Just four months after they were first rumoured to be dating, Strictly Come Dancing professionals Giovanni Pernice and Jowita Przystal are believed to have ended their romance.
Their rumoured split comes just days after Giovanni, 32, slipped up in an interview and referred to himself and Jowita, 28, as “we” – seemingly confirming their relationship and delighting fans.
But their hectic work schedules and Giovanni’s upcoming tour are said to have pulled them apart, with a source revealing, “As time has passed they have found it increasingly difficult to build on their relationship because of the hectic work schedules they both have.”
Rumours began swirling in December that the couple – both professional dancers on the hit BBC show – were dating after reportedly being spotted kissing backstage on the Strictly set and flirting at a recent party.
And, in January, the pair appeared to confirm their romance when they were snapped holding hands after enjoying a date night at a London restaurant.
But while he may have been unlucky in love in the past, sources close to the pair said seemingly reformed ladies’ man Giovanni, 32, was head over heels for Polish beauty Jowita.
“Giovanni has fallen hard and fast for Jowita, and the relationship has become serious very quickly,” they told Closer in January. “They’ve been friends for a while, but things changed before Christmas and they became closer. Because they had that connection and friendship there before, it has made the relationship super special.
“At the moment they are enjoying spending as much time together as they can, and neither of them like being apart from the other. Giovanni spends quite a lot of time on the road, on tour. But whenever he’s not working he’s with Jowita as that’s where he’s happiest. That’s why they are already talking about finding a place and moving in together.”
The couple have been pictured together multiple times since the end of the 2022 series, which saw Jowita lift the Glitterball trophy with her partner,TV presenter Hamza Yassin. Initially, fans were hoping that Jowita and Hamza would fall for each other, with one posting, “Hoping Hamza and Jowita start dating they are so cute!” and another writing, “Honestly wouldn’t surprise me if it comes out that these two are dating coz the love between them is oozing, it’s beautiful.”
Giovanni has had a number of high-profile relationships. He has dated reality stars Maura Higgins, Jess Wright and former Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts, as well as his Strictly partner Georgia May Foote. But despite his dating history, Jowita, 28 – who shot to fame when she was crowned the winner of the second series of The Greatest Dancer – hasn’t been put off.
“Giovanni is known on the circuit for being a bit of a player, but Jowita isn’t concerned about that,” explains the source.
“She’s so happy and Giovanni treats her in the right way. With them both being dancers they also share an understanding of the pressures that come with being a professional performer. This will only help boost the chances of things working out.”
CHECK OUT: Giovanni Pernice's exes - who has he dated?
Giovanni Pernice exes
1 of 7Georgia May Foote: 2015 - 2016
Giovanni first appeared on the Strictly dance floor back in 2015 and it wasn't long before he shacked up with his first dance partner, Corrie actor Georgia May Foote, who'd been dating co-star Sean Ward at the time. Just weeks after going public the couple sparked rumours they were engaged when Georgia was spotted with a sparkler on her ring finger - but she swiftly denied the claims and the pair called it quits just nine months later.
2 of 7Jess Wright: 2017 - 2018
Fast forward a year and Gio's next high profile relationship was with TOWIE star Jess Wright. Despite rumours swirling as early as October 2017, it wasn't until Valentine's Day 2018 that the couple confirmed they were an item. But just a few short months later they'd gone their separate ways, with a source telling The Sun, "He was really into Jess and did want to make a go of it, but he struggled with the attention she gets and her popularity. They've tried to keep things amicable and told people they have both agreed to go their separate ways, but he was the one who first suggested things were going to end."
3 of 7Ashley Roberts: 2018 - 2020
The 2018 series of Strictly Come Dancing saw Giovanni paired with Steps star Faye Tozer, but it was Pasha Kovalev's dance partner, former Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts, who caught Gio's eye. The pair went on to date for over a year and Gio even spent their first Christmas together as a couple with Ashley's family in Miami, They split in January 2020, with Gio writing on Twitter, "@IamAshleyRoberts and I have made the decision to separate as a couple. We remain friends and wish each other well for the future."
4 of 7Ranvir Singh: 2020
Another series, another rumoured romance for Giovanni Pernice. This time it was his dance partner, ITV news anchor Ranvir Singh, who was recently separated from her husband after eight years. Despite their obvious on screen chemistry and Ranvir telling Closer her son "adored" Gio, they always denied they were romantically involved, and last year Ranvir revealed she had found love with producer Louis Church.
5 of 7Maura Higgins: 2021
After weeks of teasing fans on social media, Giovanni and Love Island star Maura Higgins confirmed they'd become TV's best looking couple with a cute Instagram post in July. But there were soon reports of Maura's unease over Gio's "player" past and it wasn't long before fears over the infamous "Strictly curse" set in for Maura, with the pair splitting after just four short months later - although insiders say it was down to Gio using a dating app behind her back.
6 of 7Rose Ayling-Ellis: 2021
Giovanni landed his first Strictly win and was finally able to lift the Glitterball Trophy in 2021 after viewers fell in love with his friendship with dance partner Rose Ayling-Ellis. Their couples' choice routine moved the nation, but while their chemistry was palpable, the pair never crossed into romantic territory, with Rose happily loved up with long-term boyfriend Sam until they split earlier this year.
7 of 7Emily Atack: 2022
Giovanni was linked to Emily Atack in early 2022 when they were reportedly spotted "all over each other" at a BRIT Awards after party. “Gio and Emily were snogging the faces off each other. Their hands were everywhere and they were absolutely loving it,” said a party goer at the shindig hosted by London venue The Box. "He had been following her around the club and joined her on Maya Jama’s private table. Before long he had his arms draped over her on the dance floor where they kissed — and then held hands outside in the smoking area. There were also loads of raunchy performers on stage which they watched while cosying up together. It was more than flirty,” the told The Sun.