Strictly Come Dancing pro Giovanni Pernice has landed another high profile job away from the ballroom, after claims that other dancers on the show have been left 'jealous' by his choice of celeb partner for the new series.
After reaching the final with Steps star Faye Tozer three years earlier, Italian dancer Giovanni finally took home the Glitterball trophy at the end of 2021, after millions of viewers fell in love his partnership with EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis. The couple delighted fans and the judges week in week out, with their touching Couples Choice routine, which saw them dance to 10 seconds of complete silence, going down in Strictly history.
While his co-stars Oti Mabuse and Aljaž Škorjanec have quit the show, Giovanni will be back for the new series, with reports suggesting he will form an all-male partnership with The One Show and Radio 2 presenter Richie Anderson, a move that is said to have ruffled feathers behind the scenes.
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But, while viewers wait to find out if Giovanni is indeed pair with Richie this year, there was more exciting news involving the champion pro as he has been confirmed to appear on the upcoming series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK. The British take on the worldwide phenomenon has been a huge hit since launching in 2019 and now Drag Race devotees are counting the days to its return for a fourth season.
Giovanni has been announced as a special guest, along with other stars like Alison Hammond, Boy George and Joanna Lumley. He's not the only Strictly star involved either as host Tess Daly will also appear, along with AJ Odudu, who was left heartbroken at having to pull out of last year's final due to injury.
On the subject of him potentially being in Strictly's same-sex couple for this year, a source told The Sun : "Some of Gio’s fellow pros have raised eyebrows about chat of him getting Richie.
“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 it. Winning two on the bounce would be great for Gio - but not all of his colleagues feel the same way.”
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