STRICTLY champ Jowita Pryzstal is secretly dating pro Giovanni Pernice.
They have been inseparable for weeks and were caught kissing backstage.
Strictly champ Jowita Pryzstal is secretly dating fellow pro Giovanni Pernice
Giovanni was caught kissing Jowita backstage
The couple, pictured dancing together here, kept the blossoming relationship secret for weeks
Richie Anderson and Giovanni during the live show of Strictly
Jowita, 28, who won with wildlife host Hamza Yassin split from her long-term lover before rehearsals.
A source said: “She and Gio are the worst kept secret, but make a great couple.”
Giovanni and Jowita went public with their romance at Chelsea ace Jorghino’s birthday dinner.
The pair kept the blossoming relationship secret for weeks before openly flirting at the bash.
Italian Stallion Gio is close pals with Brazilian-born Italy international Jorginho.
Polish beauty Jowita won this year’s Glitterball with wildlife host Hamza — after splitting from dancer Michael Danilczuk before the series began.
Fans spotted her and Gio, 32, in a long hug as the champions were announced on Saturday.
They first set tongues wagging with a sizzling start-of-show routine in October.
Show crew have also caught them kissing backstage.
A source said: “While they both kept insisting they were single, the pair’s chemistry was ridiculous — and they kept getting busted snogging in corridors.
“Crew even saw them kissing in the production office.
“They make a great couple though, and have been pretty inseparable in the last few weeks.
“Jowita, especially, wanted to keep things quiet so she could keep focused with Hamza, and not distract from the competition.
“Giovanni invited Jowita as his date to Jorghino’s birthday bash at Grappelli, an Italian restaurant in Cobham, Surrey, near the Chelsea training ground.
“They were flirting and made their relationship very known.
“It was the talk of the evening.”
Ladies’ man Giovanni, 32, has previously dated ex-Coronation Street actress Georgia May Foote, his partner in 2015’s Strictly.
They split eight months later.
In 2018 he dated another show contestant, Pussycat Dolls singer Ashley Roberts, despite not being partnered together.
Gio’s most recent public romance was with Love Island star Maura Higgins.
A source said: ‘She and Gio are the worst kept secret, but make a great couple’
Polish beauty Jowita won this year’s Strictly with wildlife host Hamza
Hamza and Jowita smile after lifting the Glitterball trophy
But it ended within a few months.
And he had been linked to Inbetweeners star Emily Atack.
Ballroom dancer Jowita made her pro debut on Strictly this series – and became an instant hit with male viewers.
She first came to public attention after winning The Greatest Dancer on BBC1, mentored by Oti Mabuse, but has been dancing since the age of 12.
Jowita, the Polish Open Latin Champion, had previously dated her professional dance partner, Michael.
The couple – who still have their own website and Instagram page – met at a dance camp in 2013 and fell in love after dancing together for a year.
After retiring from competition in 2015, the pair toured the world together, working on dance show Burn The Floor.
They also competed on The Greatest Dancer.
When Jowita was announced as a new Strictly pro – in the group dances last year – Michael posted a tribute to his then-girlfriend.
The caption read: “I am so ecstatic to share with you all that my Babe made her biggest dream Come True. She is now one of the pro dancers on @bbcstrictly 2021. I am super proud of You @jowitaprzystal. You are the most hardworking person on this planet and I know you will be outstanding. I know how much this means to you.
Jowita split from dancer Michael Danilczuk before the series began
“I love you from the bottom of my heart and I know everyone will see what I see in you! Time to smash it babe!”
However, the couple have not posted together since March and no longer follow one another on Instagram.
Strictly, famed for its curse, had been free of any relationship dramas so far this year.
But Giovanni and Jowita getting together means the show has now seen a romance in every one of its 20 series.
A Strictly spokeswoman and agents for Gionvanni and Jowita declined to comment.
GIO AND HIS EXES
Gio dated Love Island star Maura Higgins last year
He dated Love Island’s Maura for several months last year.
Ashley fell for Gio in 2018
Pussycat Doll Ashley fell for Giovanni’s charms in 2018.
Gio with dance partner Georgia May Foote in 2016
With dance partner and actress Georgia May Foote in 2016.
Gio was snapped with Emily Atack in 2017
Night out with Emily Atack in 2017.
SIX COUPLES HIT BY TV CURSE
2021
Adam Peaty with ex-girlfriend Eirianedd Munro
Swimmer Adam Peaty split with Eirianedd Munro.
2018
Katya and Neil Jones split after 11 years
Dancers Neil and Katya Jones split after 11 years.
2018
Dianne Buswell with actor Anthony Quinlan
Dianne Buswell split with actor Anthony Quinlan.
2018
Stacey Dooley with her ex-boyfriend Sam Tucknott
Stacey Dooley broke up with lover Sam Tucknott.
2017
Louise Redknapp with then husband Jamie
Louise Redknapp divorced ex-footballer hubby Jamie.
2013
Ben Cohen with Kristina Rihanoff
Ben Cohen ditched wife Abby for Kristina Rihanoff.
