Maura Higgins pointedly calls dancer boyfriend Giovanni Pernice ‘My Man’ in sizzling new social media post… as his ex-flame Katie McGlynn is CONFIRMED for Strictly 2021 line-up
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Maura Higgins shared a selection of loved-up snaps with her boyfriend Giovanni Pernice on Instagram on Wednesday.
The Love Island star, 30, looked flawless in the picture as she sizzled in a plunging black lace trimmed playsuit while Giovanni looked on in passionate style.
The doting post, in which Maura pointedly called Giovanni ‘my man’ comes after his ex-girlfriend Katie McGlynn joined the Strictly Come Dancing line up last week.
‘My man’: Maura Higgins shared a collection of couple snaps with Giovanni Pernice in a plunging black jumpsuit on Wednesday night
Maura recently followed Giovanni’s Coronation Street actress ex, 28, who became known for her role as Sinead Tinker, on Instagram.
Strictly bosses are reportedly eager to pair Giovanni and Katie, who were romantically involved 5 years ago, together for the competition.
However, they know this could cause spell trouble for the professional dancer and his new Irish reality star girlfriend.
An insider told The Sun: ‘This would be a dream ticket for Strictly producers, but a potential nightmare for the trio concerned.’
Too close for comfort? The doting post comes after his ex-girlfriend Katie McGlynn joined the Strictly Come Dancing line up last week
They continued: ‘The show’s bosses always strive to pair up pros and celebrities likely to have the most chemistry. In that respect, Giovanni and Katie are an obvious choice,
‘But they have to consider if that could have the knock-on effect of making life so difficult outside of the rehearsal studio that it might impact on their performances.’
MailOnline has contacted a Strictly representative for further comment.
Katie and Giovanni were linked back in 2017 when it was reported that they’d enjoyed a night out with pals and ‘dinner and the cinema’ date.
Contestant: Giovanni was previously romantically linked to the actress (pictured) and there are fears it could create tension with his Maura
However the Coronation Street actress later shut down speculation and denied they were dating.
Maura and Giovanni first went public with their relationship at Sapphires, Blackpool’s Premier Drag Cabaret Show Bar at the beginning of July.
And he’s already introduced her to the cast and crew of the Him And Me show he’s starring in with new Strictly judge, Anton Du Beke.
Happy couple: Maura and Giovanni first went public with their relationship at Sapphires, Blackpool’s Premier Drag Cabaret Show Bar at the beginning of July
A source told MailOnline: ‘Gio and Maura are very much a couple. Everyone know he’s played the field in the past but he is serious about Maura.
‘He’s smitten with her, they’ve become close really quickly and are spending a lot of time together in Blackpool.
‘She’s become pals with all of the cast and crew of Him and Me too and they think she’s great. Maura has also met Anton and they got on brilliantly.’
Romance? The Italian hunk was linked to Katie when they were seen at an awards party five years ago however Katie denied the dating rumours
The dancer dated Corrie actress, Georgia May Foote, 30, when he partnered her on Strictly in 2015.
He also dated Pussycat Dolls singer Ashley Roberts when she was on Strictly in 2018.
The Strictly 2021 pairings won’t be unveiled until next month’s launch show. However the full celebrity line-up is now complete.
Ugo Monye, Tom Fletcher, AJ Odudu, Robert Webb, Judi Love, Adam Peaty, Matilda ‘Tilly’ Ramsay, Greg Wise, Nina Wadia, Sara Davies, Rhys Stephenson, Rose Ayling-Ellis, John Whaite and Dan Walker will all be trying to win the Glitterball trophy.
Worth the wait: The pairings won’t be unveiled until next month’s launch show
STRICTLY COME DANCING 2021: WHO ARE THE CONTESTANTS?
TOM FLETCHER
Age: 36
Profession: McFly musician
Tom says: ‘I’m so pleased the news is out it’s been so hard keeping it secret. Equal parts excited and terrified.’
Fun fact: Tom’s McFly bandmate Harry Judd won Strictly Come Dancing in 2011. Tom’s wife Giovanna Fletcher is the reigning champion of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
Age: 48
Profession: Actor and comedian
Robert says: ‘It’s very exciting but with a slight undertone of quivering terror.’
Fun Fact: Robert squeezed into a shiny leotard to take the title of Let’s Dance For Comic Relief in 2009, performing What A Feeling from ’80s film Flashdance, beating the likes of Keith Lemon and Paddy McGuinness to the title.
RHYS STEPHENSON
Age: 27
Profession: CBBC presenter
Rhys says: ‘I have dreamt about being on this show, and I know for a fact that it is going to exceed every expectation’
Fun fact: Rhys has been an actor since the age of ten, performing alongside Matt Smith and Hugh Bonneville.
KATIE MCGLYNN
Age: 28
Profession: Actress
Katie says: ‘I’m really not a dancer, but I’m so excited to learn a new skill on this crazy journey and cannot wait to slip into some sequins along the way.’
Fun fact: Katie, who played Sinead Tinker in Corrie, won a NTA for Best Serial Drama Performance in 2020.
TILLY RAMSAY
Age: 19
Profession: CBBC presenter
Tilly says: ’I’m going to put my heart and soul into this and can’t wait to get my dancing shoes on!’
Fun fact: Tilly’s father is celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and the pair often star in dancing TikTok videos.
NINA WADIA
Age: 52
Profession: Actress
Nina says: ‘I think I should do this before I’m too old and can’t walk anymore. I just want to grab life by the horns and just enjoy it.’
Fun fact: Nina is a JDRF Ambassador and was awarded an OBE in the 2021 New Year’s Honours List.
ADAM PEATY
Age: 26
Profession: Athlete
Adam says: ‘I’m really looking forward to doing something totally different and challenging myself away from the pool.’
Fun fact: Adam becoming the first British swimmer to defend an Olympic title at Tokyo 2020.
UGO MONYE
Age: 38
Profession: Rugby player and sports pundit
Ugo says: ‘What a dream come true! Strictly is the biggest entertainment show on TV and I can’t wait to show everyone I’ve got more than just dad dancing moves.
Fun fact: Beginning his rugby career at Harlequins in 2002, Ugo went on to make 241 appearances for the club where he scored 89 tries, won a Premiership and made his England debut in 2008.
AJ ODUDU
Age: 33
Profession: TV presenter
AJ says: ‘I think it’s going to be really challenging. I can’t wait for the sequins, the wigs, the glitz and the glamour.’
Fun Fact: AJ has appeared as a panelist on Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two in the past, too.
JOHN WHAITE
Age: 33
Profession: Great British Bake Off Winner and TV chef
John says: ‘I’m so grateful, excited, and nervous to be joining the Strictly 2021 family… I’ve been wearing sequins and jazzy attire since I was three years old and can’t wait to hurl myself, full throttle, around the most glamorous dance floor on earth’
Fun Fact: John is set tp be part of the first ever all-male partnering – the first in 17 years of the show
SARA DAVIES
Age: 37
Profession: Businesswoman
Sara says: ‘I’m really nervous because so far the producers keep asking me if I can dance… Truth be told – I haven’t got a clue! I’ve not danced since I did ballet lessons when I was little.’
Fun fact: Sara was the youngest ever dragon on BBC show Dragons’ Den.
DAN WALKER
Age: 44
Profession: Journalist
Dan says: ‘I’m enjoying the experience when it starts of learning to dance. I’ll be honest I’m not making room on any shelves in my house for the glitterball.’
Fun fact: Dan recently quit Football Focus after 12 years at the helm and has been covering Tokyo Olympics.
GREG WISE
Age: 55
Profession: Actor
Greg says: ‘It’s about being out there and exposing yourself as someone who can’t dance, and learning.’
Fun fact: Greg is married to the actress Emma Thompson who he met while filming Sense and Sensibility.
ROSE AYLING-ELLIS
Age: 30
Profession: Actress
Rose says: ‘I hope I will do the deaf community proud and break down more barriers. I am also very excited to learn an incredible new skill.’
Fun fact: Rose will make history as Strictly’s first deaf contestant.
JUDI LOVE
Age: 41
Profession: Comedienne
Judi says: ‘I’m truly looking forward to pushing myself in something that I could have only dreamed of doing and now it’s actually coming true!’
Fun fact: Judi began comedy when she performed a set in front of her class for a degree module.
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