Giovanni Pernice has confirmed his romance with Ballando con le Stelle co-star Bianca Guaccero after the pair met on the Italian version of Strictly Come Dancing.

Giovanni Pernice has publicly declared his relationship with fellow star Bianca Guaccero. The 34 year old dancer, who made a departure from BBC Strictly to join ‘Ballando con le Stelle’, was teamed up with the 43 year old actress and singer on the Italian show.

Their closeness was unmistakable, as Giovanni openly expressed his affection during their introduction in the latest episode, saying: “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.”

An emotional Bianca replied: “Being someone’s priority is something new for me. I have always been the one taking care of others.”

She enthused: “It’s an amazing feeling. It’s something I’m discovering at the age of 43. Having someone next to me who is proud of me and is happy for my happiness is something new to me. This has never happened to me in my life.”

Giovanni Pernice has publicly declared his relationship with fellow star Bianca Guaccero (Image: Instagram/ @giovannipernice)

In a touching conversation with TV host Monica Setta, Bianca conveyed a profound promise, resolving to confront her hesitations for the sake of their partnership: “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,” reports the Mirror.

Giovanni has already taken significant steps with his new partner as they’ve met each other’s families and visited their hometowns in London and Italy, reports the Mirror. Bianca said: “I had a heavy stone on my heart, I had difficulty believing in true love.

“When I met Giovanni I felt at home and I was in London with him and then 24 hours with my parents. I wanted to introduce him to the country and the people I love.”

Against this backdrop of blossoming romance, Giovanni’s journey has been far from smooth following his dramatic exit from Strictly, stoked by allegations from his former dance partner Amanda Abbington.

Although a BBC internal investigation vindicated him, rumours about his demanding training methods surfaced from other past partners.

However, eagerness for his return simmered amongst his supporters after his name was cleared.

Strictly chiefs seem eager for Giovanni to remain central to an upcoming BBC special show due to broadcast on December 21.

The revelations emerge as Giovanni is reminisced not only as a regular star on the show but as a Bafta winner for a ‘Memorable Moment’, sharing an unforgettable silent dance with deaf actress Rose Ayling-Ellis to Clean Bandit’s Symphony in 2021, an epitome of the inclusive spirit championed by Strictly.

A BBC source revealed: “Given his impact, particularly for the Bafta win – which was voted for by the public – it is only the obtuse who would think that Giovanni should not be included in the 20th-year reflections in some form. Giovanni has made an immense impact on Strictly and will absolutely not be erased from Strictly Come Dancing’s history.”

The insider continued: “What he and Rose did was incredible, and just because Amanda has come along and made allegations, many of which were not upheld, does not change that. Strictly’s bosses love Gio, they feel strongly about what happened, and they see it as only right that he is celebrated.

“Amanda may have met with the BBC recently, when she aired her views about Giovanni and the show, but Strictly still adores Gio and its bosses know that viewers will be thrilled to see him back.”