Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni Pernice reportedly revealed that he would love the opportunity to dance with a man.
The ballroom and Latin pro won the coveted Glitterball Trophy alongside EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis last year, and he’s ready for a new year of glitz and glamour.
After Great British Bake Off winner John Whaite and Johannes Radabe received heaps of praise from fans during season 19 for pushing boundaries as part of an all-male couple on the show, Giovanni expressed his hopes of being in a same-sex couple ahead of series 20.
‘If the production people come to me and say “listen Giovanni we’d love you to be partnered with a man” I’d say “yes,”‘ he said.
I am more than ready to be partnered with a man. It would give me a chance to challenge myself with new routines, you have to think more about it,’ he added to The Sun.
A source told the publication: ‘Giovanni is really keen for the challenge and wants to show fans he can dance just as well with a man as with a woman.
‘He is extremely competitive and already has lots of ideas for the choreography.’
Metro.co.uk understands that the pairing have not been confirmed yet.
This comes after it was confirmed that Radio 2 and The One Show favourite Richie Anderson will be dancing with a male professional.
‘Strictly is the ultimate feel-good show, as soon as I hear that iconic theme tune it’s just pure escapism,’ he said.
‘I’m going to have to cancel my legendary Strictly launch night kitchen party that I throw every year, I’m sure my friends and family will understand.
‘It’s also a massive honour to be part of an all-male dance partnership, it’s so important we have that inclusion on such a huge show.’
This year’s series welcomes four new professional dancers to the show too, as Strictly marks its biggest-ever pro cast with the addition of Vito Coppola, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley and Michelle Tsiakkas.
So far, Will Mellor, Kym Marsh, Kaye Adams, Richie, Jayde Adams and Ellie Simmonds have been confirmed.
Metro.co.uk has reached out to BBC and Giovanni Pernice’s reps for comment.
Strictly Come Dancing returns later this year to BBC One.
