Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Katie Wilson

Strictly's Giovanni Pernice unrecognisable in childhood snap as he slams lothario reputation

Giovanni Pernice has slammed his lothario reputation as he shared a throwback photo of himself as a child.

The Strictly Come Dancing pro took to Instagram to post the nostalgic snap from when he was seven years old.

Recreating the look today – complete with yellow bum bag - the 31-year-old Italian dance champion is world’s away from the once chubby youngster.

In an interview with The Guardian, Giovanni joked he was “probably carrying sweets” in the bum bag in the photo as he admitted he loved eating lasagne and pizza as a kid.

And he said he isn’t the “lothario” everyone thinks he is – and claims it is all down to acting which is a part of his job.

Giovanni shared this throwback snap from when he was seven (Instagram)
The pro dancer looks very different these days (Getty Images)

Get all the biggest showbiz news straight to your inbox. Sign up for the free Mirror Showbiz newsletter.

Setting the record straight, Giovanni explained: “Because of how I look, and because I’m Italian, there is a stereotype of a lothario that sometimes follows me around.

“I like flirting, but because I am a dancer as well it amplifies the whole ‘charmer’ persona. What people don’t consider is that this is something I do for a living – as well as dancing, it’s acting.

“If you see me do a good Argentinian tango, it means my partner and I are performing the right parts with enough emotion.”

He added he finds the tabloid gossip about his love life “funny” as they “don’t know what they’re talking about most of the time”.

Giovanni in an intimate dance with Rose on last year's Strictly (PA)
The pair went on to win the show together (BBC/Guy Levy)

The last woman Giovanni was publicly linked to was Love Island beauty Maura Higgins, who he dated for four months last year.

At the time reports claimed he was “lovestruck” by the reality star turned model and presenter and even called her ‘The One’.

A source told The Sun: “Nobody would be surprised if they end up getting married because Giovanni has been saying she is the one he wants to be with forever.”

So it was a shock when he dumped the Irish stunner just a few weeks into their relationship.

It has since been claimed he did it as he didn’t want Maura to ruin his chances of winning Strictly Come Dancing – which he did in 2021 with deaf EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis.

Gio's last girlfriend was Love Island beauty Maura Higgins (Instagram)
He has also dated Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts (Mike Marsland/WireImage)

Speaking out on the split, Giovanni issued a statement on Instagram which said: “I wanted to say a couple of things...

“Firstly, great relationships with great people can come to a natural end. This has been the case for me recently.

“There was absolutely no wrong-doing and this should be the end of any speculation. Whilst I respect and understand interest in my personal life, wouldn’t it be fantastic to instead use this space to raise awareness of subjects and issues which need the attention.”

Maura was said to be “devastated” by the split, especially as it came after they had talked about moving in together.

In the past Giovanni has also dated former Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts and ex Corrie star Georgia May Foote.

He has also been linked with former TOWIE star Jess Wright in the past and recently hit the headlines for enjoying dates with Love Island 2022 star Tasha Ghouri earlier this year.

Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at webcelebs@trinitymirror.com or call us direct 0207 29 33033.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.