Giovanni Pernice has softened the blow to fans left gutted that he won't be on the Strictly Come Dancing live tour this time round, by giving them a backstage insight into how things are going on his own show.
Giovanni, Strictly champion in 2021 alongside EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis, made a much earlier than expected exit from the latest series, when and celeb partner, One Show presenter Richie Anderson, were the second couple to be sent packing from the ballroom. Other than appearing in group numbers and dancing with Katya Jones to a performance from Lewis Capaldi, Giovanni flew largely under the radar from the rest of the series, before he and Richie were reunited for a Class of 2022 medley in the final.
Having not seen too much of him this year, Strictly viewers were then left upset when the live tour line-up was confirmed in full and Giovanni's name wasn't on it. With Gorka Marquez also absent from the tour, some fans branded it 'pointless' given their two favourite pros wouldn't be involved in it.
But, while Gorka, who will see his partner Helen Skelton instead dance with Kai Widdrington, has yet to give a reason as to why he won't be on the tour; Giovanni will be kept busy by his own tour, with Made in Italy kicking off in Hayes on January 16.
And, while a lot of us are still barely moving from the sofa after overindulging at Christmas, Giovanni is now getting stuck into tour rehearsals, Posting a video on his Instagram story on Thursday morning, Gio confirmed he was in the dance studio for 'day two of rehearsals' before panning the camera round to show his followers some of the performers he'll be going on the road with, sharing footage of them doing vocal warm ups.
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