Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice’s once close friendship appears to have cooled over recent weeks, as the Italian dancer vows to clear his name regarding bullying allegations.

Former EastEnders actress Rose became the first deaf contestant to win the Glitterball trophy in 2021 alongside Italian pro dancer Giovanni.. The duo formed a close bond during their stint on the BB show, with many supporters dreaming of a romance blossoming from their friendship.

In the wake of Giovanni’s 2023 celebrity partner Amanda Abbington branding the dancer “nasty”, some Strictly fans had expected Rose to leap to Giovanni’s defence but the former soap star has kept mum about her former dance partner amidst ongoing investigations into his alleged misconduct behind the scenes of the BBC show.

Over the last three years, both have frequently praised each other on social media and shared glimpses of their outings together. However, the recent allegations against Giovanni have reportedly left Rose struggling to come to terms with the situation. In a further twist, Giovanni appears to have stopped liking Rose’s Instagram posts.

Rose’s latest post on the social media site, shared 16th May, saw the actress announce her latest TV role for a new BBC production. “I’m so excited to be joining William Mager’s Reunion and to be working alongside such a talented cast, whose work I have long admired. It is a very special project and an important moment for the deaf community’s representation on TV,” Rose told her followers last month.

“Well done Rose , Giovanni be proud of you for sure,” one of the star’s followers wrote underneath Rose’s update. However, despite usually being one of the first to comment on his former dance partner’s successes, Giovanni is yet to like or comment on Rose’s exciting news.

Giovanni’s 2023 celebrity partner, Amanda Abbington, 52, abruptly exited Strictly Come Dancing last year, citing health issues at the time. She later disclosed that she experienced post-traumatic stress disorder after her participation and described Giovanni as “abrasive” during their training sessions.

Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice lifted the Glitterball trophy together in 2021 ( 
Image:

Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)

The Strictly professional’s time in the competition was cut short last year when Amanda Abbington quit ( 
Image:
BBC/Guy Levy)

According to a source who talked to The Sun, Rose is having a hard time dealing with all the negative gossip regarding her colleague Giovanni. “Rose is finding the whole situation really tough. She had a really great experience with Gio so is really shocked by it all,” they shared. “She of course believes what others are saying but she is just trying to not get involved. She won’t be speaking about it publicly.”

It’s been reported that Giovanni could face legal repercussions from three other former Strictly partners for alleged “abusive behaviour”, and BBC bosses have apparently initiated an internal probe – leading Giovanni to make a public statement on Instagram. Giovanni, clearly taken aback, expressed his shock and surprise at being cast as the villain. He said he was as ‘surprised as his fans’ to discover he’s the subject of ‘abuse’ allegations in the wake of his latest run on Strictly Come Dancing.

Firmly rejecting claims of any “abusive or threatening behaviour”, he stated: “To my dear fans, you will be as surprised as I am that allegations have been made about my dance teaching methods in the media this week. Of course, I reject any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour, and I look forward to clearing my name.”

“Those who have followed my journey on Strictly Come Dancing over the last decade will know that I am passionate and competitive. No-one is more ambitious for my dance partners than me. I have always striven to help them be the very best dancers they can be. This has always come from a place of love and wanting to win – for me and my dance partners. Thank you all once again for your continued love and support! Giovanni.”