Gio has even dated some of his former co-stars

IT’S far to say it has been a rocky year for Giovanni Pernice which has seen him leave his job on Strictly Come Dancing.

But away from sensationally quitting the BBC One show, the professional dancer also frequently makes the headlines with his love life too.

8

Giovanni Pernice and his girlfriend Molly BrownCredit: Instagram

Who is Giovanni Pernice dating?

Since February 2024, Giovanni Pernice has been enjoying a romance with boxing ring girl Molly Brown.

The pair went Instagram official with a loved up selfie and have been smitten ever since.

A source told The Mirror back in February 2024: “Giovanni and Molly met a few weeks ago, and though it is very early days, things seem to be going well between them.

“He has been keeping things quiet because he didn’t want too much pressure on as they’re getting to know each other.”

Who has Giovanni Pernice dated?

Jowita Przystal

8

Giovanni dated Strictly co-star Jowita PrystalCredit: BBC Press Handout
Gio split from fellow pro dancer Jowita Przystal in March 2023.

Pals revealed how the pair chose to end their relationship after falling for one another during the 2022 series of the Strictly.

A source said: “Giovanni and Jowita enjoyed a number of dates after the last series of Strictly and they got on really well.

“But as time has passed they have found it increasingly difficult to build on their relationship because of their hectic work schedules.

“Giovanni is on tour for the next five months and trying to make time for each other has proved absolutely impossible.

“Although their relationship has ended Giovanni and Jowita said they will stay good friends.

“It is just a shame they couldn’t make it work.”

Tasha Ghouri

8

Gio took Love Island star Tasha Ghouri out for dinner datesCredit: Rex
Shortly before Tasha Ghouri shot to fame on Love Island, she shared several dinner dates with Gio.

It came after Sicilian dancer had just won Strictly with Rose Ayling-Ellis.

Gio and Tasha connected via Instagram and messaged for months before they shared some dates in January 2022.

Their fling was said to have ended due to him being on the Strictly tour.

In August 2024, it was revealed that Tasha was part of the Strictly Come Dancing 2024 line-up.

Maura Higgins

8

Maura Higgins dated Giovanni for four monthsCredit: Instagram
Giovanni secretly dated Love Island star Maura Higgins for weeks before going public in July 2021.

But the pair called time on their romance four months later.

They had a series of heart-to-heart talks, during which the dancer admitted he “wasn’t ready to settle down” to with Maura, who found fame on Love Island.

A source told The Sun at the time: “Maura didn’t see this coming and is finding it very difficult to come to terms with. She genuinely thought Gio was the one.”

Ashley Roberts

8

Ashley Roberts was Giovanni’s longest lasting relationship so farCredit: PA
Giovanni also enjoyed a romance with Pussycat Dolls star Ashley Roberts.

They met after she took part in Strictly back in 2018.

They went on to date for a year, before calling time on their romance in January 2020.

Jess Wright

8

The pair started dating after they met through Jessica’s brother MarkCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Giovanni met Jessica Wright through her brother Mark Wright when he was on Strictly in 2017.

But after posting a series of loved up snaps on social media, they parted ways six months later.

At the time sources claimed Giovanni was struggling to cope with Jess’ level of fame.

But their break-up appeared to turn bitter when the pair were spotted rowing at the Pride of Britain awards in 2018.

Jess later insisted their argument was just “passion” and that the couple hadn’t seen each other since their split.

Katie McGlynn

8

Katie McGlynn was linked to GiovanniCredit: Getty

Ex Coronation Street actress Katie McGlynn was romantically linked to the Italian stallion in 2017.

The TV star has always played down the romance and previously told The Sun: “They were trying to make it look like I was trying to have her boyfriend and I really wasn’t, even though they weren’t together any more, just because he’d dated another Corrie actress at some point.

“I was quite upset about it because I’d not done anything. It was blown up out of all proportion.”

Georgia May Foote

8

Georgia and Giovanni met on Strictly Come dancing when she had a boyfriendCredit: Getty – Contributor
Giovanni started dating Georgia in 2015 after they were paired together on Strictly Come Dancing.

When she joined the show she was dating Coronation Street co-star Sean Ward but they split just before she made the final.

Giovanni confirmed their romance after the show ended and the pair posted a series of loved-up snaps.

At the time Georgia told the Daily Mail: “Gio is everything to me. I’m 100 per cent happy with Gio. He’s smitten and I’m the same. We trust each other. We fell in love as friends before anything happened.”

But their romance didn’t go the distance and they split in 2016 with both parties claiming there was no one else involved.

Georgia issued a statement on Twitter which read: “Although it was not an easy decision to make sometimes you realise that it is better to be friends and this is one of those times.

“We both have very busy work schedules for the rest of the year so we are both going to focus on our upcoming work projects and we wish each other well in the future.”

Does Giovanni Pernice have children?

As of 2024, Giovanni doesn’t have any children.

Speaking on Anton and Giovanni’s Adventures In Sicily, he shared that he does want a family one day – but needs to find the right person first.

Speaking to Anton Du Beke he said: “My mum asks me questions constantly, ‘Giovanni what is the situation?’

“Because every time I date a girl I always tell her and say “What do you think about this? What do you think about her?

“She always asks, ‘Is she The One. You know I want a baby before I pass away? Of course, I want a family one day. You just have to find the right person first.'”

Giovanni Pernice Strictly scandal timeline

October 2023: Amanda abruptly withdraws from Strictly having already missed one live show. Her departure is announced in a vague BBC statement that ‘wishes her the best’.

Giovanni posts a short message on social media addressing the exit, which read: “Amanda… I am so sad we can’t continue but I am proud of what we achieved and I am sending you so much love.”

Amanda then shares her own farewell statement on Instagram thanking co-stars but failing to mention Gio.

Giovanni’s dad Piero insists there were no signs of a fall out and the pairing could have gone all the way. He praised his son as kind and polite.

November 2023: Giovanni is reportedly gutted by the situation and is considering his Strictly future as questions are raised about his conduct.

January 2024: Amanda’s PTSD diagnosis comes to light and she demands CCTV from rehearsals to prove that Giovanni’s training methods weren’t acceptable.

The BBC issues a statement defending its duty of care to contestants, insisting it takes any claims of wrongdoing very seriously.

The Corporation stands by its man after emergency meeting

March 2024: Giovanni publicly states he has no intention of leaving Strictly in a TV interview with close pal Anton du Beke.

Ranvir Singh and Laura Whitmore enter the picture. Allegedly the two celebs, who were both previously partnered with Giovanni on Strictly, didn’t feel the BBC took their issues with his methods seriously enough.

The pair have a closed meeting with Amanda where tears are said to be shed.

May 2024: We reveal Giovanni is leaving the programme after having talks with show bosses

He leaves the country with girlfriend Molly Brown on holiday

The BBC launches an internal investigation after three complainants instruct lawyers. A source describes it as a “nightmare situation”.