Strictly star Giovanni Pernice addresses exit rumours

He's set the record straight...

By Emma Tinson

13 Oct 2022

Strictly Come Dancing viewers were left gutted over the weekend when fan favourite Giovanni Pernice was booted out of the competition alongside his celebrity dance partner Richie Anderson.

Ever since, rumours have begun circulating about Giovanni’s future on the show, with some expressing concerns that he could quit his role as a Strictly professional following his early exit this season.

However, after spotting reports in the press suggesting he’d threatened to walk away from the show, Giovanni took to social media to set the record straight.

giovanni pernice and richie anderson on strictly come dancing, week 3

BBC

Sharing a post on his Instagram Stories, the dance star insisted: "I’m not going anywhere!"

Speaking to Digital Spy, a representative for Giovanni also addressed the Strictly rumours.

"Gio is NOT leaving the show – he’s not going anywhere! He looks forward to more years dancing," his representative confirmed.

BBC

Giovanni first joined the Strictly team back in 2015 and got off to a good start with his first season, finishing in second place with Coronation Street actress Georgia May Foote.

However, his most successful year was 2021 when he was crowned Strictly champion and lifted the famous Glitterball Trophy with EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis.

Unfortunately, Giovanni didn’t fare so well this time round, as he found himself in the dreaded dance-off in Movie Week after performing a Samba to The Lion King’s 'Hakuna Matata'.

strictly come dancing 2022,09 10 2022,tx3 results show,tx3,tess daly, richie anderson giovanni pernice,results show
embargoed until 2000hrs, sunday 9th oct,bbc,guy levy

Guy LevyBBC

After going head-to-head with X Factor star Fleur East and her partner Vito Coppola, Giovanni and Richie struggled to impress the panel of judges with Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke all choosing to send them home.

"I have to say it's been an honour to be able to dance with you because I know how much you love Strictly Come Dancing, you really are a superfan," Giovanni told Richie, following their elimination.

"And I'm glad that you got to do this experience and glad that I got to do it with you."

Strictly Come Dancing airs on Saturdays and Sundays on BBC One, while spin-off show Strictly: It Takes Two airs on weeknights on BBC Two. Both shows also stream on BBC iPlayer.

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