Rose Ayling-Ellis: Who is the Strictly's star's secret boyfriend?

Rose Ayling-Ellis

Strictly Come Dancing fans hoping for a real-life romance between Strictly finalists 2021 Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice will be disappointed to learn the EastEnders star has a long-term boyfriend.

Ever since Rose and Giovanni were partnered together on Strictly Come Dancing the rumour mill has been in overdrive with fans asking: Are Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice a couple? 

A close-up of Strictly couple Rose Ayling-Ellis and Givoanni Pernice

Credit: BBC - Photographer: Guy Levy

Their sizzling chemistry and touchingly close relationship has allowed fans to see a different side of Giovanni—a softer, warmer side. Leaving viewers convinced he "loves" the actress.

But we're here to pour cold water over rumours and reveal Rose—the first deaf star to ever appear on the dancing show—has a long-term boyfriend.

A photo posted by on

Although the couple keep their relationship fairly low-key, one glimpse through their social media accounts and it's clear to see the pair are pretty crazy about each other.

Rose—who is most known for playing Frankie Lewis on the BBC One soap—has been with Samuel Arnold for seven years.

On their sixth anniversary last year, the couple—who are both deaf—shared sweet tributes to one another. With Samuel writing, "I still find you the most funniest, beautiful and super cool girlfriend I ever asked for."

A photo posted by on

Sharing a similar sentiment, she added, "Six years we've been together and I still don't find you annoying."

Giovanni has got previous when it comes to dating people from the show and formerly went on to have a relationship with former partner Georgia May Foote and fellow Strictly contestant Ashley Roberts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zVSSdSYXd4

The Strictly pro is however currently single, after splitting from Maura Higgins in October 2021.

Fans were left wondering if Giovanni and Maura were still together after the Love Island star deleted all traces of him from her Instagram page.

Giovanni then cleared up any confusion by announcing the end of their relationship via Instagram stories.

Giovanni Pernice and maura Higgins

Giovanni was previously in a relationship with Love Island star Maura Higgins (Credit: Getty)
(Image credit: Getty / Alamy)

“Firstly, great relationships with great people can come to a natural end. This has been the case for me recently. There was absolutely no wrongdoing and this should be the end of any speculation," he wrote.

“Whilst I respect and understand interest in my personal life, wouldn’t it be fantastic to instead use this space to raise awareness of subjects and issues which need the attention.”

Celebrity writer

Georgia is a Celebrity and Royal Writer working across GoodTo and Woman & Home, and the Director and Founder of communications company Farq Media. Prior to this she was Online Editor at New! Magazine – managing all of their digital content and social media accounts. Where she interviewed all of the hottest reality TV stars and spent far too much time commuting to London. She trained at Nottingham Trent University – where she achieved First Class Honours in Print Journalism whilst juggling copious amounts of work experience, freelance writing, blogging and having far too much fun with the dance society.