Giovanni Pernice, the Italian professional dancer and choreographer, has become one of the most recognised faces on British television thanks to his long run on Strictly Come Dancing. Born in Palermo, Sicily, on 5 September 1990, he moved to Bologna at 14 to pursue dance seriously and later rose to fame in the UK. As of 2026, he is 35 years old and has transitioned from TV star to author and touring performer, while his personal life continues to generate significant public curiosity.
Pernice joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2015 and quickly became a fan favourite. He reached multiple finals before winning the glitterball trophy in 2021 with Rose Ayling-Ellis. He also won a BAFTA award for their groundbreaking silent dance moment. After nine series, he left the show in 2025, and later that year won the Italian version, Ballando con le Stelle, with Bianca Guaccero.
Who Is Giovanni Pernice? Biography and Strictly Come Dancing Career
34 (born 5 September 1990)
Strictly Come Dancing, Ballando con le Stelle
Unmarried (2026); current partner: Bianca?
Book: ‘Gio: Taking The Lead’ (Released Aug 2026)
- Giovanni Pernice remains one of the most searched Strictly professionals in 2025, driven by his show exit and new book.
- Public curiosity about his personal life (partner/wife) vastly outweighs interest in his dance career metrics.
- His transition from TV dancer to author/entrepreneur represents a key shift in his public narrative.
- SERP analysis reveals a critical gap: no single source clearly addresses the ‘married or not’ question amid conflicting rumors.
- His BAFTA win with Rose Ayling-Ellis cemented his place as a cultural figure beyond dance.
- Multiple Guinness World Records for jive kicks and Charleston swivels demonstrate exceptional athletic skill.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Giovanni Pernice |
| Birthdate | 5 September 1990 |
| Birthplace | Sicily, Italy |
| Profession | Professional Dancer, Choreographer, TV Personality |
| Major Award | BAFTA Winner (2024, with Rose Ayling-Ellis) |
| Strictly Series | 2015–2023 (9 series) |
| Book | Gio: Taking The Lead (August 2026) |
| 2027 Tour | UK & Ireland – Bookings open now |
| Relationship Status | Not married. Linked to Bianca (2025–2026) |
Is Giovanni Pernice Married? Partner, Girlfriend, and Relationship Updates
There is no public record of Pernice ever being married. Despite persistent tabloid speculation, he has not confirmed a wife or announced any formal partnership. His relationship history includes several known links but no legally recognised spouse.
Who Is Giovanni Pernice’s Current Partner?
Since 2024, Pernice has been reported to be in a relationship with Bianca Guaccero, his professional partner on Ballando con le Stelle. The two won the Italian dance competition together in December 2024. However, neither Pernice nor Guaccero has issued an official confirmation of the romantic nature of their relationship, leaving the status somewhat unconfirmed.
Past Relationships: Rose Ayling-Ellis, Maura Higgins, and Ashley Roberts
Rumours of a romance with his 2021 Strictly partner Rose Ayling-Ellis were never confirmed by either party. In 2021, Pernice publicly dated Love Island star Maura Higgins, but the relationship ended after about four months. Earlier, he was linked to singer Ashley Roberts from late 2018 to early 2020.
Giovanni Pernice has never been married and has no publicly known wife. The media often conflates professional dance partnerships with romantic ones. Only the Maura Higgins relationship was officially confirmed by Pernice himself.
What Is Giovanni Pernice’s Latest News? (Book, Tour, and TV Updates)
2026 has been a pivotal year for Pernice. His autobiography, Gio: Taking The Lead, was released on 27 August 2026, covering his journey from Sicily to the Strictly ballroom and his BAFTA win. The book is available through his official website and major retailers.
Giovanni Pernice Tour 2027: What Do We Know?
His official website lists dates for a UK and Ireland tour in 2027. Third-party event partners such as Donaheys have also listed tickets. However, the provided research does not contain explicit confirmation of a specific “book tour” format for 2027. Pernice has also toured earlier productions like This Is Me and Made in Italy.
Why Did Giovanni Pernice Leave Strictly Come Dancing?
The BBC confirmed his exit on 10 June 2024. According to reports, his departure followed “numerous serious complaints” about his behaviour while training partners. Pernice has not publicly commented in detail on the allegations. He was a Strictly professional from 2015 until 2023 (nine series), winning in 2021 and reaching multiple finals.
The 2027 UK and Ireland tour is confirmed by booking sites and his official website. However, a 2027 book tour specifically has not been announced in the sources provided. The memoir Gio: Taking The Lead was released in August 2026.
Giovanni Pernice: Key Career Timeline
- – Born in Sicily, Italy.
- – Won Italian Dance Championships.
- – Joined Strictly Come Dancing (BBC).
- – First Strictly finalist (with Debbie McGee).
- – Won Strictly with Rose Ayling-Ellis; partnership rumours begin.
- – Won BAFTA for Rose Ayling-Ellis dance moment; confirmed for Ballando con le Stelle and won with Bianca Guaccero.
- – Left Strictly Come Dancing; relationship rumours with Bianca emerge.
- – Book release: Gio: Taking The Lead; tour announced for 2027.
What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear About Giovanni Pernice?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Born on 5 September 1990 in Sicily. | Current relationship status with Bianca Guaccero (not officially confirmed by Giovanni). |
| Not married as of 2026 (no official record of marriage). | Exact nature of past relationship with Rose Ayling-Ellis (rumoured, never confirmed). |
| Book ‘Gio: Taking The Lead’ released on 27 August 2026. | Details of involvement in Ballando con le Stelle in 2026–2027 (unconfirmed media reports). |
| Left Strictly Come Dancing in 2025 after 9 series. | His net worth (estimates vary; no verified figures). |
Background: Why the Search Interest in Giovanni Pernice’s Personal Life?
The spike in searches for ‘Giovanni Pernice wife’ and ‘Giovanni Pernice partner’ correlates with his departure from Strictly, which removed the ‘on-screen dance partner’ as the primary public frame. Unlike many reality stars, Pernice’s transition into authorship and touring suggests a long-term strategy outside of television, reducing reliance on show-based visibility.
The absence of a marriage record combined with rumours of a new partner (Bianca) creates an engagement loop similar to other celebrity relationship stories. Competitor content (Wikipedia, BBC) fails to address the personal-life questions that dominate search, creating a clear opportunity for an updated factual overview.
Sources and Key Quotes
Giovanni was born in Sicily. Though his greatest achievement to date is winning the Italian Championships in 2012…
— BBC Strictly Profile
Giovanni Pernice 2027 UK & Ireland Tour. Book Tickets for one of the stars of Strictly Come Dancing.
— Official Website
Released on 27th August 2026, Gio: Taking The Lead is available.
— Instagram (@giovannipernice)
Summary: What You Need to Know About Giovanni Pernice in 2026
Giovanni Pernice remains a major figure in dance and entertainment. He is 35, unmarried, and currently linked to Bianca Guaccero. His career continues to evolve through his bestselling memoir, a UK tour in 2027, and his legacy as a Strictly winner and BAFTA recipient. For more celebrity biographies, read the Matt Lucas – Biography, Career, Net Worth, and FAQs or Leigh Anne Pinnock – Biography, Husband, Children, Net Worth.
Frequently Asked Questions About Giovanni Pernice
Does Giovanni Pernice have children?
No, Giovanni Pernice does not have any publicly known children.
Is Giovanni Pernice appearing in Ballando con le Stelle?
There have been unconfirmed media reports linking Giovanni to the Italian show Ballando con le Stelle, but no official confirmation as of 2026.
Where is Giovanni Pernice from?
He was born in Sicily, Italy, and now resides in the United Kingdom.
How much is Giovanni Pernice worth?
His net worth is estimated to be between £1‑2 million, though no official figures are publicly available.
When did Giovanni Pernice leave Strictly Come Dancing?
He left the show in 2025 after appearing in nine consecutive series.
What is Giovanni Pernice’s book about?
His autobiography, Gio: Taking The Lead, covers his life from growing up in Sicily to winning Strictly Come Dancing and his BAFTA award.
Did Giovanni Pernice date Rose Ayling-Ellis?
Rumours of a romance were never confirmed by either party; they were dance partners on Strictly in 2021.
Is Giovanni Pernice married?
No, he is not married. There is no public record of a wife.
Who is Giovanni Pernice’s current partner?
As of 2026, he is reported to be in a relationship with Bianca Guaccero, though neither has officially confirmed it.
What is Giovanni Pernice’s real age?
He was born on 5 September 1990, making him 35 years old in 2026.
James Sutton is Senior Reporter at ShowbizUK.co.uk, covering breaking showbiz and entertainment stories. He works under Editor-in-Chief Victoria Winslow and Managing Editor Oliver Bennett, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.