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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Hana Carter

Strictly Come Dancing's Giovanni Pernice shares sweet tribute to his former partner Rose

Strictly Come Dancing's Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice show their friendship is stronger than ever as they gushed over each other on Instagram.

Rose Ayling Ellis won an award at the Visionary Honours Awards and Giovanni instantly praised his former dance partner.

The 31-year old shared a photo of Rose holding her trophy and wrote on Instagram: "Proud of you @rose.a.e" and added a red heart and rose emoji.

Rose, who won International Person Of The Year, replied to Giovanni's post: "Thank you @giovannipernice and huge congratulations for your opening last night".

Giovanni Pernice shared a photo of his former partner Rose Ayling-Ellis (rose.a.e/Instagram)
The couple became best friends during the competition (@rose.a.e/Instagram)

Rose had earlier shared a photo of her holding the award and captioned it: "Had a wonderful evening yesterday at the Visionary Honours Awards, so lovely to meet such talented and creative people! I am beyond flattered to have won the inspirational person of the year award."

"I always believe the most important people are the ones who we inspire. For me it is the deaf people who have become more confident and prouder of their identity and the hearing people who want to learn more and to do better. That is where the real change happens."

Rose made history as the first deaf person to win the competition (Rose made history as the first deaf person to win the competition)

The EastEnders actress made history by being the first deaf person to win BBC's dancing competition.

She has also campaigned tirelessly for British Sign Language to be recognised as a language.

The 27-year-old spoke of the barriers that deaf people face, and told BBC : "If I go to the doctor and there's no interpreter it means I have to bring a family member with me. But I don't want that, I want privacy."

Giovanni and Rose are still firm friends (BBC/Guy Levy)

Giovanni revealed recently that he has a photo of him and Rose dancing in his home.

The snap captured the moment they danced to Clean Bandit and Zara Larsson's Symphony - which they deliberately cut the music midway through the performance.

Rose and Giovanni then continued to dance across the ballroom floor in silence, which moved viewers to tears.

In the photo of the pair of them dancing, the words: "One moment of silence can help a community feel heard."

Italian dancer Giovanni has called the actress an "eternal" friend.

""SCD champion [tick] SCD live tour champion [tick]. The end of our @bbcstrictly journey but the beginning of an eternal friendship!!" he wrote on social media.

"I love you @rose.a.e. THANK YOU for the best 6 months of my life!"

Rose Ayling-Ellis briefly left EastEnders to compete in Strictly Come Dancing (BBC/JACK BARNES/KIERON MCCARRON)

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Rose also called her time on the show the "best decision" that she had ever made.

"Six months ago, I didn't have a clue what I signed up for and to be honest I was terrified," she explained. "Now, I know for sure that it was the best decision I have ever made, what a crazy ride and life-changing experience it has been.

"@giovannipernice, I am so grateful that you were part of my Strictly journey. Thank you for telling my story and showing everyone who I am. Our friendship is so special and lasting for sure," the actress added.

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