Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni Pernice has confirmed his romance with Italian dance partner Bianca Guaccero on Italy’s version of the hit show, Ballando con le Stelle.
The 34-year-old dancer made the emotional declaration during Saturday’s episode, stating: “Bianca is my priority. She has been my priority from the beginning.
“She is still my priority today and will be until the end of the show and beyond.”
Guaccero, 43, an Italian actress and TV presenter, responded with equal sentiment, revealing: “Being someone’s priority is something new for me. I have always been the one taking care of others.”
The television star added: “Having someone next to me who is proud of me and is happy for my happiness is something new to me. This had never happened to me in my life.”
In an upcoming interview set to air on December 21, Guaccero made a heartfelt promise to her new partner, saying: “Dear Giovanni, I promise you to leave out all my fears, doubts and closures.
“The symbolic gift I put under the Christmas tree is to believe in our possibilities.”
The couple have been getting to know each other’s families, with Guaccero visiting Pernice in London and the dancer meeting her relatives in Bitonto, Southern Italy.
“I had a heavy stone on my heart, I had difficulty believing in true love,” Guaccero revealed. “When I met Giovanni I felt at home and I was in London with him and then 24 hours with my parents.”
She added: “I wanted to introduce him to the country and the people I love.”
The pair have impressed viewers with their performances on Ballando con le Stelle, receiving a standing ovation for their recent boogie routine.
Pernice’s new romance comes after his departure from BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing following serious allegations from his former dance partner Amanda Abbington.
Despite being cleared of the most serious allegations after a BBC internal investigation, Pernice faced scrutiny over claims about his demanding approach during rehearsals.
The BBC has reportedly upheld Abbington’s complaints of verbal bullying and harassment, though allegations of physical aggression were rejected.
The dancer notably won a BAFTA for his memorable silent performance with Rose Ayling-Ellis in 2021.
Prior to his new romance, Pernice has been linked to several high-profile personalities in the entertainment industry.
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He previously dated fellow Strictly professional Jowita Przystał, who won the 2022 series with Hamza Yassin.
The dancer also had a four-month relationship with Love Island star Maura Higgins, which ended in October 2021.
His dating history includes relationships with Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts and TOWIE star Jess Wright, with rumours once linking him to Tasha Ghouri.
On Ballando con le Stelle, Pernice and Guaccero have been praised for their technical prowess, though some judges have called for more excitement in their routines.
Judge Selvaggia Lucarelli noted: “From a technical perspective, this dance was flawless, but I did not like what I saw. It was done well, but it was boring.”
However, judge Carolyn Smith praised their recent performance as being “at the level of a professional couple.”