Ex Strictly star Giovanni Pernice puts on a loved-up display with bikini-clad girlfriend Bianca Guaccero as they enjoy a romantic Barbados getaway

Daily Mail​

15-05-2025

Giovanni Pernice looked happier than ever as he packed on the PDA with his girlfriend Bianca Guaccero while enjoying a romantic Barbados getaway on Wednesday.
The former Strictly Come Dancing star, 34, and actress Bianca, 44, were all smiles as they cosied up in the ocean at the Caribbean island's iconic Sandy Lane Hotel.
Giovanni, who will not be returning to the BBC competition later this year after being left out of the line-up, showed off his muscular physique in a pair of black swimming shorts.
The shirtless Italian hunk cooled off from the hot weather in the sea with his stunning bikini-clad partner, who showed off her amazing figure in a burgundy strapless two-piece.
The star, who won the Italian version of Strictly with Giovanni, left her long brunette tresses loose as she walked along the beach.
Bianca later wrapped her arms around Giovanni in the ocean before pushing her wet hair out of her face.
After their dip, the dancer washed off the salt water under a beach shower before soaking up the sun at the hotel.
He wrapped a pink towel around his neck as he enjoyed a cigarette and a cold beverage.
Bianca wrapped a stylish purple floral sarong around her bikini and shielded from the sun behind a pair of large sunglasses.
The couple were the winning pair on the Italian version of the BBC show, Ballando con le Stelle, and Giovanni gushed that Bianca was 'was exactly what he needed' following the bombshell allegations made by Amanda Abbington.
And after revealing his 'world collapsed' when his friends abandoned him following the allegations, Giovanni explained how Bianca was 'very supportive'.
He told Heat magazine: 'She came into my life during not the greatest time, so I needed some security.
Giovanni wrapped a pink towel around his neck as he enjoyed a cigarette and a cold beverage
'She was aware of the situation that was going on with me in the UK, but she was very supportive. She was there for me from the get-go, she was just what I needed.
'She is exactly what I wanted, a nice person next to me, I needed it. I needed the support and she has given that to me.'
Giovanni revealed the pair have had to make 'sacrifices' to 'make their relationship work' as Bianca is currently busy working in Italy, where she is based, while the dancer prepares to tour the UK for the next seven months.
Last month, it was revealed that Giovanni will not be returning to Strictly Come Dancing despite hinting at a comenback and the findings of the BBC's misconduct report into his behaviour.
Revealing the cast of this year's Strictly Come Dancing which will air in August, Giovanni was notably absent from the list.
Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Amy Dowden, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk and Jowita Przysta are among those returning to the dance floor this September.
They will be joined by Johannes Radebe, Aljaž Škorjanec Nancy Xu, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas and Vito Coppola who will all take to the floor once more alongside two new stars.
Carlos Gu and Kai Widdrington will be returning after not appearing in the 2024 edition.
In July last year, more than six months after Amanda quit Strictly citing 'personal reasons', the actress accused Giovanni of 'unnecessary, cruel and mean behaviour' during their time dancing together on Strictly.
Giovanni rejected the claims immediately and a BBC investigation ruled in September that her claims of physical aggression and threatening behaviour were not upheld.
Last month, it was revealed that Giovanni will not be returning to Strictly Come Dancing despite hinting at a return and the findings of the BBC's misconduct report into his behaviour.
Complaints of verbal bullying and harassment meant the BBC issued an apology but Giovanni said he was 'pleased the report has not found any evidence of threatening or abusive behaviour'.
Now cleared by the investigation and a dancer on the Italian version of Strictly, Giovanni will head out on tour again later in the year with best pal Anton Du Beke.
Giovanni and Bianca looked every inch the loved-up couple as they enjoyed a day out in London last month.
The pair spent quality time together away from the dancefloor as they enjoyed a trip to the UK capital over the festive period.
Bianca shared a photo of Giovanni wrapping his arms around her and giving her a kiss with Big Ben in the background.
The couple also stopped by Buckingham Palace and later enjoyed a romantic evening at The Ritz Hotel.
The pair confirmed their romance in November, with Bianca at the time claiming she had 'difficulty believing in true love' until she met him.
Bianca also declared that she had 'never felt as secure and loved' as she does with the dancer, who is almost 10 years her junior.
'After a long time, there is someone who takes care of me and cares about me,' Giovanni said.
'A woman like her has been missing from my life.'
Complaints of verbal bullying and harassment meant the BBC issued an apology but Giovanni said he was 'pleased the report has not found any evidence of abusive behaviour'
Now cleared by the investigation and a dancer on the Italian version of Strictly, Giovanni will head out on tour again later in the year with best pal Anton Du Beke
The couple beamed as they soaked up the sun at the beach in Barbados
'He's goofy and crazy, and that made me fall in love with him. It had been a long time since I felt happiness in my heart,' Bianca added.
The two met when he joined the Italian dance show, Ballando con le Stelle, last year following his exit from Strictly Come Dancing amid the Amanda Abbington bullying row.
And it wasn't long before the two were setting tongues wagging thanks to their sizzling chemistry both on and off the dancefloor.
The new romance comes off the back of a string of high profile romances for Giovanni.
When paired with Coronation Street actress Georgia May Foote, 34, in 2015 – Giovanni's first year on Strictly – they began dating.
He also found love with singer Ashley Roberts, 43, who appeared on Strictly in 2018 though they were not a pair – she danced with Pasha Kovalev.
He dated Love Island stunner Maura Higgins, 34, for four months in 2021, while in 2022, Giovanni was linked to fellow Strictly professional Jowita Przystal, 30.
Bianca split from her director husband Dario Acocella in 2017. The couple have a daughter called Alice.