Giovanni Pernice rushed to thank fans after opening his solo tour on Wednesday night, with the very public backing of Strictly Come Dancing co-star Gorka Marquez.
Given that he won Strictly in 2021, alongside EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis, it was expected that Giovanni would be a serious contender in the latest series of the BBC show; however, things didn't go quite as many viewers predicted, when the former champion exited the ballroom after just a few weeks, with him and celebrity partner Richie Anderson the second couple to get their marching orders.
Fans assumed that, despite Giovanni's early exit upset, they would still get to see him on the new Strictly live tour, so were left gutted when the line-up was confirmed in December and his name wasn't on it. Like Giovanni, Gorka too will be absent from the tour, which will travel around the country from this weekend.
READ MORE: Strictly's Gorka Marquez gives two word reaction as Helen Skelton seen with new partner
And he had a message for his friend and co-star on Wednesday, as Giovanni prepared to kick off his own tour, Made in Italy in Hayes. Hours before curtain up, Gorka headed to Instagram to post: "Good luck to my brother and the rest of the cast on opening night," with Giovanni sharing the message on his Insta story.
Then on Wednesday night, Giovanni uploaded a photo of him standing in front of his packed first night audience, thanking all of the fans who came along.
Giovanni is joined on his Made in Italy tour y another Strictly star, Lauren Oakley. While she is yet to have a celebrity partner on the show, Lauren was been seen on screen in group numbers over the course of the last series.
*Strictly's Kai Widdrington starts tour rehearsals after replacing co-star in partner 'twist'
*Strictly's Helen Skelton starts tour rehearsals as Gorka Marquez absence upsets fans
*Lulu at centre of Masked Singer voting row after early exit
*Giovanni Pernice recruits Strictly co-star for his own tour
*Vera new series guest stars confirmed as Holby City legend and Game of Thrones star join cast
