Strictly Come Dancing’s Giovanni Pernice has insisted there is “absolutely no way” he’d date former dance partner Ranvir Singh.
Giovanni, 30, shut down reports he’d fallen for the Good Morning Britain star during their time on the BBC competition.
In a new interview the Italian dancer revealed he is single and said the pair, who got along famously well, are just “very, very good friends”.
When asked if he would ever date Ranvir Singh, Strictly come Dance’s partner, Giovanni told Entertainment Daily: “‘No, no, no no no. I’m single, absolutely there’s no way (I would date Ranvir). We are very very good friends.”
Ranvir and Giovanni, who reached the Strictly semi-final, were dogged by reports they had taken their friendship further after their intimate performances on the show sparked rumours of a romance.
They had also been seen after rehearsals looking extremely close, as one onlooker told the Irish Sun on Sunday: “Ranvir and Giovanni were very cosy together and seemed relaxed and tactile. They are clearly very much at ease in each other’s company.
“Ranvir seemed very flirty and gently clasped his arm. They looked handsome together. It would be very easy to mistake them for a couple in the early stages of their relationship.”
The show of tenderness came as a Strictly insider revealed fears that Ranvir, who recently split from her husband, had become “besotted” with pro dancer Giovanni.
The source said: “Ranvir and Giovanni seem to be getting closer each week.
“She appears to be absolutely besotted with him, while he is a calming, confident influence. The show has been great for Ranvir’s own confidence.
“She is feeling great about herself, especially as she is getting so much attention every week.
“But some people are concerned that Ranvir could be falling for him outside of the show and he’s a known ladykiller. They’ve been spending hours rehearsing together and the Strictly bubble is very intense.
“They are both very professional but their focus must be on winning the show. They are in with a chance.”
During their time on the show the pair danced a sensual Argentine tango, which ended with their lips almost touching.
Fans flooded Twitter with speculation about a relationship between the them.
One observed: “You could feel the #Strictly curse between Ranvir and Giovanni.”
Another said: “I think Ranvir and Giovanni need to get a room #Strictly #steamy.”
Later, Ranvir joked on Lorraine Kelly‘s ITV show: “I said to him ‘You know me better than my own GP now.’
