Strictly Come Dancing stars Giovanni Pernice and Richie Anderson are 'failing to hit their partnership sweet spot'.
Body language expert Judi James has given her verdict on the very public denial of a 'feud' between the professional dancer and his partner during an appearance on Strictly: It Takes Two. Giovanni turned to the camera and made a staunch denial of any rumoured feud between the pair - but Judi says there is still much to note about the pair.
Judi says there is still a lack of chemistry between the dancing duo as they prepare to dance their second routine this weekend. One unlucky Strictly couple will leave the show on Sunday night, the first exit of the series.
"It’s rare to the point of unique for a Strictly pro to make such a dramatic and emphatic denial of any rift with his celeb partner when the show is only in its first week. The problem for Giovanni is that, despite his sturdy denial that involved him finding and then staring down the camera lens to perform, the body language between them does seem to suggest that they haven’t yet hit their ‘sweet spot’ in terms of synchronicity, chemistry and visual rapport as a dance duo," Judi revealed.
"Their body language was equally contrasting, with Richie’s knees splayed in a gesture of keen confidence, his hands hanging loosely between them and a big grin on his face," she said of the contrast between the pair, adding: "Giovanni, in contrast, sat with his feet shoved beneath his seat and his hands clasped, looking more subdued."
Judi believes the 'Rose factor', relating to Giovanni and Rose Ayling-Ellis' close friendship on the last series, is partly to blame too.
"Of course there is the Rose factor. Watching Rose and Giovanni's body language charisma together was as thrilling as watching them dance. Nobody expects Giovanni to achieve that level of rapport with Richie in one week but he does need to see the air of rapport ‘work in progress’ that we are seeing from the off the dance floor body language currently," she explained.
During their appearance on It Takes Two yesterday, Giovanni turned to the camera and insisted the pair were fine.
"We are having a good, we're definitely having a good time. Obviously it's a dance competition at the end of the day so we have to learn something," he said in a defiant message, "But there is no problem. Where is the camera? There is no problem between us, we are having a good time. So forget about what you are writing, it's not true."
