Strictly’s Giovanni Pernice ‘spending Christmas’ with Ashley Roberts over his family

Is this true love?

Giovanni Pernice & Ashley Roberts

by Emma Dodds |
Updated on

This year's Strictly Come Dancing seemed to have more romantic entanglements than ever before! There was, of course, the Seann Walsh/Katya Jones kissing scandal, but there was also the blossoming frisson between Joe Sugg and his partner Dianne Buswell, who have since gone public with their relationship.

The other rumoured couple from this year was Giovanni Pernice and Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts, who were partnered with Steps' Faye Tozer and Pasha Kovalev respectively. Whilst both were in the final, the 2018 Glitterball Trophy was taken in the end by journalist Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton - who finally won the show after five years in the final.

Stacey Dooley & Kevin Clifton
©Stacey Dooley & Kevin Clifton © BBC Pictures

Although both Ashley and Giovanni refuted the chatter about a romance seemingly throughout the entire series, the rumours have persisted - and now a source has revealed that he could be spending his Christmas with her over in Miami instead of his family.

The source told The Sun, "This is a sign of just how heavily Giovanni has fallen for Ashley during the three to four months they were working in close ­quarters together. But because of the show's punishing rehearsal and performance schedule they couldn't spend as much time together as they might have liked.

"So now that the show is over, they're virtually inseparable. That includes not wanting to be apart at Christmas, even if that means Giovanni has to make a ­sacrifice."

Gallery

RADIO Strictly Come Dancing couples - slider with cover pic

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Swipe through to see which couples found love on Strictly Come Dancing...

Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole2 of 12
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Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole

On the first ever series of Strictly back in 2001, news reader Natasha Kaplinsky and professional dancer Brendan Cole were paired together.Despite both being in other relationships at the time, both Natasha and Brendan called off their romances and started dating after the series finished. Their relationship didn't last long though, and they are now both happily married to other people.

Ali Bastian and Brian Fortuna3 of 12
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Ali Bastian and Brian Fortuna

It was love at first sight for former Hollyoaks actress Ali Bastian and her Strictly partner Brian Fortuna in 2009. With the pair both single at the time, Ali and Brian started a relationship, only for it to end the following year.

Joe Calzaghe and Kristina Rihanoff4 of 12
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Joe Calzaghe and Kristina Rihanoff

When boxer Joe Calzaghe appeared on the show in 2009, he announced to the press that his relationship with his partner Jo-Emma Larvin had come to an end, just one week into his Strictly journey. Joe's professional dance partner Kristina Rihanoff was more than a shoulder to cry on, with the pair starting a romance. They went on to date for four years after show, before announcing their split.

Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff5 of 12
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Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff

After her relationship with Joe Calzaghe fell apart, Kristina later met another Strictly contestant, England rugby ace Ben Cohen. Both Ben and Kristina have denied rumours that Ben was still with his ex-wife Abby Blayney at the time they started dating, with the pair claiming they didn't get together until a year later. Things are going well however, the pair now share a daughter together called Milena and are in a happy relationship.

Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev6 of 12
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Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev

After her split from Joe Swash, actress Kara Tointon appeared on the 2010 series of Strictly and mended her broken heart with a little help from professional dancer Artem Chigvintsev.Despite this, things didn't work out for the couple and Kara is now loved-up with her boyfriend Marius Jensen, with rumours suggesting she could be pregnant with the couple's first child.

Rachel Riley and Pasha Kovalev7 of 12
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Rachel Riley and Pasha Kovalev

When Countdown presenter Rachel Riley appeared on Strictly in 2013 she was married to her ex-husband Jamie Gilbert. However, after just 16 months of marriage, the pair announced they were set for divorce in November 2016. Fast-forward to 2016 and Rachel revealed she was in a relationship with her 2013 Strictly partner Pasha Kovalev... And they are still together!

Georgia May Foote and Giovanni Pernice8 of 12
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Georgia May Foote and Giovanni Pernice

Georgia May Foote was dating her Coronation Street co-star Sean Ward when she joined the show in 2015. But when rumours circulated that the couple's relationship wasn't going well, they split in December 2015. Georgia was then spotted getting very cosy with her Strictly partner Giovanni, with the pair enjoying a holiday to Disneyland Paris for New Year.Despite this, the couple ended their relationship in August 2016.

Dianne Buswell and Joe Sugg9 of 12
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Dianne Buswell and Joe Sugg

After weeks of rumours, Joe Sugg appeared to confirm his relationship with Strictly Come Dancing partner Dianne Buswell with a photo on Instagram, the caption read, 'I may not have won the glitter ball, but I've won something a million times more special.'

Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez10 of 12
CREDIT: u00a9 Getty Images

Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez

Radio presenter Gemma Atkinson and professional dancer Gorka Marquez were first linked in the 2017 series, and got together whilst on the 2018 annual tour together. They moved in together in December 2018.

Giovanni Pernice and Ashley Roberts11 of 12
CREDIT: u00a9 Getty Images

Giovanni Pernice and Ashley Roberts

Professional dancer Giovanni Pernice and Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts were forced to deny they were dating during the 2018 series, but Giovanni confirmed the relationship in January 2019.In January 2020, the duo confirmed they'd split.

Caroline Flack and AJ Pritchard12 of 12
CREDIT: u00a9 Getty Images

Caroline Flack and AJ Pritchard

Official news on whether these two are dating is yet to be confirmed, but 2014 Strictly winner Caroline Flack was spotted kissing professional dancer AJ Pritchard at the 2019 NTAs.

Although neither 37-year-old Ashley and 28-year-old Giovanni have confirmed their relationship, they were apparently spotted kissing at the Strictly wrap party, according to a Sun source who said, "They felt they had to keep things quiet during the show but threw caution to the wind at the party.

"They couldn't keep their hands off each other – full on snogging and touching in front of everyone."

NOW WATCH: ‘He’s easy on the eye’ Kimberly Wyatt on Ashley & 'Italian Stallion' Giovanni’s Rumoured Romance

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