Giovanni Pernice wants the challenge of same-sex 'Strictly' partner

Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni Pernice would "definitely say yes" to having a male partner on the programme.

The most recent series of the competition had its first same sex couple with Katya Jones and boxer Nicola Adams, although they had to withdraw from the competition after three weeks after Jones tested positive for COVID-19.

Pernice said he was "proud" of the show for the inclusion of a same sex couple and that he would welcome the challenge of working with a male celebrity himself.

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In an interview with Yahoo Entertainment UK, he shared: "We are in 2021 so everything is moving and I'm very proud of what we achieved last year on Strictly with Katya and Nicola.

"Unfortunately for other reasons they didn't go further, but for sure if production came to me and said 'Giovanni, we would love you to dance with a male partner' I would definitely say yes.

"Also because it would give me an opportunity to challenge myself. New routines, new ways to make it better and different so I would definitely say yes."

He's competed on the programme every year since 2015 but the professional line-up for this year's Strictly is yet to be announced.

Pernice's colleagues Graziano Di Prima and Johannes Radebe became the first professionals to perform a same-sex couple dance on the show back in 2019.

The routine sparked nearly 300 complaints however a complaints report from the BBC later revealed they wouldn't be upheld.

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ITV's Dancing on Ice made history last year as it featured the first same sex pairing to take part in a dance competition on British TV as Ian 'H' Watkins of Steps fame teamed up with skater Matt Evers.

Giovanni Pernice is hosting exclusive dance classes on Instagram, Monday – Friday 5-6pm. Book now at www.lockdownclass.co.uk / @pernicegiovann1

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