Strictly’s Giovanni Pernice affectionately kisses Rose Ayling-Ellis as they survive elimination amid Maura Higgins split

STRICTLY's Giovanni Pernice affectionately kissed Rose Ayling-Ellis after they survived another week on the BBC One competition.

The sweet gesture was captured on camera yesterday when presenter Tess Daly announced they had made it through to Halloween week next Saturday.

Italian hunk Gio, 31, planted a kiss on Rose's cheek as the pair celebrated their success.

Rose, 26, posted a video of the blink-and-you-miss-it moment on her Instagram story last night, and wrote over the top of it: "Thank you!"

The pair had stunned viewers when they danced a Viennese waltz to Alicia Key's 2009 ballad Fallin' about a couple's stormy relationship.

Those watching at home were convinced it was a nod to Gio's recent split from Love Island star Maura Higgins.

The Sun revealed the pro dumped Maura earlier this month saying he didn't want to settle down.

Friends say she was “devastated” when Giovanni gave her the push.

It turns out he was even active on celebrities’ site Raya on October 5, yet on October 2, Love Island star Maura, 30, posted pictures of her and the Italian hunk on her Instagram account.

A source said: “Giovanni’s profile was on Raya while he was still very much with Maura. It does not state he is just looking for friendship.

“It is clearly for dates and it will be another blow to Maura.

"Gio said he wasn’t actively using the app but it only takes two seconds to delete.

"No woman in their right mind would be happy if their other half had a phone full of dating apps.”

Maura’s relationship with Giovanni was her first in the public eye since her split in May with former Love Island co-star Chris Taylor, 31.

Before that she was with Curtis Pritchard, 25, brother of ex-Strictly pro AJ.

Giovanni was previously with Pussycat Doll singer Ashley Roberts, 40.

They met on Strictly in 2018.

A spokeswoman said: “Giovanni became a member of Raya years ago and his original profile remained on the site.

"He categorically was not using it whilst in a relationship."