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STRICTLY'S Ashley Roberts has insisted she's single despite dates with Giovanni Pernice.

The former Pussycat Doll has been linked to the Italian professional dancer for weeks after The Sun first revealed they had enjoyed a series of dates last month.

 Ashley Roberts has insisted she's single and not dating Strictly pro Giovanni Pernice
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Ashley Roberts has insisted she's single and not dating Strictly pro Giovanni PerniceCredit: Rex Features

Since then, it was claimed the pair - who are not dancing together on the BBC One show - were "inseparable" at the Blackpool after party at the weekend.

However, during an appearance on today's This Morning, Ashley denied they were a couple.

When host Phillip Schofield paused towards the end of the interview and then said "Giovanni", Ashley laughed and replied: "You cheeky little man. Giovanni and I are friends.

"Listen I'm really, really focused on the show. I am very passionate about being here and it's about the dance for me."

 Ashley appeared on todays This Morning alongside her professional partner Pasha Kovalev
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Ashley appeared on todays This Morning alongside her professional partner Pasha KovalevCredit: Rex Features
 The Sun first revealed Ashley had enjoyed a string of dates with Giovanni last month
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The Sun first revealed Ashley had enjoyed a string of dates with Giovanni last month
 Phillip Schofield quizzed Ashley about Giovanni
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Phillip Schofield quizzed Ashley about GiovanniCredit: ITV
Giovanni Pernice insists he's single as he's about Ashley Roberts romance on This Morning

As Phil continued to pull faces and stare at her to try and make her squirm, she joked: "Look at him, wanting it."

She added firmly: "No, we're just friends, I'm single."

Phil's co-host Rochelle Humes said to him: "I believe that because normally you can get that out of anyone."

Ashley - who was joined by her dance partner Pasha Kovalev - said with a laugh: "I know he was staring me down."

The star also responded to accusations she had an unfair advantage over her fellow celebrities because of her past dance training.

While she explained how her time in the Pussycat Dolls was totally different to the style of dancing on Strictly, she did admit it had still probably giving her a better starting point than some of her co-stars.

She said: "Well with the Pussycat Dolls it was dancing but it was booty pop, hip hop stuff and over 10 years ago.

 Ashley insisted she is just friends with Giovanni
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Ashley insisted she is just friends with GiovanniCredit: ITV
 Phil tried his hardest to get a confession out of Ashley
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Phil tried his hardest to get a confession out of AshleyCredit: ITV
Strictly Come Dancing star Ashley Roberts spills the beans about her fellow contestants

"I think the discipline of getting in there and thinking 'right I'm going to do this' and the focus [helps] but it's such a different style of dance.

"The way they move is so elegant, classy and precise.

"We [the band] were just feeling it.

"I mean listen, I did have this dance experience but I am learning I'm in the studio every week with Pasha giving it my all and really being focused."


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