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Who are Giovanni Pernice & Joanne Clifton
Last updated 13th November 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 2019 series of Strictly sees Giovanni partnered with fellow Italian and RuPaul‘s Drag Race judge, Michelle Visage. Could this feisty, passionate pair bring enough sass to wow the judges and claim the Strictly title?
The 2018 series of Strictly saw Giovanni partnered with Steps singer, Faye Tozer and they performed some amazing routines, including their Couples Choice in week 6. They scored an impressive 39 after dancing a Jazz number to ‘Fever’ in Halloween Week.
In 2017 Giovanni retained his ‘Pro Challenge Title’ by achieving 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 27th – Sunday 29th March 2020
4* Beaumont Estate Hotel
Windsor, Berkshire
Spend the weekend with your favourite stars of Strictly Come Dancing at the impressive 4* De Vere Beaumont Estate in Windsor.
Join; Anton Du Beke & Erin Boag, Katya & Neil Jones, Giovanni Pernice & Pro Dance Partner to be announced, British National & World Ballroom Champions Warren & Kristi Boyce plus Argentine Tango Instructors Filippo Monici & Laura Lorenzo.
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?
29 years old (born 5th September 1990)
Where is Giovanni from?
Sicily, Italy
Is Giovanni single?
Afraid not. He’s dating Pussycat Doll and former Strictly contestant, Ashley Roberts.
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?
RuPaul‘s Drag Race judge, Michelle Visage
On joining Strictly, Michelle said, “I’m Italian so I would love Giovanni. I love the Italian sense of humour – it’s so funny and the accent is amazing so we would have a good time. And, by the way, they’ve got to have some guns to lift all this, trust me!”
Who has Giovanni danced with on Strictly?
Georgia May Foote, Laura Whitmore, Debbie McGee and Faye Tozer.
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 35 (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 2020 This Is Me Tour Dates & Venues
Find out all about Giovanni Pernice 2020 show-stopping tour ‘This Is Me’
www.giovannipernice.com/
Joanne Clifton & Kevin Clifton’s 2020 ‘Burn The Floor’ Tour Dates & Venues
Find out all about Joanne Clifton’s 2020 show-stopping ‘Burn The Floor’ tour
www.kevinandjoanne.com
Strictly Come Dancing Professional Dancers
