Giovanni Pernice is being tipped to bounce back from his way earlier than expected exit from Strictly Come Dancing last year, as bookies make him the early favourite to be the winning professional; this year.
Twelve months after forming a Glitterball-winning partnership with EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis, Giovanni returned to the BBC show last year, as one half of an all make couple, alongside Radio 2 and One Show presenter Richie Edwards. However, unlike a year earlier, the partnership didn't get the high scores four time Strictly finalist Giovanni and, after an improvement in their scores in week two, Giovanni and Richie found themselves in the dance-off a week later and were the second couple to be sent packing by the judges in 2022.
Many fans were gutted over Giovanni and Richie being voted out so soon, with the Italian pro rarely seen on screen after his exit, other than in group numbers and alongside Katya Jones as they danced for Lewis Capaldi's guest appearance.
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While the line-up for this year's Strictly is still way off being confirmed, with the first stars expected to be revealed next month at the earliest, bookies already putting their faith in Giovanni coming back strong, with online betting community OLBG putting him at 8/1 to be the winning professional in December, ahead of Johannes on 9/1 and the highest placed female, Dianne Buswell on 10/1.
Giovanni has been going great guns so far this year, opting to turn down the Strictly live tour in order to travel the country on his own Made in Italy show, playing to packed ut audiences all over the UK and Ireland, including at London's iconic London Palladium.
And he's already confirmed that he'll miss the Strictly tour again next year, to take his 'biggest production yet' Let Me Entertain You, on the road.
