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Strictly’s Giovanni breaks silence on claims he ‘hasn’t clicked’ with celebrity partner Richie Anderson
STRICTLY star Giovanni Pernice today addressed claims he "hasn't clicked" with his celebrity dance partner Richie Anderson.
The pro dancer, who won Strictly Come Dancing with Rose Ayling-Ellis last year, shut down rumours of tension with his partner.
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Giovanni, 32, and Richie, 34, hit back on spin off show It Takes Two tonight after insiders said the pair weren't getting along.
Sources claimed the pro dancer was frustrated with Richie for not listening in rehearsals ahead of their first live performance on Saturday night.
It Takes Two host and ex Strictly pro Janette Manrara dived into the reported feud and asked Giovanni: "How is training going?"
He repled: "We’re having a good time, we’re definitely having a good time.
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"Obviously it is a dance competition, at the end of the day, so we have to learn something but there is no problem between us. We are having a good time."
He also touched on it being his first time in a same-sex couple on the BBC One competition.
Asked how he will approach the dances, Gio said: "The plans are the same, to teach Richie how to dance. That is the point of the show.
"I’m a teacher, he’s a student."
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It comes as Radio 2 host Richie was seen leaving rehearsals amid reports they have had a rocky start to the competition.
Sources told how reigning champ Giovanni struggled to get his points across to Richie who is “extremely over-excited” to be taking part.
One said: “The pair haven’t clicked. Richie is so swept up by the whole experience that he is talking 100 words a minute, and it can be hard for Giovanni.
“He has told pals that Richie talks instead of listening during training, and it is frustrating.”
But the source added that it was early days and they are still getting used to each other.
They added: “Giovanni thinks Richie has real potential in the competition.”
Richie later broke his silence on the situation and thanks Gio after their first live performance, a Cha Cha Cha to I'm Your Man by Wham!.
Richie, 34, shared a video of the dance and said: "A moment I’ll never forget and so lucky I got to share it with @pernicegiovann1 ❤️.
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"Thank you Gio for being the best teacher over the past fortnight.
"Plenty of feedback from the judges to take on board, can’t wait to get back in the training room."
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