Giovanni Pernice says he is ‘back’ after ‘a difficult year’ as he thanks UK and Irish fans for their support after winning Italian version of Strictly – and teases return ‘very soon’

Giovanni Pernice has declared he is ‘back after a difficult year’ after winning the Italian version of Strictly Come Dancing.

The professional dancer, 34, was forced to leave the British show earlier this year amid an investigation into his conduct after he was accused of abuse by his former celebrity partner Amanda Abbington.

Giovanni returned to the Strictly floor in September, but instead as a professional on Italian version Ballando Con Le Stelle.

He cruised to victory in Saturday night’s final with his celebrity partner, actress Bianca Guaccero, 43 – with whom he struck up a romance during the competition.

Giovanni celebrated his victory on Instagram on Sunday, writing: ‘We did it!! WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!! After a difficult year I’m back .’

Giovanni also took time to thank his fans in Britain and Ireland for their support throughout the competition – having played in the British version for a decade before retiring.

He said: ‘Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to support me and Bianca over the last few months – it hasn’t gone unnoticed.

‘We did some incredible dances, and I’m obviously very proud of what we achieved together!

‘To everyone in Britain and Ireland: thank you very much. The continued support I have felt from you over the past few months has been incredible! I see you all, and I’m so grateful to all of you for being there last night and voting when you needed to – I know it was a lot.”

Giovanni added: ‘It felt great to be in the final again and doing what I love – and then to also win was a dream and definitely something I will never forget! Thank you for being there and being a part of that with me

‘I can’t wait to see you all again soon! Gio x.’

After the pair lifted the Italian glitterball, Giovanni committed to marrying partner and new girlfriend, Bianca.

“If we win the show, I will think about it seriously,” Giovanni claimed when he popped the question after the couple performed a breathtaking tango.

Giovanni and Bianca recently went public with their romance, with the actress claiming she had “never felt so safe and loved” as she did with the dancer, who is almost ten 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 is missing in my life.’

“He’s goofy and crazy, and that’s what made me fall in love with him. It had been a long time since I felt happiness in my heart,” Bianca added.

The couple secured their first title in an exciting final, beating Olympic champion Federica Pellegrini and her professional partner Pasquale La Rocca.

Model Federica Nargi and Luca Favilla, who were also a favorite couple to win the show, reached third place.

“It’s the first time in my life I’ve won anything, and it’s amazing,” Bianca said as she held up the trophy with Giovanni by her side.

After the show on Instagram, Giovanni and Bianca dedicated their trophy to their fans: ‘This cup is not only ours, but also yours. Thank you for your love and support.”

The couple left viewers speechless with their near-perfection routines. The duo dominated the stage with a mesmerizing tango and a stunning quickstep.

Carolyn Smith, the only professional dancer on the jury, suggested they are “ready to compete in the World Tango Championship in Argentina next year.”

“Your story is almost like a fairy tale,” said judge Fabio Canino during the final episode of the Italian show, which was widely praised as the best series with the highest level of professionalism.

Judge Selvaggia Lucarelli, who previously criticized the couple for “not exciting the audience with your perfection”, had to admit that they were “actually too perfect”.

Bianca’s mother gave her approval to the romance, as she told The Sun after their win: ‘My daughter has always been very sensitive, she has bravely faced many challenges and I am proud of the woman she has become.

‘I am very happy that she has chosen to participate in Ballando con le Stelle, because this show has given and continues to give her so much as a woman.

‘Giovanni came to Puglia to meet me and my husband, and I like him as a person.

‘Bianca never said it explicitly to me, but love doesn’t have to be announced, you see it and you feel it and that’s enough.’

Giovanni made a triumphant return to Strictly last night, where he was praised by the judges, presenters and fellow professional dancers for his unforgettable silent dance.

The star played a major role in the program’s 20th anniversary special.

He was praised for his groundbreaking dance with deaf partner Rose Ayling Ellis in 2021.

The pair stunned the audience when halfway through their performance to Clean Bandit’s Symphony, the music stopped but the dance continued.

The special performance was dubbed the ‘greatest dance of all time’ on Strictly.

Recalling his performance with Ms Ayling Ellis in Strictly Come Dancing: 20 Fabulous Years, Motsi Mabuse said: “The couple’s choice of Rose and Giovanni is one of those dances that follows me to this day. It was so moving.”