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Who are Giovanni Pernice & Joanne Clifton
Last updated 4th March 2019
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.
The 2018 series of Strictly saw Giovanni partnered with Steps singer, Faye Tozer.
Faye & Giovanni performed some amazing routines, including their Couples Choice in week 6. They scored an immpressive 39 after dancing a Jazz number to ‘Fever’ in Halloween Week.
Together they made it all the way to the 2018 Strictly Final – their Showdance routine was truly fab-u-lous!
In 2017 Giovanni retained his ‘Pro Challenge Title’ by achieveing the most Charleston swivels danced in 30 seconds. Giovanni set a world record for correctly dancing the most Charleston swivel steps in 30 seconds – congrats. In 2016 Giovanni achieved the most Jive flicks & kicks in 30 seconds – achieving a record breaking 55!
Joanne Clifton
is one of the best professional ballroom dancers in the world.
Joanne from Grimsby started dancing from the age of 4 with her brother, Kevin and has competed in over 20 countries around the world.
Joanne partnered BBC Olympic sports presenter Ore Oduba all the way to the Strictly Final, lifting the 2016 glitterball trophy together – Congratulations…
Ore & Joanne scored the highest points ever scored by week 4 of the competition with their amazing Jive to ‘Runaway Baby’
Over the years, Joanne has won numerous awards and accolades, including 5-time British Champion, European Professional Champion and recently, champion of the World Dancesport Games in Taiwan with partner Paolo Bosco.
Learn all about Giovanni & Joanne’s glittering dancing achievements below
4* Weekend Breaks Starring Giovanni Pernice
Why not join Strictly Come Dancing Star Giovanni Pernice at one of our exclusive weekend breaks? You can meet Giovanni, learn the steps and be captivated as he performs a spectacular showcase just for you. Giovanni will teach you how to dance, perform in a spectacular dance showcase and give you all the juicy gossip in a fun Q&A session.
Friday 8th – Sunday 10th March 2019
4* Alton Towers Resort
Alton, Staffordshire
Join; Aljaz Skorjanec & Janette Manrara, Karen Clifton & Gorka Marquez, Giovanni Pernice & Luba Mushtuk plus British National & World Ballroom Champions Warren & Kristi Boyce.
Friday 26th – Sunday 28th April 2019
5* Celtic Manor Resort
Newport, South Wales
Join Anton Du Beke & Erin Boag, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Giovanni Pernice, Luba Mushtuk, Ian Waite, British National & World Ballroom Champions Warren & Kristi Boyce plus Argentine Tango stars Leandro Palou & Maria Tsiatsiani.
Strictly Stars Giovanni Pernice & Joanne Clifton
© Photo By Duncan Young
Giovanni Pernice
Giovanni was born in Sicily and decided from a young age that he wanted to take up dance lessons.
At 14 years old he moved to Bologna to concentrate on dance and to be taught by some of the best teachers in the world. His greatest achievement is the day he won the Italian Championships in 2012. He has the date tattooed on his wrist, along with ‘Nato per vincere’ meaning ‘Born To Win’ written on his arm.
Giovanni has competed in numerous international dance competitions since first competing as an adult in 2008. From Moscow to Malta and from Belgrade to Belgium, these competitions have taken Giovanni all over Europe and seen him compete at the highest level for the past seven years.
Giovanni’s favourite dance style is Jive as he feels it reflects his cheeky character.
How old is Giovanni?
28 years old (born 5th September 1990)
Where is Giovanni from?
Sicily, Italy
Is Giovanni single?
Erm, probably not. In the past he’s dated Corrie star, Georgia May Foote and TOWIE’s Jess Wright. Let’s just say, it’s complicated.
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?
That’ll be Strictly professional dancer, Luba Mushtuk, who you’ll see in plenty of Group Dances this series.
Who is Giovanni’s celebrity partner?
This year Giovanni is partnered with Steps singing sensation Faye Tozer – and what an amazing dance partnership they make, already stunning viewers with a sensational Quickstep in Movie Week.
On joining Strictly, Faye said, “It’s an entertainment show. It doesn’t matter if you can dance or you can’t, it’s if the audience will want to see you on their TV or not. And actually the bar is really quite high this year, we’ve got some real movers in there that you’ll be surprised about. I can’t wait to get in the costumes. The swishy skirts and fabulous fringing encrusted with crystals…it’s a big yes from me!”
In 2017 Giovanni was delighted to partner TV personality & magician’s assistant Debbie McGee. Together they dazzled us with some amazing performances – especially that Argentine Tango! Making it all the way to the 2017 Strictly Finals.
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 has Giovanni danced with on Strictly?
Georgia May Foote, Laura Whitmore and Debbie McGee.
Has Giovanni ever won Strictly?
No. He made it to the final with both Georgia May Foote and Debbie McGee, 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
Age 32
Joanne was born into a dancing family and danced her first competition at the age of 3 with her brother Kevin Clifton.
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.
On 19 December 2013 Joanne retired from competing with her Professional Ballroom dance partner Paulo Bosco.
Jo is also a model, presenter, actress and singer.
In 2017 Jo played the title role of Millie Dillmount in the UK tour of Thoroughly Modern Millie. Currently Jo is playing the lead role of Alex Owens in Flashdance the Musical. Previously Joanne has toured Australia and Japan with stage show ‘Burn the Floor’.
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 2019 Dance Is Life Tour Dates & Venues
Find out all about Giovanni Pernice & Luba Mushtuk’s 2019 show-stopping tour ‘Dance Is Life’
www.giovannipernice.com/
Joanne Clifton 2018 Tour Dates & Venues
Find out all about Joanne Clifton’s show-stopping 2018 FlashDance tour
www.flashdanceuktour.co.uk/
Strictly Come Dancing Professional Dancers
Learn more about all your favourite Strictly Pro Dancers here;
