Ashley Roberts has brushed off the Strictly Come Dancing ‘curse’, insisting she trusts boyfriend Giovanni Pernice.
The couple shared a loved up snap on Instagram this week ahead of the new series of Strictly starting in the autumn.
Ashley, who danced with Pasha Kovalev in last year’s show, was linked to Giovanni, who was partnered with Steps singer Faye Tozer, during the series.
But only after filming had wrapped up, did the pair go public with their relationship.
Appearing on ITV’s Good Morning Britain this week, Ashley spoke about their relationship and so-called Strictly ‘curse’.
“We weren’t partnered up. We ended up having a romance on the show and then it turned into something more than that,” Ashley said.
Insisting she had no worries about Giovanni’s next Strictly partner, she added: “I trust him.”
Ashley, who was on the show to discuss her new role in the West End musical Waitress, said: “I feel like we have a real connection.
Meanwhile, Giovanni Pernice has also brushed off the Strictly ‘curse’.
“If you’re in a strong relationship, it’s not inevitable that you’ll begin an affair with your dance partner,” he said. “The rumba, the Argentine tango, they require you to put across physical attraction. But it doesn’t have to spill over to real life.
“My best Argentine tango was with Debbie McGee. Every time I watch it I get goosebumps. We’re still in touch, but there was never a relationship between us.
“Faye Tozer, my partner last year, is now a close personal friend, but she’s married with a son.”
Pussycat Dolls singer Ashley was one of the favourites to win last year’s contest while Giovanni joined Strictly as a pro in 2015. He previously dated his first celebrity partner Georgia May Foote before the couple broke up in 2016.
Meanwhile, in another Strictly romance from last year’s show, Joe Sugg has confirmed he and pro partner Dianne Buswell have also become a couple.
Strictly Come Dancing will be back later in 2019 for its new series.
