Strictly’s Giovanni Pernice ‘spending Christmas’ with Ashley Roberts and snubs family do

Giovanni Pernice & Ashley Roberts

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This year's Strictly Come Dancing seemed to have more romantic entanglements than ever before

There was, of course, the Seann Walsh/Katya Jones kissing scandal, and there was also the blossoming frisson between Joe Sugg and his partner Dianne Buswell, who have since gone public with their relationship.

The other rumoured couple from this year was Giovanni Pernice and Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts, who were partnered with Steps' Faye Tozer and Pasha Kovalev respectively. Whilst both were in the final, the 2018 Glitterball Trophy was taken in the end by journalist Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton - who finally won the show after five years in the final.

CHECK OUT all Strictly Come Dancing winners from the start

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Strictly Come Dancing Winners - slider

Natasha Kaplinsky1 of 16
CREDIT: BBC and Getty Images

Series 1 winner – Natasha Kaplinsky

Natasha was our first EVER Strictly winner. The television presenter graced our screens in 2004 alongside her dancing partner Brendan Cole.She won the show dancing the Quickstep (36 points), the Samba (31 points) and the Showdance (35 points).Natasha has since returned to presenting and you can see her on ITV news.

Jill Halfpenny2 of 16
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Series 2 – Jill Halfpenny

Actress Jill won series two with her dancing partner Darren Bennett. She took the crown from Natasha dancing the Foxtrot (34 points) and the Jive (40 points).The actress who has previously starred in EastEnders, Coronation Street and Waterloo Road.

Darren Gough3 of 16
CREDIT: BBC and Getty Images

Series 3 – Darren Gough

In 2005 Darren became the first man to win Strictly.He won the show dancing the Foxtrot (36 points) and the Paso Doble (36 points) alongside his partner Lilia Kopylova.Darren and Lilia also won the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special in 2005.He retired from cricket in 2008 and has since been presenting a radio show on talkSPORT.

Mark Ramprakash4 of 16
CREDIT: BBC and Getty Images

Mark Ramprakash

Mark won the BBC show back in 2006.With his professional partner Karen Hardy they won the show dancing the Tango (34 points), the Salsa (40 points) and the Samba (36 points).Mark is now the England cricket team's batting coach.

Alesha Dixon5 of 16
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Series 5 – Alesha Dixon

Alesha Dixon won series five of the show in 2007.The singer won the BBC show dancing the Waltz (39 points), the Cha Cha Cha (38 points) and the Jive (35 points) alongside her partner Matthew Cutler.Alesha later became a judge on the show during series seven, eight and nine.She has continued making music and if you watch ITV's Britain's Got Talent then you'll see her as a judge on there.

Tom Chambers6 of 16
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Series 6 – Tom Chambers

Back in 2008, viewers saw Tom win the glitterball trophy.Alongside his partner Camilla Dallerup he won the show dancing the Foxtrot (35 points) and the Salsa (38 points).Since winning the show, Tom has continued acting.

Chris Hollins7 of 16
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Series 7 – Chris Hollins

The news presenter won the show in 2009 during the seventh series.Alongside his partner Ola Jordan, Chris won the show dancing the Foxtrot (46 points), the Charleston (50 points), the Lindy Hop (44 points) and the Showdance (46 points).Chris has continued presenting and recently co-presented the TV show, Secret Britain.

Kara Tointon8 of 16
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Series 8 – Kara Tointon

The former EastEnders actress won series eight of Strictly in 2010.Kara won the show dancing the Rumba (39 points), the Showdance (36 points), the Waltz (38 points) and the American Smooth (37 points) with her partner Artem Chigvintsev.After three years of dating her dance partner Artem the pair split. The former EastEnders actress has continued acting and earlier this year after announcing she's engaged, the TV star left everyone wondering whether she's pregnant after she was pictured 'cradling' her belly.

Harry Judd9 of 16
CREDIT: BBC and Getty Images

Series 9 – Harry Judd

The McFly drummer won series ten of the BBC show in 2012 with his partner Aliona Vilani.He danced the Quickstep (40 points), the Showdance (37 points), American Smooth (39 points) and the Tango (40 points) in the final.Harry has since returned to the band McFly and is now a dad to Lola and Kit with his wife Izzy.

Louis Smith10 of 16
CREDIT: BBC and Getty Images

Series 10 – Louis Smith

The Olympic gymnast won the show in 2012.Louis won the show with his partner Flavia Cacace and in the final they danced the Salsa (39 points), the Charleston (39 points) and the Showdance (40 points).Since winning Strictly, Louis has continued to represent Great Britain in the Olympics.

Abbey Clancy11 of 16
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Series 11 – Abbey Clancy

The Britain's Next Top Model runner up won Strictly in 2013.With her partner Aljaz Skorjanec, she won the show dancing the Waltz (40 points), the Showdance (38 points) and the Quickstep (38 points).Since the show, Abbey has returned to Britain's Next Top Model as the host.

Caroline Flack12 of 16
CREDIT: BBC and Getty Images

Series 12 – Caroline Flack

The former X Factor presenter won Strictly in 2014.In the final along with her partner Pasha Kovalev, she danced the Cha Cha Cha (40 points), the Showdance (40 points) and the Charleston (40 points).After the show Caroline has presented The X Factor (alongside Olly Murs), Text Santa and of course, Love Island before her death in 2020, aged just 40.

Jay McGuiness13 of 16
CREDIT: BBC and Getty Images

Series 13 – Jay McGuiness

Following in the footsteps of McFly's Harry Judge, The Wanted boyband member Jay McGuiness won the BBC show in 2015.With his partner Aliona Vilani, Jay danced the Quickstep (36 points), the Showdance (35 points) and the Paso Doble (39 points).After winning the show he starred in the musical Big and went on to win Celebrity Hunted with his former bandmate Siva Kaneswaran.

Ore Oduba14 of 16
CREDIT: BBC and Shutterstock / Rex

Series 14 - Ore Oduba

TV presenter Ore Oduba won the glitterball trophy in 2016 alongside his partner Joanne Clifton.During the final the pair danced to American Smooth (39 points) and they scored a whopping 40 points for the Showdance and the Jive.After winning the show, Ore has welcomed his first child into the world with his wife Portia and has continued presenting.

Joe McFadden15 of 16
CREDIT: BBC and Shutterstock / Rex

Series 15 - Joe McFadden

Actor Joe McFadden and his professional dance partner Kayta Jones won Strictly Come Dancing in 2017.They managed to win the judges and the public over with the Showdance (39 points), Vienesse Waltz (39 points) and Charleston (40 points).Not only did he win Strictly but the 42-year-old actor broke a record and became the oldest ever winner of the show. Go Joe!Strictly 2017 winner has continued actor after getting the glitterball trophy.

Stacey Dooley16 of 16
CREDIT: Shutterstock/BBC

Series 16 - Stacey Dooley

Stacey Dooley won this year's Strictly with her professional dance partner Kevin Clifton.

WATCH Jack Fincham, Chris Hughes and Joey Essex reveal their Christmas and New Year plans

Although both Ashley and Giovanni refuted the chatter about a romance seemingly throughout the entire series, the rumours have persisted - and now a source has revealed that he could be spending his Christmas with her over in Miami instead of his family.

The source told The Sun, "This is a sign of just how heavily Giovanni has fallen for Ashley during the three to four months they were working in close ­quarters together. But because of the show's punishing rehearsal and performance schedule they couldn't spend as much time together as they might have liked.

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"So now that the show is over, they're virtually inseparable. That includes not wanting to be apart at Christmas, even if that means Giovanni has to make a ­sacrifice."

Although neither 37-year-old Ashley and 28-year-old Giovanni have confirmed their relationship, they were apparently spotted kissing at the Strictly wrap party, according to a Sun source who said, "They felt they had to keep things quiet during the show but threw caution to the wind at the party.

"They couldn't keep their hands off each other – full on snogging and touching in front of everyone."

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