Giovanni Pernice – Biography, Partner, Book & Latest News
Giovanni Pernice is a name synonymous with ballroom excellence, having risen from a young dance student in Sicily to become a BAFTA Award-winning champion on Strictly Come Dancing. Known for his technical precision and emotional choreography, the Italian professional dancer captured hearts when he won the 2021 series with deaf actress Rose Ayling-Ellis, a partnership that redefined inclusive performance on British television.
Beyond the BBC ballroom, Pernice has built a multifaceted career spanning live theatre tours, a forthcoming memoir, and a starring role on Italy’s own dance competition, Ballando con le Stelle. His journey has been marked by triumph, transition, and a growing international presence.
What is the latest news about Giovanni Pernice?
| Name | Giovanni Pernice |
|---|---|
| Born | 5 September 1990 |
| Known For | Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer |
| Current Status | Touring the UK & Ireland, author, partner Bianca Guaccero |
- Giovanni Pernice joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2015 and quickly became a fan favourite.
- He won the 2021 series with partner Rose Ayling-Ellis, the show’s first deaf contestant, earning a BAFTA TV Moment award.
- In 2024, he departed the UK show amid reported training complaints, shifting his focus back to live touring and Italian television.
- He published a memoir, Gio: Taking the Lead, detailing his career and personal journey.
- His current partner is actress and singer Bianca Guaccero, with whom he won the 2024 series of Ballando con le Stelle.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Giovanni Pernice |
| Date of Birth | 5 September 1990 |
| Place of Birth | Sicily, Italy |
| Profession | Professional dancer, television personality |
| Years on Strictly | 2015–2024 |
| Strictly Win | 2021 with Rose Ayling-Ellis |
| Current Partner | Bianca Guaccero |
| Book | Gio: Taking the Lead (Headline, 2026) |
| Tour | Giovanni Pernice UK & Ireland tour |
| Instagram Followers | 1 million |
Who is Giovanni Pernice’s partner?
Bianca Guaccero
Giovanni Pernice is in a relationship with actress and singer Bianca Guaccero. The couple won the 2024 series of Ballando con le Stelle together, dancing as professional partner and celebrity contestant. Their partnership extends beyond the ballroom floor; they are also a couple in private life and frequently share glimpses of their time together on social media.
Bianca Guaccero is an established Italian actress and singer. Her dance partnership with Pernice on Ballando began as a professional pairing before becoming a personal one. The couple’s victory in the 2024 series was widely covered in Italian media.
Other reported relationships
One source has also linked Pernice to model Molly Brown, though the timeline of that connection remains unclear. No official confirmation from Pernice or Brown has been made public, and the dancer has not commented on the report. The information may reflect an earlier period in his personal life.
Who is Giovanni Pernice and Rose Ayling-Ellis?
The partnership that made history
Giovanni Pernice and Rose Ayling-Ellis were paired together for the 2021 series of Strictly Come Dancing. Ayling-Ellis, a deaf actress best known for her role in EastEnders, became the show’s first deaf contestant. Their partnership was notable for Pernice’s commitment to inclusive choreography, including learning British Sign Language to communicate more effectively with his partner.
The silent dance that won a BAFTA
The couple’s most celebrated moment came during a Couple’s Choice routine performed to “Symphony” by Clean Bandit. Midway through the performance, the music dropped out entirely, and the pair continued dancing in complete silence, allowing the audience to experience the performance as a deaf person might. The sequence won the TV Moment award at the 2022 British Academy Television Awards.
Series victory
Pernice and Ayling-Ellis won the 2021 series, lifting the Glitterball Trophy. Their win was widely praised as a landmark moment for disability representation on mainstream entertainment television. Pernice has since referred to the experience as the highlight of his Strictly career.
What is Giovanni Pernice’s book about?
Giovanni Pernice’s memoir, titled Gio: Taking the Lead: The must-read memoir for Strictly fans, is published by Headline. The scheduled release date is 27 August 2026. The book traces his journey from a young boy in Sicily who started dancing at age seven to becoming a Strictly Come Dancing champion.
According to the publisher, the memoir details Pernice’s early training in Bologna, his technical education at the Paladanze school and with Team Diablo, his Italian championship win in 2012, and his award-winning partnership with Rose Ayling-Ellis. It also explores the discipline and sacrifice required to reach the top of competitive dance.
No specific book tour dates have been announced in connection with the 2026 release, though Pernice continues to perform in live theatre shows and dance events across the UK and Ireland.
The release date of 27 August 2026 is in the future as of mid-2026. Some earlier reports had suggested a 2024 publication, but the confirmed date from the publisher is August 2026. Readers should verify availability closer to the release window.
What is Giovanni Pernice’s career timeline?
- 1990 – Born in Sicily, Italy, on 5 September.
- 1997 – Begins dancing at age seven.
- 2004 – Moves alone to Bologna at age 14 to train at the Paladanze school.
- 2012 – Wins the Italian Dance Championships.
- 2015 – Joins BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing as a professional dancer.
- 2021 – Wins Strictly with Rose Ayling-Ellis; their silent dance wins a BAFTA TV Moment award.
- 2024 – Departs UK Strictly; wins Ballando con le Stelle with Bianca Guaccero.
- 2025 – Partners TV host Francesca Fialdini on Ballando con le Stelle.
- 2026 – Memoir Gio: Taking the Lead published by Headline.
What is confirmed and what remains unclear?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Birth date and birthplace (5 September 1990, Sicily) are documented in official biographies. | The full timeline of his departure from Strictly and the nature of any training complaints have not been officially detailed. |
| His relationship with Bianca Guaccero is confirmed through public Instagram posts and their shared victory on Ballando. | Bianca Guaccero’s full surname and background details beyond her acting and singing career are not widely reported in English-language media. |
| The book Gio: Taking the Lead is confirmed by publisher Headline with a release date of 27 August 2026. | Specific tour dates and venues for a potential book tour have not been announced. |
| His involvement with Ballando con le Stelle is confirmed by Italian media and his own social media posts. | The exact duration of his role on the Italian show beyond the 2025 series is not yet known. |
| He holds two Guinness World Records for the most Jive kicks/flicks and Charleston swivels during the Strictly Pro Challenge. | His long-term plans beyond the 2027 UK tour have not been publicly stated. |
What is the broader context of Giovanni Pernice’s career?
Giovanni Pernice’s rise from a Sicilian dance student to a Strictly champion illustrates the level of dedication required to succeed in competitive ballroom. Moving to Bologna alone at 14 to train full-time was a formative sacrifice that shaped his technical foundation. His 2012 national title and subsequent Guinness World Records reflect a performer driven by precision and endurance.
His 2021 win with Rose Ayling-Ellis carried cultural significance beyond the competition. The silent dance to “Symphony” became a widely discussed moment in British television, prompting conversations about accessibility and representation in entertainment. It also earned the couple a BAFTA, a rare honour for a reality competition routine.
The decision to leave the UK version of Strictly in 2024, while accompanied by media speculation, allowed Pernice to return to live performance and explore opportunities in Italy. His victory on Ballando con le Stelle later that year demonstrated that his appeal and skill translate across borders. The move has positioned him as a genuinely international dance personality.
Where do the facts come from?
“Giovanni was born in Sicily and knew from a young age that he wanted to dance.”
– BBC Profile
“Giovanni Pernice (born 5 September 1990) is an Italian professional dancer based in the United Kingdom.”
– Wikipedia
“SCD champion ✓ SCD live tour champion ✓ The end of our @bbcstrictly journey but…”
– Instagram, @giovannipernice
The information in this article draws on multiple sources including the official BBC profile, Giovanni Pernice’s verified Instagram account, his publisher’s listing on Google Books, and independent dance statistics sites. Where sources present conflicting or incomplete information, that has been noted in the text.
What’s next for Giovanni Pernice?
Giovanni Pernice is set to continue touring the UK and Ireland with his own live show. His memoir, Gio: Taking the Lead, is scheduled for release in August 2026 via Headline. He remains a key professional on Ballando con le Stelle, the Italian version of Strictly, and is partnering TV host Francesca Fialdini for the 2025 series. His social media presence, particularly on Instagram, remains active with dance content and updates on his performances.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Giovanni Pernice’s Instagram handle?
His official Instagram handle is @giovannipernice, where he has 1 million followers.
How old is Giovanni Pernice?
He was born on 5 September 1990, making him 35 as of 2025.
Has Giovanni Pernice won Strictly Come Dancing?
Yes, he won the 2021 series with partner Rose Ayling-Ellis.
Who is Giovanni Pernice’s current partner?
He is in a relationship with Italian actress and singer Bianca Guaccero.
What is Ballando con le Stelle?
It is the Italian version of Strictly Come Dancing. Pernice won the 2024 series with Bianca Guaccero and is a lead professional on the show.
Does Giovanni Pernice have a book?
Yes, his memoir Gio: Taking the Lead is published by Headline and scheduled for release on 27 August 2026.
What is Giovanni Pernice’s height?
He is approximately 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) tall, though exact figures vary across sources.
Is Giovanni Pernice still on Strictly Come Dancing?
No, he departed the UK version in 2024 after nine series. He now appears on the Italian version, Ballando con le Stelle.
Has Giovanni Pernice ever been married?
There is no public record of Giovanni Pernice having been married.
Where was Giovanni Pernice born?
He was born in Sicily, Italy, on 5 September 1990.
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