Strictly's Giovanni Pernice responds to rumours he is 'dating' Verity Bowditch

Strictly Come Dancing’s Giovanni Pernice has addressed speculation that he is dating Made in Chelsea star Verity Bowditch.

The romance rumours come just one month after Giovanni, 31, confirmed his split from Love Islander Maura Higgins, insisting there was ‘absolutely no wrongdoing’ that caused their separation.

The Sun reported that the Italian dancer and has supposedly had ‘several secret meetings’ with Verity and he is ‘smitten’ with her.

‘Giovanni has fallen head over heels for Verity,’ an unnamed source said.

‘They are smitten. He’s been training really hard, but has made time for her.’

The source said they are ‘very sweet together,’ however, Giovanni took to Instagram to ‘speak the truth.’

Wishing his followers a happy Sunday, Gio squashed the rumours, writing: ‘It’s news to me that I am dating, didn’t know anything about it lol.

‘At the moment as you all know it’s all about dance, dance, dance which is a wonderfulll thing daaaaarling [sic]’

He confirmed: ‘That’s the reality, no drama here,’ before signing off with a peace sign emoji and a sly dig at the anonymous source: ‘THE SUN is shining.’

Giovanni announced his split from the Irish influencer in October with a lengthy Instagram story on how ‘great relationships with great people can come to a natural end’.

Maura has not publicly addressed the split, but has deleted all traces of Giovanni from her Instagram after going public in July.

Giovanni has previously dated past Strictly stars Georgia May Foote and Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts.

There has also been speculation that he is dating current dance partner, EastEnders Rose Ayling-Ellis, with the pair firm favourites to take home the glitter ball this season.

However, 27-year-old Rose has been dating Samuel Arnold for around seven years.

The two opened week 10 of the BBC dance competition last night with a powerful pasodoble to California Dreamin’ by Sia.

Meanwhile, fellow contestants John Whaite and Johannes Radebe topped the board with a near-perfect score of 39 following a fiery Argentine Tango.

Metro.co.uk has contacted reps for Giovanni and Verity for comment.

Strictly Come Dancing: The Results airs tonight at 7:20pm on BBC One.

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