Giovanni Pernice, from Strictly Come Dancing, is said to have already set his sights on one participant in particular, with whom he believes he can win his second series.
The 32-year-old Italian dancer has competed on the BBC One show since 2015, winning the glitterball trophy with EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis in 2021 and a Bafta TV award for their remarkable silent dance.
Despite recuperating from a terrible injury, he’s now preparing to return to the ballroom with a fresh crop of hopefuls including Amanda Abbington, Angela Rippon, Les Dennis, and Adam Thomas, with rehearsals already begun.
But Giovanni has his sights set on one specific competitor.
A source said: ‘Giovanni’s really excited about this year’s line-up, and naturally, like many of the pros, he’s keen to win.
‘Many of them are hoping to be paired up with Zara, who is one of the early favourites.’
The insider added to Closer magazine: ‘She’s really into her fitness so will be able to handle the gruelling schedule and, as fans can already see from her social media, she can dance.
‘He’d love to win the show a second time, and he reckons Zara could be a good bet.’
Previous speculations said that Zara, the first Strictly participant from the reality dating show, may be matched with Graziano Di Prima or Neil Jones.
Her lover, Sam Thompson, is unconcerned about a curse.
Despite the fact that their relationship has been strained by infidelity in the past, Sam, 31, is unconcerned.
Zara had an affair with music entrepreneur Brahim Fouradi during her stint on X Factor: Celebrity, and the couple temporarily split three years ago.
‘She was 22… so f***ing young,’ Sam said.
‘You know when you look at them and you go, “She ain’t going to do that again” I could see in her face.
“You can just tell when someone has a beautiful heart and a beautiful soul and just f***ed up,’ he added when speaking to The Mirror.
He elsewhere joked about Zara having an affair on the show, hinting at her partner.
The podcast host and TV personality, who has been dating Zara since 2019, mentioned Neil during a conversation with Strictly Come Dancing veteran Fleur East.
Fleur probed: ‘The first thing I need to ask you is, are you a jealous person?’
‘If you’re off dancing with someone else, as long as I’m playing Fifa, I’m cool,’ Sam replied.
It Takes Two host Fleur went on: ‘Prepare to date a new version of your girlfriend, because honestly, she’s going to transform.
‘One week she’ll be in a waltz vibe, next week she’ll be in a salsa vibe.’
Someone else off camera chimed in: ‘Next week she’ll be in an affair with Neil.’
Resharing the post, Strictly pro Neil hinted: ‘🤣🤣🤣 don’t worry @samthompsonuk you are definitely safe with me 🤟🏻.’
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One on September 23.
Source My Celebrity Life.
