Strictly Come Dancing’s Giovanni Pernis is reportedly a same-sex dancing couple favorite for this year’s upcoming BBC series.
The 31-year-old Italian professional dancer is likely to be paired with Radio 2 DJ Richie Anderson, who has already confirmed that she will be paired with a man.
It comes as Loose Women star and recently announced celebrity contestant Kay Adams has revealed that she would like to pair up with a gay dance partner on the show.
Thriller: Strictly’s Giovanni Pernis reportedly favorited in a same-sex dancing couple for upcoming BBC series this year
Last year’s same-sex coupling was between 33-year-old Bake Off star John White and 35-year-old Johannes Radebe, and they finished as runner-up to Giovanni and fellow EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis.
A year ago there was a lesbian couple between dancer Katya Jones and boxer Nicola Adams.
Giovanni told The Sun about their potential pairing: ‘If the production guys come up to me and say ‘Listen Giovanni we’d love for you to partner with a man’, I’d say ‘yes’.
‘It will give me a chance to challenge myself with new routines, you have to think more about it. I like to challenge myself.
Having her say: It comes as Loose Women star and recently announced celebrity contestant Kay Adams has revealed she would like to pair up with a gay dance partner on the show.
A source in the publication added: ‘Giovanni is really up to the challenge and wants to show fans that he can dance with a man as well as a woman.
‘He is extremely competitive and had a lot of ideas for choreography.’
Strictly speaking and a representative for Giovanni has been contacted by MailOnline for a comment.
It comes after earlier this week, DJ Richie, 34, revealed that he would be joining the 2022 series during his radio show, and the current line-up includes Coronation Street stars Will Mailer and Kim Marsh, Kaye and comedian Jayde. Adams will join.
The plan: The 31-year-old Italian professional dancer will likely partner with Radio 2 DJ Richie Anderson (pictured), who has already confirmed that she will be partnering with a man.
The former Sunday League footballer – who went viral in 2018 when he came out as gay to his teammates at Combs Wood FC in an emotional documentary – said it was an ‘above’ to be part of the show’s all-male partnership. Massive respect’.
He said in a release: ‘It’s like a dream come true! I can’t wait to join those glamping and glamping at the world’s most famous dance floor! Strictly is the ultimate feel good show, it’s just pure escapism as soon as I hear that iconic theme tune.
‘I have to cancel my legendary ‘Strictly’ launch night kitchen party that I throw every year, I’m sure my friends and family will understand.
Chuffed: The former Sunday League footballer said this week it is a ‘huge honour’ to be part of the show’s all-male partnership
He added: ‘It’s also a great honor to be part of an all-male dance partnership, it’s so important that we get to be part of such a big show.’
Meanwhile, Scottish TV star Kaye, 59, has revealed that she would like to be in a couple with a gay dance partner.
He said Mirror: ‘I don’t want heterosexual.
‘I’d feel embarrassed for them – because a young, hot heterosexual would be like he’s dancing with his mom.
Talented: Last year’s series saw Great British Bake Off star Jon Waite with pro Johannes Radebe the show’s first all-man partnership – with doubles reaching the finals
‘But if I can find a good gay boy, he’ll be fine dancing with his mother.’
She said she fears she might be dropped after the first week due to her lack of dancing skills, but plans to make the most of her time on the show.
Kaye went on to explain that she felt ‘afraid’ about doing the show and everything inside of her wanted to say no to the proposal – but she wanted to push herself.
In 2018, Richie famously came out as gay to his Sunday League football teammates during a feature for The One Show that explored homophobia in the sport.
Groundbreaking: 2020 saw the show’s first same-sex pairing with boxers Nicola Adams and Katya Jones – although both had to withdraw after Katya caught Covid
The team knew that Richie was filming a piece for the daily BBC One programme, but it was not until he sat them in the locker room after the match that they learned that he was seeing the issues of being gay in grassroots football. Used to be.
Richie began, ‘One of the big issues we’ve looked at this week, that’s really close to my heart, is homophobia in football.
‘The reason this means a lot to me – I’m a gay footballer. So I just wanted to be open and honest with you. Class has just happened.
‘It’s really hard for me to do that…’, before his teammates applaud him.
Richie said he was ‘so, very relieved. I can’t even tell you.’
He continued: ‘I expected it because they are a good group of boys. It probably helped that I scored as well, but I’m very relieved.
‘The main thing is, I hope people are watching this who are in the same boat I was in, and they’re thinking, ‘You know what? I can do that too.”
Hopes: Meanwhile, Scottish TV star Kaye, 59, has revealed that she would like to be in a couple with a gay dance partner. She told The Mirror: ‘I don’t want heterosexuals. I’d feel embarrassed for him – as a young man, the hot heterosexual would be like he’s dancing with his mom’
