Excitement is growing for Strictly, with a new series just weeks away and the full line-up already announced.
And last week, eagle-eyed fans spotted something they thought may point to who pro dancer Giovanni Pernice will be partnered with this season.
While the official pairings are yet to be revealed by the BBC, some of Giovanni’s social media followers spotted that the Italian dancer, 32 – who lifted the Glitterball trophy in 2021 while partnered with former EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis – follows former Love Island star Zara McDermott, 26, and actress Amanda Abbington, 51, out of the newest line-up – with many predicting he’ll be stepping on to the dance floor with Zara.
And insiders say that Giovanni – like many of the other pros – is hoping to be partnered with Zara to improve his chances of winning the show again.
A source says, “Giovanni’s really excited about this year’s line-up, and naturally, like many of the pros, he’s keen to win. Many of them are hoping to be paired up with Zara, who is one of the early favourites.
“She’s really into her fitness so will be able to handle the gruelling schedule and, as fans can already see from her social media, she can dance. He’d love to win the show a second time, and he reckons Zara could be a good bet.”
While Giovanni is currently single, he’s had a number of romances on Strictly – previously dating his partner Georgia May Foote and then having a three-month romance with last year’s winning pro Jowita Przystał. He’s also dated TOWIE star Jess Wright, former Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts and Love Island 2019 star Maura Higgins.
Meanwhile, Zara has been dating former Made In Chelsea star and podcaster Sam Thompson since 2019.
When news of Zara’s participation in Strictly was announced, Sam seemed totally supportive, writing on social media, “Go on Goose! The news is out! So damn excited for this journey.”
