Giovanni Pernice is already tipped to do rather well on Strictly Come Dancing after being confirmed to be part of this year's all-male partnership alongside Richie Anderson.
Giovanni scored his first ever win on Strictly last year, when he and Rose Ayling-Ellis took home the Glitterball trophy after an amazing run in the competition. The reigning champions were back in the ballroom on Friday to perform their emotionally charged Viennese Waltz to Alicia Keys' Fallin'.
BBC viewers were delighted to see Rose and Giovanni back in action and then, after they received a rapturous reception from the judges and audience, Giovanni headed back behind the scenes as the identity of his celeb partner was revealed to the nation.
READ MORE: Strictly new series couples finally announced after launch delay
Richie found out that he was dancing with Giovanni as he joined Radio 2 colleague Zoe Ball in the studio and looked absolutely thrilled as Giovanni walked through the door. Richie admitted he had been hoping it would be the Italian pro he was paired up with, before remarking: "Dancing with Giovanni on Strictly, it doesn't get better than that!"
Last month it was reported that there had been some 'jealousy' behind the scenes as rumours swirled that it was Giovanni who had been put into the all-male couple this year, saying other pros were jealous as, after seeing John and Johannes make it all the way to the final last year, they knew it would be a winning combination.
Viewers are also predicting Richie and Giovanni will be a pair to watch. After seeing them perform in the first group number of the new series, one took to Twitter to post: "I'm so bloody excited for Richie and Giovanni will be cheering them on," with a second tweeting: "already obsessed with Richie and Giovanni."
Othe r Strictly couples this year include another same-sex pairing, uniting Jayde Adams with Karen Haeur; while Loose Women's Kaye Adams looked ecstatic at being partnered with Kai Widdrington, after being kept waiting right until the end of the launch show for all t be revealed.
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