Giovanni Pernice addresses shock split from Maura Higgins
It's all over!
Strictly Come Dancing star Giovanni Pernice has taken to social media to address his recent split from Love Island's Maura Higgins, admitting 'great relationships with great people can come to a natural end'.
After unfollowing each other on social media and deleting all trace of each other from their grids last week, fans were devastated to learn the pair had split after a few months.
Following a number of reports earlier this week about why the relationship ended, Giovanni has now spoken to confirm there was 'no wrong-doing' by either party.
He said: 'Hey guys, I hope everyone had a great Monday.
'Going into another wonderful training week – thank you so much for your amazing messages & your support this weekend. I get to live my dream every single day because of you – so thank you. Thank you, Thank you.
'I wanted to say a couple of things...
'Firstly, great relationships with great people can come to a natural end. This has been the case for me recently. There was absolutely no wrong-doing & this should be the end of any speculation.
'Whilst I respect & understand interest in my personal life, wouldn't it be fantastic to instead use this space to raise awareness of subjects & issues which need the attention.'
Giovanni, who is currently partnered with EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis on this year's Strictly Come Dancing, went on to reveal he's learnt so much from working with somebody who is part of the deaf community.
The 31-year-old added: 'My eyes have been opened to so many things during my career, but I am learning so much from this series of Strictly.
'The show has highlighted many important conversations for different communities and increased representation. These are the conversations which deserve the time, energy & recognition.
'We must concentrate on what's important and how we can all make a difference in life.' (sic)
The news of the split came as a shock to fans of Maura and Giovanni, as just last month reports suggested the pair were ready to move in together.
A source close to the pair told the Mail Online: "Things have become serious very quickly between Maura and Gio and they are now ready to move things up a level by getting their own place.
"They both lead incredibly busy lives and spend a lot of time on the road working - so having somewhere they can come back to and always be together is incredibly important.
"They have been talking about it and would like to start looking as soon as they can."
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Meanwhile, Giovanni continues in this year's Strictly along Rose, with the pair coming in second on the leaderboard last week following their Viennese Waltz to 'Fallin’ by Alicia Keys.
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