Giovanni Pernice was overcome with emotion as he was reunited with his father after 10 years in the final episode of Anton & Giovanni’s Adventures in Sicily.
The Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer, 32, has been giving Anton Du Beke an inside look at his culture and where he grew up in Sicily as a child in the three-part BBC travel series.
In the final instalment, Pernice could not hold back his tears when his family threw a surprise birthday party for him and he enjoyed a tender moment with his father.
It meant a lot to Pernice as he had been unable to spend a birthday with his father for 10 years due to his life and career in the UK.
Talking away from the other guests, Pernice told his father: “Thank you so much for organising this surprise, it’s great to spend it together after 10 years!”
Full of praise for his son, Pernice Senior replied: “You deserve this and much much more. You have given up immense joy.
“We thank you all, your mother, Angela, Pieruccio, and your grandfather who always watches the show.
“You have given us moments of great joy and when you won Strictly Come Dancing it was exceptional, you were great! I am proud of you, my son.”
The two men then hugged it out.
Reflecting on the exchange afterwards, Pernice told the camera: “Dad is very proud of me.
“He said that he is grateful for what I have done for him, for the family. The fact that after all this time I am able to help my family.
“To make my family happy is the most beautiful thing that a boy, a man now, can ask. My dad is not a person that gives away his feelings.
“What he just said to me means more than anything in the world, so I am very very happy, it is one of the most beautiful and happy days of my life.”
