4* & 5* Weekend Breaks
One Night With...
Ballroom Dance Lessons
Reviews
Brochure
Gift Cards
Meet The Strictly Stars
Read all our latest...
Be the first to know
....all the latest information about our amazing Weekend Breaks with the Stars of Strictly, plus all the latest Strictly news.
Photo Gallery
Our Resort Hotels
Meet Strictly's Giovanni Pernice
Updated 19th July 2021
Cheeky Sicilian and Champion professional dancer, Giovanni Pernice, joined the Strictly family back in 2015 and has been charming us ever since. He’s also pretty good at the Strictly Pro Challenges with two Guinness World Records under his Italian belt.
This year Giovanni was delighted to be paired with journalist and presenter Ranvir Singh, best known as the Political Editor for ITV’s Good Morning Britain and anchor for ITV’s Tonight
Ranvir & Giovanni made it all the way to the Strictly semi-final. Following a gorgeous Waltz in the dance-off they just missed out on a place in the final.
Last year Giovanni partnered RuPaul‘s Drag Race judge, Michelle Visage. Together they brought us some sensational routines. Sadly their Blackpool Couples Choice ‘Vogue’ brought their time in the competition to an end.
In 2018 Giovanni partnered Steps singer, Faye Tozer and they performed some amazing routines, including their Couples Choice in week 6. They scored an impressive 39 after dancing Jazz number ‘Fever’ in Halloween Week.
In 2017 Giovanni retained his ‘Pro Challenge Title’ by achieving the most Charleston swivels danced in 30 seconds – congrats. In 2016 Giovanni achieved the most Jive flicks & kicks in 30 seconds – achieving a record breaking 55!
Learn all about Giovanni’s glittering dancing achievements below
5* Weekend Breaks with the stars of Strictly Come Dancing
Who better to teach you to dance than professional dancer Karen Hauer? West End Superstar and sizzling hot Strictly Pro – you can meet the stars, learn their steps and be captivated as they perform a spectacular dance showcase up close & personal.
Friday 4th – Sunday 6th March 2022
4* Alton Towers Hotel & Spa
Staffordshire
Join Aljaz Skorjanec & Janette Manrara, Giovanni Pernice, Gorka Marquez & Karen Hauer for an unforgetable weekend break.
Fri 13th – Sun 15th May 2022
5* Celtic Manor Resort Hotel
Newport, South Wales
Join Strictly Head Judge Shirley Ballas, Aljaz Skorjanec & Janette Manrara, Giovanni Pernice plus more Strictly Stars for an unforgettable weekend break.
Giovanni Pernice chats about Donahey’s 5* Weekend Breaks…
Strictly Stars Giovanni Pernice & Joanne Clifton
© Photo By Duncan Young
Giovanni Pernice
How old is Giovanni?
30 years old (born 5th September 1990)
Where is Giovanni from?
Sicily, Italy
Is Giovanni single?
Yes, he split from Pussycat Doll and former Strictly contestant Ashley Roberts in early 2020
What are Giovanni’s greatest dance achievements?
Giovanni started dancing at a young age and relocated to Bologna aged 14 in order to pursue his dance ambitions. During his career he has competed all over Europe and won the Italian Championships in 2012. He’s also the current Guinness World Record holder for Jive kicks and flicks, and Charleston swivels, thanks to the Strictly Pro Challenge.
Who is Giovanni’s professional dance partner?
Giovanni will be performing again (partner to be announced) at our Weekend Breaks in 2020, so get ready for some amazing routines.
What’s Giovanni’s favourite dance?
Giovanni loves the Jive.
When did Giovanni join Strictly?
Giovanni arrived in all his dazzling glory in 2015.
Who is Giovanni’s celebrity partner?
Ranvir Singh, best known as the Political Editor for ITV’s Good Morning Britain, anchor for ITV’s Tonight and newsreader on ITN
On joining Strictly, Ranvir said, “The initial feeling of being confirmed for Strictly is one of complete terror – feels like embarking on a rollercoaster, where you really want to do it but you are equally scared. Hopefully after the first dance I will feel exhilarated rather than sick!”
Who has Giovanni danced with on Strictly?
Georgia May Foote, Laura Whitmore, Debbie McGee, Faye Tozer and Michelle Visage.
Has Giovanni ever won Strictly?
No. He made it to the final with Faye Tozer in 2018, Debbie McGee in 2017 and Georgia May Foote in 2015, but he’s yet to win the elusive Strictly trophy.
Has Giovanni ever had a wardrobe malfunction on Strictly?
Let’s just say there’s limited opportunity for a wardrobe malfunction as Giovanni tends to wear minimal clothing on the dance floor.
Find out more about Giovanni’s dancing profile on the official BBC Strictly Come Dancing profile page.
Joanne Clifton
How old is Joanne?
Age 38 (born 26 October 1983)
Where is Joanne from?
Grimsby, England
What’s Joanne’s favourite dance?
Quickstep
Joanne was born into a dancing family and danced her first competition at the age of 3 with her brother Kevin.
Joanne started out at Cliftons Dance Academy in Grimsby, which is run by her parents (Former International Latin Champions). She has competed in both Ballroom and Latin for over 26 years and in that time has become: 5 time British Champion, 3 time Italian Champion, Professional Ballroom European Champion 2012 and Professional World Dancesport Games Champion 2013.
Joanne recently retired from competing with her partner Paulo Bosco
Joanne has most recently been touring Australia and Japan with Burn the Floor. She is also a model, presenter, actress and singer.
Joanne’s 2016 celebrity partner was BBC Olympic & sports presenter Ore Oduba. Ore makes regular appearences on BBC Breakfast & Radio 5 Live as sports correspondent, in 2013 Ore danced on Let’s Dance for Comic Relief.
On joining Strictly Ore said ‘Doesn’t everyone want to get to Blackpool? I’ve lived in the North West for five years and never been. I’ve got a box of 2ps and 1ps I’d like to get rid of!’
In the 2014 series of Strictly, Joanne famously partnered Radio presenter Scott Mills…who could forget the crab dance! In 2015 Joanne performed in the pro group dances, plus joined Zoe on It Takes Two as one of the resident Dance Experts.
Find out more about Joanne’s dancing profile on her official BBC Strictly Come Dancing profile page.
BBC Strictly Come Dancing
Find out more information about the BBC TV programme Strictly Come Dancing
by checking out the BBC Strictly Come Dancing website www.bbc.co.uk/strictlycomedancing
Donahey’s Dance Lessons & 4* UK Weekend Breaks have no association with the BBC.
Giovanni Pernice Tour Dates & Venues
Find out all about Giovanni Pernice 2021 show-stopping tour ‘This Is Me’
www.giovannipernice.com/
Find out all about Giovanni Pernice & Anton Du Beke 2021 ‘Him & Me’ Tour
www.antonandgiovanni.com//
Joanne Clifton Tour Dates & Venues
Find out all about Joanne Clifton & Kevin Clifton’s Socially Distanced 2020 tour
www.kevinandjoanne.com
Meet all the Strictly Come Dancing Professional Dancers
Learn more about all your favourite Strictly Pro’s here;
– Aljaz Skorjanec
– Amy Dowden
– Anton du Beke
– Dianne Buswell
– Giovanni Pernice
– Gorka Marquez
– Graziano di Prima
– Janette Manrara
– Johannes Radebe
– Karen Hauer
– Katya Jones
– Kevin Clifton
– Luba Mushtuk
– Nadiya Bychkova
– Nancy Xu
– Neil Jones
– Oti Mabuse
– Pasha Kovalov
