Strictly Come Dancing 2021 – Giovanni ‘awe-struck’ by Rose as she’s the first woman not to fall for his charms

Pointless trying to hide it

Pointless host Richard Osman revealed he knows who is having sex with who on Strictly Come Dancing.

The BBC game show shares makeup artists with Strictly, and Richard, 50, said they give him all the juicy behind the scenes gossip.

“Our makeup artists on Pointless are the same makeup artists who work on Strictly, so we get every single piece of gossip,” he told Jamie Laing’s Private Parts podcast. 

The in-demand host, who recently released his second novel, added he’s too busy for a Strictly romance.

He went on: “I don’t have time to do all the training and have an affair… so we get every single piece of gossip, that includes who’s banging who, but also who’s nice.”

Recap: Who has left so far?

Changed man

Giovanni, who recently split from Love Island’s Maura Higgins, is said to be a changed man after meeting Rose.

A source told Heat: “Giovanni has really changed since meeting Rose, and for the better.

“He’s seen the obstacles Rose has had to face in life and he’s just in awe of her.

“She’s one of the first women who he’s met who’s not taken in by his charms, and she isn’t afraid to challenge him or take the p**s out of him, which he loves.”

However, if he is hoping to woo her he may be in for a challenge – Rose currently has a long-term boyfriend.

Recap: Who are the Strictly judges this year?

Shirley Ballas has returned as head judge for the 2021 series.

Craig Revel Horwood has also taken up his role as judge – which he has been doing since the show’s inception in 2004 – but will have to take a week off due to a positive Covid test.

Motsi Mabuse has also returned for a third series.

They are all joined by Anton Du Beke who replaces long running judge Bruno Tonioli.

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have also returned to their duties as co-hosts.

Which musicals are they performing this week?

Here’s what the celebs and their partners will perform on Saturday, and the classic tunes that have been chosen.

AJ & Kai – Waltz Edelweiss (Sound Of Music)

Rose & Giovanni – Quickstep Love Is An Open Door (Frozen)

Tilly & Nikita – Couple’s Choice Revolting Children (Matilda)

Dan & Nadiya – Charleston Good Morning (Singin’ In The Rain)

John & Johannes – Viennese Waltz Chim Chim Cher-ee (Mary Poppins)

Rhys & Nancy – Jive Footloose (Footloose)

Tom & Amy – Couple’s Choice On My Own (Les Miserables)

Who is still competing for the Glitterball?

The seven stars that are left in the competition are:

Dan favourite to leave the competition this week

In news which will no doubt be a relief to some, Dan Walker is now the favourite to leave the competition on Saturday.

Ladbrookes have shortened their odds for the BBC Breakfast presenter to depart this weekend at 5/4, with Tilly Ramsay now fancied at 6/4.

Odds shorten on Rose and Giovanni

Ladbrokes has shortened its odds on Rose and Giovanni lifting the Glitterball in a few weeks time.

Bookies say the couple are now 1/5 with John&Johannes and AJ&Kai trailing on 7/1 and 9/1 respectively.

Jessica O’Reilly of Ladbrokes said: “There’s no stopping Rose and Giovanni and Strictly punters are still backing them to win despite the incredibly short odds on offer.”

When is Strictly on TV?

Strictly continues next Saturday (November 20, 2021).

The results show will air the following day on Sunday (November 21, 2021).

You can also catch any missed episodes on the BBC iPlayer.

A Star is Born

Strictly’s John Whaite could be about to show he has got another trick up his sleeve – and could be heading to the West End.

The star rose to fame by winning Bake Off in 2012 but could now be set for a whole new career after dazzling people with his moves on the show.

A TV insider said: “It’s not just his moves on Strictly that have caught the attention of directors, it’s also the charisma and confidence he’s shown as he finds himself in the spotlight.

“Being in the show’s first same-sex partnership with Johannes Radebe could have been an intimidating prospect, but far from being a shrinking violet he’s been a shining star.”

Which Strictly pros are thinking of quitting?

Strictly is facing an exodus after it emerged Oti Mabuse and Aljaz Skorjanec have both told pals they plan to quit the hit show next year.

The pro dancers will hand in their notices after this series for projects away from the ballroom, sources say.

Oti, 31, is the show’s most successful pro having won twice, with Kelvin Fletcher and Bill Bailey.

Aljaz, 31, won with Abbey Clancy in 2013 and is the longest-serving male professional still competing.

It is thought the pair have not yet told the BBC.

Katya, 32, is also rumoured to have threatened to leave but it is not know if she has any serious plans.

Turning the airwaves blue

Strictly Come Dancing fans have accused Giovanni Pernice of dropping an f-bomb live on the BBC ballroom spin-off It Takes Two.

The Italian pro appeared on the series alongside his celebrity partner Rose Ayling-Ellis to talk to host Rylan Clark about their show-stopping dance over the weekend.

During their appearance on the spin-off, Giovanni, 31, and Rose, 27, took part in a game to see how well they know each other since getting partnered up in September.

However viewers claimed the show momentarily turned X-rated when they believed they heard Giovanni drop the ‘F-word’ when Rylan revealed that they wouldn’t be able to take the trophy home.

Taking to Twitter to comment on the cheeky slip-up, one viewer asked: “Did Gio just say ‘f**k that’ on TV at 6:40pm? #Strictly #ittakestwo”.

How long have Janette and Aljaz been together?

The happy couple have been loved-up since 2009, tying the knot in 2017 and consistently avoiding the infamous Strictly Curse despite both being stars of the show.

In fact, Janette actually credits the hit BBC show for saving their relationship as they were on the verge of splitting before being snapped up by bosses in 2013.

The couple first met while performing in Broadway’s Burn The Floor, and toured the world together – but with the tour drawing to a close the couple faced a difficult long-distance relationship.

While she prepared to jet back to LA, Aljaž was going to return to Slovenia – until they both got the call to join Strictly.

Baby love

AJ Odudu has dropped another huge hint of romance with partner Kai Widdrington after referring to the show pro as “baby.”

Broadcaster AJ, 33, suffered a wardrobe mishap mid-routine on Saturday when she slipped on her billowing yellow dress in the feisty routine and appeared to address the blunder in their debrief.

As they lay on the floor following the routine’s final steps, Strictly Come Dancing‘s newbie pro Kai told her: “Well done.”

AJ can then be heard apologising: “Sorry baby,” before he reassures her and said: “It’s OK. Well done.”

Dropping like flies

Craig is the latest member of the BBC programme to test positive following a string of absences from contestants in this year’s series.

Loose Women star Judi Love, who was the fifth contestant to be eliminated, was the most recent star to have tested positive.

Love had been due to perform a cha cha to Physical by Olivia Newton-John during the October 23 show but had to pull out.

And last month, McFly star Tom Fletcher and partner Amy Dowden returned to the dancefloor after testing positive for coronavirus.

Recap: Who left Strictly on Saturday?

Sara Davies has become the latest star to be axed from Strictly.

The Dragons’ Den star is the seventh celebrity to be booted out of this year’s competition.

Speaking after the judges’ decision, Davies said: “I had no idea any of this was in me.

“It’s been a life-changing experience, one I’ve loved every second of.”

Her pro dance partner Aljaz Skorjanec said: “You have been an absolute joy and a testament to hard work – not just on Strictly but with your business and you’re a beautiful mother.”

How to learn sign language

Has Rose’s amazing part-silent performance on Strictly last weekend inspired you?

Campaigners have hailed the actress for doing so much to raise awareness about the real lives of the deaf community.

She has said she is proud to be deaf and thinks it is something to celebrate.

If you feel the same, here are some of the basics you need to communicate in sign language.

Ballroom blitz

Strictly Come Dancing’s Dan Walker was left with blood pouring from his mouth after being KNEED in the face by his partner.

Dan, 44, said he and Nadiya Bychkova were attempting a lift ahead in rehersals when disaster struck.

With the pair lying side-by-side on the floor of the rehearsal studio, he told BBC Breakfast: “We’re celebrating the end of our training session with a chocolate digestive.

“The Charleston this week – it’s good fun and I can swivel. That’s the high point of the week.”

Pointing at his face, he added: “The low point is, can you see? There’s still a bruise here where I got kneed in the face by the Ukrainian queen here.”

Rose Ayling-Ellis on being deaf (continued)

The 27-year-old has said that being deaf has never stopped her pursuing her dreams and she hopes that she can inspire other hearing-impaired individuals to take up performing arts such as acting and dancing.

“My ambition is to amplify deaf voices and to stop people assuming deaf people can’t achieve,” she said.

“The challenges of dealing with people’s lack of understanding made me more determined and want to work harder.

“It’s so important not to be ashamed of being deaf.”

Rose has starred as Frankie Lewis in Eastenders since 2020.

Rose Ayling-Ellis on being deaf

Speaking on Saturday after her and partner Giovanni’s part-silence performance, Rose said she was proud to be deaf.

The actress has previously spoken about the measures she has to take in order to communicate with others while on the Eastenders set.

She previously told the National Deaf Children’s Society that she communicates using a mixture of oral English and British Sign Language (BSL) on the set – and often has to perform in Sign Supported English (SSE).

She said: When I use SSE, it’s like thinking of two languages at the same time while performing, so a BSL monitor checks my BSL is clear on-screen.

“I also have a BSL interpreter on set at all times, paid for by my Access to Work.”