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Meet Strictly's Giovanni Pernice
Updated 11th October 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 is paired with Eastenders Actress Rose Ayling-Ellis.
This exciting partnership is a first for strictly; Rose is thrilled to be showing viewers that those who are deaf can still dance and feel the rhythm.
It was an absolute pleasure to watch Giovanni and Rose “Shake it Off” with a Jive full of energy, fun, and personality in week 1 – you can certainly see why it’s Giovanni’s favourite dance. In Movie Week “Our hearts went on” for Rose & Giovanni’s Slow Foxtrot to Roses Theme from Titanic. Shirley felt it was “exquisite and a vision” and Craig simply signed “A-MAZ-ING!” Giovanni never ceases to impress with his stunning choreography, so beautiful in its simplicity.
In 2020 Giovanni was delighted to be paired with journalist and presenter Ranvir Singh. Ranvir & Giovanni made it all the way to the Strictly semi-final.
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?
31 years old (born 5th September 1990)
Where is Giovanni from?
Sicily, Italy
Is Giovanni single?
No, Currently Giovanni is dating Love Island Star Maura Higgins
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?
Eastenders Actress Rose Ayling-Ellis
On joining Strictly, Rose said, “I feel like it’s so important for somebody like me to be on the show. To be the first deaf contestant on Strictly Come Dancing is sooooo exciting.. and a little bit scary, But I am also very excited to learn an incredible new skill and even better I get to learn whilst wearing beautiful dresses made especially for me!”
Who has Giovanni danced with on Strictly?
Georgia May Foote, Laura Whitmore, Debbie McGee, Faye Tozer, Michelle Visage and Ranvir Singh.
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
It has been announced Joanne will play the role of Morticia Addams in the UK & Ireland tour of The Addams Family – A Musical Comedy due to open 5th November 2021.
Joanne has toured the UK with Burn the Floor, and is due to perform once again with Burn The Floor in 2022. Joanne Clifton has starred as Janet in the UK tour of The Rocky Horror Show, Alex Owens in the UK tour of Flashdance, and Dale Tremont in Top Hat. 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 2022 show-stopping tour ‘This Is Me’
www.giovannipernice.com/
Find out all about Giovanni Pernice & Anton Du Beke 2022 ‘Him & Me’ Tour
www.antonandgiovanni.com//
Joanne Clifton Tour Dates & Venues
Find out all about the UK & Ireland tour of The Addams Family starring Joanne Clifton
www.theaddamsfamily.co.uk/
Find out all about The 2022 Burn The Floor 25th Anniversary Reunion Tour – starring Joanne Clifton
www.btf25.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
– Jowita Przystal
– Kai Widdrington
– Karen Clifton
– Katya Jones
– Kevin Clifton
– Luba Mushtuk
– Nadiya Bychkova
– Nancy Xu
– Neil Jones
– Nikita Kuzmin
– Oti Mabuse
