Giovanni Pernice and Strictly co-star reveal close bond after fourth star comes forward ahead of ‘talks about future’
GIOVANNI Pernice’s future on BBC Strictly remains uncertain as four female celebrities have now come forward with complaints.
But his former partner Rose Ayling-Ellis, 29, with whom he won the show in 2021, has no such grievances and continues to be a committed friend to the Italian dance professional.
Strictly star Giovanni posted three love hearts under a photo of Rose on social media, in a heartfelt symbol of their unbreakable bond.
The pair lifted the glitterball after creating one of the show’s most memorable moments when they danced without music to raise awareness for the deaf community.
Speaking on The One Show, earlier this year, Giovanni explained how his friendship with the former EastEnder star has left a lasting impression.
He said: “Rose not only changed my life, she changed lots of lives. What she achieved was great, raising awareness for the deaf community. “I think it’s really important to be more inclusive. I think we should all try to be more inclusive really.”
This week Giovanni will hold crunch talks with the BBC to discuss his future on the dance show.
The news comes after a fourth celebrity partner was left in tears after a run in with the star backstage on the spin off show, IT Takes Two.
A BBC source claims that pop star Faye Tozer , 48, broke down backstage after struggling with the punishing rehearsal regime of Sicilian star, Giovanni.
Faye’s struggle comes after three of Giovanni’s celebrity partners — Amanda Abbington, Ranvir Singh and Laura Whitmore — met in February to “compare notes” about his behaviour behind the scenes.
But the popular star is being backed by the BBC and is expected to be returning to the show in the autumn.
A source said: “Giovanni has a meeting with Strictly on Thursday about his return later this year.