Are Ashley and Gio Strictly romancing?
POP star Ashley Roberts is dating Italian dancer Giovanni Pernice, as another romance blossoms on Strictly, it was claimed last night.
The duo, who are not paired together, are said to be meeting up regularly and sources said there was a definite “spark”.
An BBC show insider said: “He is training up North at the moment while she is based down here, so they only get to see each other towards the end of the week. But they’ve been making the most of it.
“After the show each week they’ve been heading out for drinks together in London and just hanging out and looking very cosy.
“It’s very early days but it looks like things are going well – and of course they’re both single so it’s all totally innocent fun.”
Former Pussycat Doll Ashley, 37, is partnered with dancer Pasha Kovalev, 38, the boyfriend of Countdown presenter Rachel Riley.
Ashley has previously dated I’m A Celebrity host Declan Donnelly.
Giovanni, 28, has earned a reputation as the “sexiest man on Strictly” and has been a hit with viewers and the show’s cast and crew since he joined in 2015.
This year he has been paired with twice-married Steps singer Faye Tozer, 42.
The Sicilian has previously romanced former Coronation Street actress Georgia May Foote during their run to the final in his first year on the show. That relationship forced her to break up with Corrie co-star Sean Ward.
News of Ashley and Giovanni’s possible romance comes just weeks after comedian Seann Walsh, 32, and his Russian dance partner Katya Jones were forced to issue grovelling apologies after being caught kissing in public.
Both were in relationships and Seann was later dumped by actress Rebecca Humphries, who tweeted that she was keeping their pet cat.
After the incident London-born funnyman Seann described it as a “one-off drunken mistake which I am truly sorry for”.
Katya, who is married to Strictly choreographer Neil Jones, said: “I’m so sorry about any offence or hurt I may have caused with my actions.
“I wasn’t thinking and it was a one-off mistake after some drinks.
“I love my husband and we are very happy together – this is not a reflection on our relationship.”