Giovanni Pernice is reported to be at the centre of a Strictly Come Dancing ‘favouritism’ row, over who he’s been partnered with this year.
Having made the final with Faye Tozer in 2018 and narrowly missed out in 2020, when he reached the semis with Ranvir Singh, Italian pro Giovanni finally clinched the Glitterball alongside EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis last year, with the two dazzling viewers and the judges alike from the get-go in the ballroom.
And, now with just weeks to go until the star of Strictly’ s new series, Giovanni is rumoured to have been paired with The One Show’s Richie Anderson, in only the BBC programme’s second all-male couple ever. John Whaite and Johannes Radebe made it all the way to the final last year and sources are claiming that the opinion is that Giovanni being partnered with Richie has ‘guaranteed’ him a shot at victory, which hasn’t gone down too well with the other dancers on the show.
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An insider told The Sun: “The last two same sex couples have done really well and the feeling is that whoever gets Richie could go all the way and win.
“Winning two on the bounce would be great for Gio — but not all of his colleagues feel the same way.”
Strictly Come Dancing’s first same sex couple arrived in 2020, but, after starting strongly, boxer Nicola Adams and her pro partner Katya Jones had to withdraw from the competition after Katya caught Covid.
Other stars on the Strictly line-up for 2022, include music legend Matt Goss, actors Will Mellor, James Bye and Kym Marsh and early bookies favourite, singer and former X Factor finalist Fleur East.
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