Giovanni Pernice is returning to Strictly Come Dancing with a "new" partner for the semi finals.
With the final less than two weeks away, Giovanni is still the reigning champion, having lifted the Glitterball trophy alongside EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis in 2021. Giovanni has been a favourite with fans of the BBC show since joining the ranks seven years ago, reaching the final with Georgia May Foote, Debbie McGee and Faye Tozer, before eventually tasting victory with Rose in 2021.
So it came as a surprise to many when he was axed from this year's competition after just weeks on the dancefloor.
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He and his celebrity partner Richie Anderson were sent packing after landing in the bottom two in just the second elimination of the series. Giovanni has still been a regular on the show this year, appearing in group numbers and in the audience and on Monday he told his Instagram followers he will be pairing up with Katya Jones for a performance this weekend, as reported by Chronicle Live.
Giovanni reposted a video of the two in rehearsals that Katya had uploaded to her own story, with the caption: "Guess who's dancing together again this weekend?"
Katya lasted longer in the competition than Giovanni, with her and former Arsenal defender Tony Adams even tipped to win at one point, before he withdrew due to injury after landing in the bottom two.
Just like last week's quarter final, the Strictly semi final has been shunted from its usual Saturday night slot, as the BBC opts instead to cover the World Cup quarter final. And in a first for the long-running show, its results show has been pushed back to Monday.
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