Strictly’s Giovanni Pernice DUMPED Maura Higgins two weeks ago because ‘he didn’t want to settle down’
STRICTLY dancer Giovanni Pernice ended his relationship with Maura Higgins because he wasn’t ready to settle down.
But The Sun can reveal Maura was left blindsided by the split and is “utterly heartbroken”.
The Love Island star has since deleted all trace of the Italian from her social media telling pals she “has to move on”.
A source said: “Maura didn’t see this coming and is finding it very difficult to come to terms with. She genuinely thought Gio was the one.”
The pair are believed to have split two weeks ago after heart-to-heart talks.
In them it is believed Giovanni admitted he’d become concerned the pair’s “crazy suitcase lives” meant they weren’t able to see enough of each other.
“Gio is working 24/7 on Strictly and Maura is flying here, there and everywhere with modelling," the source explained.
The added: "Gio is also set to go on tour again next year when Strictly ends so their lifestyles just don’t fit with settling down at the moment.
"That’s why Gio decided to end things. They have crazy suitcase lives which makes it hard to be in a relationship.
"He adores Maura and had hoped they could remain friends - but that doesn’t look likely.”
The Sun first revealed that Giovanni and Maura were dating over the summer.
We also landed the first picture of the pair out with pals in Blackpool last June.
But even then witnesses said they overheard the pair “bickering” while out.
Our source added: “Gio and Maura are both quite strong willed so their relationship was fiery at times.
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"It’s not easy going out with someone who’s on Strictly Come Dancing, with all the history there.
"Plus, Maura had to deal with the fact one Katie McGlynn, who Gio has been linked to, was on the show.
"But she was hugely supportive of Gio and is utterly heartbroken things have come to an end.
"But Maura is a strong girl and will brush herself down and bounce back.”
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Giovanni and Maura teased their romance for weeks before confirming they were an item in July.
It came just two months after Maura's split from her ex Christopher Taylor.
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