Ashley Roberts breaks silence on Giovanni Pernice dating rumours

Ashley Roberts has finally addressed the rumours she has struck up a relationship with Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni Pernice after a grilling from Phillip Schofield.

The former Pussycat Dolls star, 37, was said to have enjoyed a string of dates with the Italian dancer in London.

Schofield probed Roberts on the rumours during a This Morning interview with her Strictly partner Pasha Kovalev, insisting she and Pernice are “friends”.

“I’m really focused on the show,” she said. “I’m passionate about getting better. It’s all about the dancefloor for me. We’re just friends and I’m single."

Roberts’ comments come days after Pernice shut down reports of a romance, insisting they are “really good friends”.

After a grilling from Schofield, he replied: “I think she’s great. Why are you asking me about Ashley?

“According to the press I change girlfriend every single day. We’re really good friends, she’s a lovely person but I’m single.

“I’m in Newcastle every single day so there’s no chance for me to be in a relationship. I’m single. I’m sorry to disappoint you but I’m single.”

Speculation that the pair had struck up a romance came after sources claimed they had been meeting up for drinks every weekend after the live shows, with a “spark” apparent to their fellow contestants.

A source told the Sun: “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.”

Pernice, who is dancing with Steps singer Faye Tozer, enjoyed a short-lived romance with his former Strictly partner Georgia May Foote in 2016.

Strictly Come Dancing is on BBC One, Saturday at 6:50pm