Strictly Come Dancing 2024 star speaks out about Giovanni Pernice romance-Kitty Chrisp-Entertainment – Metro

Tasha Ghouri has spoken out about her historic fling with Giovanni Pernice in a new interview (Picture: BBC)

Love Island’s Tasha Ghouri has opened up about her historic fling with former Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni Pernice.

The 26-year-old reality TV star was announced as part of the 2024 star-studded lineup, and has spoken out about her ‘ancient history’ with Pernice, who left the BBC show earlier this year.

His departure came as Sherlock actress – and his former dance partner from 2023 – Amanda Abbington claimed Giovanni exhibited ‘bullying’ behaviour towards her, which he strenuously denies saying he’s looking forward to clearing his name.

The results of an investigation into claims made against him by Abbington are said to be now just days away from being published.

Amid the drama, when questioned about her former flame in a new interview, Tasha – who is still with Love Island partner Andrew Le Page two years on – remained pretty diplomatic and was reluctant to spill too many beans on their history.

‘I’ve met up with him a few times,’ Tasha admitted to The Sun. ‘But that was years ago. We are not in touch now, this is like ancient history.

Tasha and Gionvanni met up a few times years ago (Picture: PA)

This comes after Pernice was accused of ‘bullying’ behaviour by former Strictly partner Amanda Abbington (Picture: PA)

‘I’m so happy with Andrew, and he’s my future, so I don’t want to talk about the past.’

‘It’s not my place to comment on [the allegations against Giovanni]. I’m here for my own experiences. I’m here just for me.’

It is believed Tasha dated former dancing pro Giovanni Pernice for a few months in January 2022 after he won Strictly with Rose Ayling-Ellis, and before she met and settled down with fellow Islander Andrew Le Page that year.

Tasha – who used to be a dancer – has garnered a dedicated fan base since her appearance on Love Island, in which she was the first-ever deaf contestant to appear on season eight of the ITV2 dating show,

When it was rumoured Tasha would be announced as a contestant for the 2024 series, a source told the outlet the ‘Giovanni link is unfortunate’ but Tasha is a ‘gorgeous girl who deserves this amazing opportunity’.

Tasha is still with her Love Island beau Andrew Le Page (Picture: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

In the years leading up to her appearance, Tasha took a Gen-Z approach to praying for the Strictly call-up, as has she ‘manifested’ it happening since leaving the Love Island villa.

As per her chat with The Sun, Tasha would even write on her notes app: ‘I will be on Strictly Come Dancing in 2024 or 2025.’

Explaining how she broke down in tears on hearing the news, Tasha added: ‘I’ve been [writing the notes] since February 2023 as a manifestation, and it must have worked!’

This comes as Pernice signed up for a new TV show – Ballando con le Stelle – the Italian version of Strictly Come Dancing.

The new job opportunity has ‘delighted’ Pernice, who took to social media to thank fans for their support.

A source told the Daily Mail: ‘The deadline has been looming and the BBC has been on pause with its result but the Ballando bosses love him, they adore him, and they have now signed him.’

The publication reports that show bosses were waiting to sign him until the results of the investigation were published, which was ‘absolutely horrendous’ for Pernice, who felt ‘in limbo’. However, their change of heart has left Pernice ecstatic.

The pair met on the 2022 show and are still going strong (Picture: Matt Frost/ITV/Shutterstock)

Abbington and two other women made accusations of misconduct against Pernice, which led to him stepping down from the show after several years.

Following her premature exit from the show, citing ‘personal reasons’ at the time, Amanda claimed her experience left her with PTSD.

Pernice joined Strictly in 2014, and so was the series’ longest-serving male dancer until it was confirmed he wouldn’t be back in June.

Meanwhile, Strictly professional Graziano di Prima was also accused of having ‘kick and hit’ celebrity partner Zara McDermott, 27, during rehearsals while they were training for the 2023 season.

However, he claimed his foot ‘brushed’ McDermott after he ‘kicked the floor in frustration’ due to the ‘pressure of the show.’

He is no longer in the professional line-up for 2024.

Meanwhile, 2024’s celebrity line-up includes comedian Chris McCausland, JLS star JB Gill, opera singer Wynne Evans, singer Toyah Willcox, BBC’s Morning Live’s Dr Punam Krishan, The Only Way Is Essex star Pete Wicks, singer Shayne Ward, and Miranda actress Sarah Hadland.

Also competing against Tasha are EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick, Olympic swimmer Tom Dean, Gladiators star Montell Douglas, DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles, broadcaster Paul Merson, and former pro hockey player Sam Quek.

Strictly Come Dancing will return on BBC One and BBC iPlayer later this year.

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