Giovanni Pernice has delighted fans with news of his 'new' Strictly Come Dancing partnership for a semi final performance.
While this year's Strictly final is fast approaching, with less than two weeks to go now, Giovanni is still the reigning champion, having lifted the Glitterball trophy alongside EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis 12 months ago. Giovanni has been a big fan favourite on the BBC show since joining the ranks seven years ago, reaching the final with Georgia May Foote, Debbie McGee and Faye Tozer, before eventually tasting victory with Rose in 2021.
So it came as big surprise that he only lasted a few weeks in the competition this year with latest celebrity partner Richie Anderson. A few weeks after landing a great score for their Quickstep, Giovanni and Richie landed in the dance-off and were then sent packing by the judges, in the second elimination of the series.