Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni Pernice has nailed yet another dance title and has conquered the Italian dance show Ballando con le Stelle. It comes just months after his exit from the UK and BBC following an investigation into misconduct allegations.
Not only has Giovanni triumphed in the Italian dance competition, which is the nation's own spin on Dancing With The Stars, but he also found love with his celebrity dance partner and actress Bianca Guaccero. The former Strictly pro was partnered with Bianca for this year's series of Ballando con le Stelle, and in November, they confirmed their romance while competing on the show.
Now, the couple has marked a major milestone as they lifted the enormous Ballando con le Stelle trophy and joyfully won the competition on Saturday night (21 December). Celebrating their victory, Giovanni, 34, and Bianca, 43, didn't hold back their affection for each other as they shared a kiss while clutching the silver cup.
Other snaps from their winning night show the couple looking longingly into each other's eyes as Giovanni has his arm around Bianca's waist. Other photos show them beaming as they hold the trophy up in the air with colourful confetti scattered across the dancefloor, and another sees them sat down, posing alongside their accomplishment.
The couple have been open about their relationship during their time on the show with Giovanni previously sharing: "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." Bianca, clearly moved by his words, said: "Being someone's priority is something new for me. I have always been the one taking care of others."
She continued: "It's an amazing feeling. It's something I'm discovering at the age of forty-three. 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." The pair have dived deep into their romance, already spending time with each other's families and immersing in their different cultures across London and Italy.
In their interview during the show final, Bianca also shared: "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."
Amid this relationship, Giovanni is seemingly moving past his Strictly controversy, which followed accusations by ex-dance partner Amanda Abbington, of which six of 17 were upheld.
