Giovanni was reduced to tears on an episode of It Takes Two(Image: none)

Strictly star's 'revenge' on pro dancer after tough training sessions

Steps star Faye Tozer was partnered with Giovanni Pernice on Strictly Come Dancing in 2018 and she decided to get her own back on him for "pushing her hard" in training

by · The Mirror

This year's Strictly Come Dancing has been mired in scandal, with Giovanni Pernice being one of the professionals caught up in the drama. He didn't hit the dance floor for the show's 20th anniversary following claims of bullying from his 2023 celebrity partner Amanda Abbington. Yet Faye Tozer, the Steps singer who partnered with Giovanni in 2018, fondly reminisced on their time together and even playfully brought him to tears on an episode of It Takes Two in a comedic act of "revenge" for his strict training demands.

The pop star successfully turned the tables on her former dance mate, bringing a touch of hilarity to an interview with Zoe Ball on the BBC spin-off. The scene was set as they discussed their preparation for a Charleston number, destined to showcase them in lederhosen for a Sound of Music performance. Zoe jokingly remarked that Giovanni's notably hairy legs would be on show, prompting thoughts of some much-needed pre-show grooming. Faye was surprised when Zoe handed her some waxing strips, while Giovanni looked nervous. Zoe said: "Go on Giovanni, it's all worth it for the cause. Why are people saying 'no'? He deserves it. It does actually look quite painful."

Faye ripped off the leg wax, bringing tears to Giovanni's eyes( Image: BBC)

Giovanni, who had been showing off his yodelling skills earlier in the show, soon had another chance to start yelling. He screamed when a giggling Faye quickly ripped off the wax strip, taking a lot of hair with it, while the intense pain brought tears to Giovanni's eyes. Zoe remarked: "There is a lady in the audience asking for that wax strip. Really?"

The Twitterverse was abuzz with reactions to the rib-tickling moments from the Strictly spin-off. A viewer shared their amusement, tweeting: "Oh my @Faye_Tozer waxes @pernicegiovann1's leg, should of been a lot more off. We were treated to very well us viewers." Another echoed the sentiment: "@Faye_Tozer enjoyed waxing #ItTakesTwo @pernicegiovann1 a wee tad too much. Poor lad was nearly crying...." And a third fan exclaimed: "Ouch I felt that, poor @pernicegiovann1 it looked like @Faye_Tozer enjoyed it tho. Aww bless him."

A member of the audience asked if they could take the wax strip home( Image: BBC)
Faye and Giovanni danced together on the 2018 series and 2019 live Strictly tour( Image: Brett D. Cove / SplashNews.com)

While Faye Tozer has kept mum on the matter following Amanda Abbington's stark claims regarding her own stint working with Giovanni Pernice on Strictly, she had actively been engaging with fans during their intensive practicing for the competition in 2018. Looking for advice on staying sharp amidst exhaustion, she once posed a question to her followers: "Wow... this week is super, proper, crazy, hard. I am exhausted! Any top tips for fatigue and focus? I am all ears! ! ! xxx @bbcstrictly #semifinalsweek."

Despite the hurdles, she and Giovanni charged through to the final but were pipped at the post by series victors Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton.

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