenter are currently second favourites to take home the Glitterball trophy, behind long time frontrunners Hamza and Jowita.

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