Strictly Come Dancing star Giovanni Pernice was robbed in the street by masked muggers, according to new reports.
It’s claimed Giovanni was waiting for an Uber in Epping, Essex when the muggers pulled up alongside him in a black car and sprayed him in the face with what is thought to be pepper spray before speeding off with his rucksack and watch.
The dance pro was treated at the scene by paramedics and is thought to have avoided any long-term physical damage.
“His first thought was that it was an acid attack — because of the burning in his eyes,” a source told The Sun.
“He has been left absolutely terrified by the attack. It has hugely knocked his confidence.”
CHECK OUT the Strictly Come Dancing 2019 line-up
RADIO Strictly Come Dancing 2019 official line up slider
1 of 16Kelvin Fletcher
Kelvin Fletcher has joined the cast of Strictly Come Dancing 2019 as a late addition! The former Emmerdale star stepped in as a replacement for Made In Chelsea's Jamie Laing, who was forced to pull out after injuring himself in training.
2 of 16Anneka Rice
Presenter Anneka Rice has joined the Strictly 2019 family! The official Strictly team tweeted, 'We challenge Anneka to one series of #Strictly. Ready to sparkle it's national treasure ud83dudc8e @AnnekaRice.'Anneka said, "I haven't danced since I was 7 and Miss Beer sent me home from my ballet class because I was hopelessly uncoordinated. My family and friends haven't seen me dance since, not at a wedding or round a handbag so it's going to be a challenge for my partner. In fact I've asked for two, one on each side. I can't see myself in a long frilly dress either. But I'm feeling recklessly excited. Strictly has always been my autumn's entertainment and now I'm part of it! My children will probably leave the country."
3 of 16James Cracknell
Olympic rower James Cracknell is the latest star to sign up to Strictly 2019! The official Strictly Twitter page said, 'Strictly 2019 just got even more oarsome! Say hello to Olympic rower @jamescracknell! ud83eudd47.'James said, "I'm really looking forward to being a part of Strictly this year. Having spent so many years mucking around in a rowing boat with big men in tight lycra, it's time I learned a new skill. I need to apologise to my kids in advance for the embarrassment."
4 of 16Alex Scott
Former footballer Alex Scott is joining the Strictly 2019 team! Strictly tweeted, 'Get ready to roar for Lioness and @BBCMOTD presenter @AlexScott! It's time for her to tackle #Strictly ⚽ufe0f.' [sic]Alex said, "I am absolutely buzzing to be signed up to Strictly. It's the show I've always wanted to do and I can't believe I'm finally going to be part of it. I'm super excited, but also terrified at the same time... The football pitch is a bit less glam than the ballroom, but I'm ready to try the sequins and dresses! Bring it on!"
5 of 16Jamie Laing
Made In Chelsea star Jamie Laing has now been confirmed to appear on the show. Jamie said, "I am beyond thrilled to be asked to be on Strictly, the only person potentially more thrilled is my mother. I have finally become the son she hoped for!"
6 of 16Will Bayley MBE
Paralympic table tennis player Will Bayley has joined the line-up! Announcing the news on social media, bosses wrote, 'London 2012 ✅Rio 2016 ✅Strictly 2019 ✅ Will Bayley MBE @willbayleytt, Gold-Medal winning Paralympian joins our line-up ud83eudd47'. [sic]Will said, "I'm so proud to be on the show, it's my family's favourite show. I have no dance experience at all, but I hope I can do well. I want to inspire people with a disability- that would mean a lot to me. I want to prove to people I can do this."
7 of 16Dev Griffin
Presenter Dev Griffin is taking to the dancefloor for this year's series of Strictly Come Dancing! Strictly tweeted, 'He knows his way around the decks, but how about the dance floor? Dev Griffin is our next Strictly celeb!'Dev said, "I just can't believe I'm doing Strictly, it just doesn't feel real yet! It's going to be so much fun, but just to be clear, I'm not doing this to take part, I'm totally in it to win it! I can't wait to meet my partner and start practicing."
8 of 16Michelle Visage
Strictly 2019 are having RuPaul's Drag Race star Michelle Visage join the show! They wrote on Twitter, 'Who's ready for our next RuVeal? She's here to to slay the ballroom... Shantay @michellvisage, queen of @rupaulsdragrace, you stay! ud83dudc51'Michelle said, "Getting to do Strictly in my favorite place on Earth is an actual DREAM! I'm so excited to show that being 50 doesn't mean life stops. Things may not work like they did when I was 20, but 50 also means 'FABULOUS!' There are plenty of women like me out there who still 'got it' and we still 'plan to use it!' so slap on the sequins, point me to the dance floor and watch me Paso my Doble!"
9 of 16Viscountess Emma Weymouth
Emma Thynn, Viscountess Weymouth is a businesswoman, chef, model and philanthropist, and is the eighth signing for Strictly 2019. Strictly Twitter wrote, 'Meet Viscountess and chef Emma Weymouth. Ready to take on another title. #Strictly star 2019!'Emma said, "I absolutely love watching Strictly every weekend and I can't believe that I'm getting the chance to be on this series. I know it will be such an amazing experience from start to finish. I can't wait for the dancing and the fabulous outfits!"
10 of 16Karim Zeroual
CBBC presenter and child stage star Karim Zeroual is the next Strictly celebrity! The official Strictly Twitter wrote, 'Get ready to rumba @kayzer_1 #Strictly Come Dancing is calling for CBBC presenter Karim Zeroual!'Karim said, "To be offered the chance to take part in Strictly is dumbfounding, I'm pinching myself…! I'm so excited to be Strictlified. I want THE LOT. The skimpiest of clothes, the widest of flares, the brightest of colours and the tallest Cuban heels a guy can find! The more flamboyant the better... Sequins galore please!"
11 of 16Mike Bushell
Breakfast TV presenter Mike Bushell has been announced as the next famous face in the celebrity line-up for 2019! Strictly wrote on Twitter, 'He's swapping early mornings for Saturday nights. Welcome to #Strictly Mike Bushell! @mikebreakfast ud83dudd7a.'Mike said, "I am so excited to be joining this year's Strictly Come Dancing. I've heard so many wonderful things from colleagues over the years so thrilled I'm now getting the chance. I know I will completely throw myself into the whole experience and I'm sure will love it from start to finish. I may have tried and profiled over 500 sports over the years in my Saturday morning BBC Breakfast slot but think the Strictly challenge could be the greatest. Bring on the glitter!"
12 of 16Catherine Tyldesley
Coronation Street star Catherine Tyldesley was announced as another signing on This Morning! Strictly Twitter wrote, 'From Coronation Street to dancing feet. ud83dudc60 It's actress @Cath_Tyldesley's time to shine on #Strictly.'Catherine said, "I'm thrilled to be a part of this year's Strictly Come Dancing. I'm a huge fan of the show. It'll be my biggest challenge to date as I'm not much of a dancer, but I've always wanted to learn the skill and the time feels right! I'm nervous as hell but super excited to work with such talented professionals. Hold onto your jazz shoes... mine is sure to be a bumpy/clumsy/fun ride!"
13 of 16Saffron Barker
Following in the footsteps of 2018's Joe Sugg, social media star Saffron Barker has been announced! Strictly wrote in a tweet, 'Swapping YouTube for dancing shoes. Social media star @SaffronBarker is now subscribing to #Strictly! ud83cudfac .'Saffron said, "I am really excited to go on the Strictly journey and am feeling very grateful for the opportunity! I'm looking forward to learning all of the dances, finding out who my partner is, getting to wear the costumes and to just experience this once in a lifetime opportunity."
14 of 16Emma Barton
Actress Emma Barton is best known for her role on EastEnders as Honey Mitchell, and has been announced for Strictly 2019! They tweeted, 'Waltzing in from Walford welcome @EmmaBarton ! @BBCEastEnders Honey Mitchell to #Strictly. ✨'Emma said, "As possibly one of the biggest Strictly fans on the planet, I still can't believe this is happening. I'm very much a dance around your handbag kinda girl, but now I've been given this wonderful opportunity to learn all the different styles of dancing from the very best in the business. So, I'm whipping off Honey's 'Minute Mart' tabard and diving right in to all the glitter and sparkle. From Albert Square to the Strictly dance floor - I just can't wait!"
15 of 16Chris Ramsey
Comedian Chris Ramsey was the second celebrity to be announced for this year's series. Strictly tweeted, 'He can handle a heckle but how about a fleckerl? Comedian @IAmChrisRamsey is our second #Strictly celebrity of 2019! ud83cudfa4.'Chris said, "I'm both excited and absolutely terrified to be doing the show. You will not find me on the dance floor at parties, you will find me at the buffet table. All night. At my wedding I danced with my wife; that one song took about six months practice, and I definitely stood on her feet a couple of times. So I'm looking forward to the possibility of making a fool of myself in front of millions of people... There better be a buffet after the live shows."
16 of 16David James MBE
Former goalkeeper David James has signed up to Strictly for 2019! The pundit was the first to be announced, with the official Strictly Twitter writing, 'Our first signing of the #Strictly season is @England football legend David James! ⚽ufe0f'David said, "I'm really excited to be on Strictly this year. Not just competing against this year's stars, but being compared to previous sport stars from previous Strictly seasons. I have some big shoes to fill."
Giovanni’s girlfriend and former Strictly dance partner, Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts, rushed to be with him and is said to have been ‘shaken’ by the attack.
The source continued: “As a person in the public eye, Ashley is just as concerned that this kind of thing could happen to her too.”
Police are investigating the crime, which is believed to have taken place last month.
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Giovanni’s mugging is the latest in a string of attacks on Strictly stars and follows an incident involving AJ Pritchard and his brother Curtis who were beaten up in a Cheshire nightclub at the end of last year.
AJ and Curtis were assaulted by a group of men in an ‘unprovoked attack’ which left Love Island star Curtis needing an emergency operation on his knee, while AJ suffered bruising to his face, arms, body and legs.
Prior to that, Gorka Marquez lost two teeth after being attacked on a night out with fellow Strictly stars Aljaz Skorjanec and Neil Jones in Blackpool in 2016.