Strictly final 2021: Giovanni Pernice gushes about Rose Ayling-Ellis

Giovanni Pernice has paid touching tribute to his Strictly Come Dancing partner Rose Ayling-Ellis as the pair prepare to compete in the final this weekend. 

The couple have developed a firm friendship after stunning the judges throughout the competition, with Giovanni expertly teaching Rose the routines without her being able to hear the music. 

The professional dancer opened up about how much he loved working with Rose on It Takes Two on Friday, tearfully gushing about how privileged he was to partner up with her. 

He revealed: ‘Personally I think Rose deserves the most beautiful things in the world, as her family said. She just realised that she can do everything she wants.’

Giovanni added: ‘I think we made a big impact. You are the most beautiful thing that ever happened in my entire life so I’m very grateful and very privileged to be the one able to do the journey with you. So, thank you.’

Rose was also overcome with emotion at Giovanni’s heartfelt words, leaning over to hug and kiss him on the cheek as they both cried. 

The pair will compete against John Whaite and Johannes Radebe in Saturday’s final for the coveted glitterball trophy. 

Third finalist AJ Odudu and her partner Kai Widdrington were forced to pull out of the competition a day before the final after she suffered an injury to her foot. 

AJ revealed that she suffered damage to her ligament and was warned by medics that she would need a year’s worth of rehabilitation if she were to dance on the foot this weekend. 

The Strictly Come Dancing final airs on Saturday at 7.10pm on BBC One.

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