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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Victoria Johns

Strictly Lothario Giovanni Pernice 'finally ready' to settle down with Maura Higgins

Strictly Come Dancing's Giovanni Pernice is reportedly ready to settle down with girlfriend Maura Higgins.

The Love Island alumna has been dating Giovanni for months and things are said to be getting serious between the pair.

A source told Closer magazine: "Gio's never felt this way before. He's totally lovestruck by Maura. He can see them together for life, which is why he's considering the next step and proposing.

"Maura and Gio are both in their thirties, and are at a point where they feel ready to settle down."

Giovanni went Insta official with Maura shortly before the new series of Strictly Come Dancing.

Fans would be forgiven for thinking the curse of Strictly would strike again as the dancer was rumoured to have previously romanced Coronation Street actress Katie McGlynn, who left the BBC talent show on the weekend.

Giovanni, who is paired with Eastenders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis on the show, has had Strictly romances before.

He previously dated his former celebrity dance partner Georgia May Foote and prior to Maura, and it seems his last relationship was with Pussycat Dolls star Ashley Roberts.

Giovanni is partnered with Rose Ayling-Ellis on Strictly (BBC)

The pair met while competing in Strictly back in 2018.

However speaking of the Strictly curse, Giovanni told Hello magazine: "Maura is absolutely fine, in the sense that it's not a curse, I'm going to dance with my celeb, and she will be supporting me all the way.

"Realistically, if you're happy in your relationship there is no reason for the curse. If you're happy with your wife or with your husband, you wouldn't go on Strictly to cheat."

Maura posted a sweet tribute to her boyfriend ahead of his and Rose's first live show last week.

"The very best of luck to you beauties tonight. I know you will absolutely smash it @rose.ae @giovannipernice," she wrote alongside a picture of her boyfriend and the actress.

She later took to Instagram sharing a sweet note Giovanni had left for her ahead of his Strictly performance, which read: "I love you so much. Ti ado di piu!! Yours forever."

Corrie's Georgia May Foote dated Giovanni after meeting on Strictly (PA)

Ti ado di piu means I adore you more in Italian.

The happy couple regularly post loved up pics of each other, which are always met with a flurry of support from fans.

Flooding the comments full of heart emojis, one follower gushed over a pic of the pair: "Flipping nora. Imagine your babies."

Another said: "Another penned: "You sexy couple you two."

While a third gushed: "Ahh so cute. love love the two of you!"

The Mirror has contacted Giovanni's reps for comment.

Strictly Come Dancing airs Saturday and Sunday evenings on BBC One

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