'At thirty-three, after a lifetime of striving to be the best dancer I could be, I was a man at the top of his game. Fresh from lifting the Glitterball and winning a BAFTA I was living my wildest dreams.
This is the story of how quickly it can fall apart, and how, when it felt like everything was against me, I fought to find a way back and take the lead of my own life once more ...'
From Sicily to Strictly, Giovanni Pernice tells his story for the first time, revealing the journey that shaped him both on and off the dance floor.
Growing up in Sicily, Giovanni began dancing as a child, training at the renowned Paladanze school before joining the elite Team Diablo, famed for its rigorous approach and world-class Latin champions.
When Giovanni joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2015, he quickly won audiences over with his talent, ambition and charisma, building one of the most loyal fanbases in the show's history and becoming one of its most adored stars.
In 2021, Giovanni reached the pinnacle of his Strictly career, winning the series with Rose Ayling-Ellis and delivering an unforgettable performance that was awarded Must-See TV Moment at the British Academy Television Awards.
Then came the headlines.
After years at the heart of Britain's biggest entertainment show, Giovanni's journey on Strictly came to an unexpected end. The events that followed tested his resilience and reshaped his perspective on life. Through it all, one thing never changed: the connection with his audience, who supported him and got him through those tough times.
Warm, candid and inspiring, Gio: Taking the Lead is a story of ambition, sacrifice, reinvention and finding strength when the music stops.
This is Giovanni - in his own words.
Giovanni Pernice is an BAFTA Award-winning dancer and former Strictly Come Dancing Champion who joined the show in 2015. Over nine series, he became a firm audience favourite, renowned for his passion, precision, and unmistakable Italian flair.
Giovanni holds two Guinness World Records from the Strictly Pro Challenge and continues to captivate audiences with his live performances beyond the television screen. Giovanni currently stars on the Italian version of Strictly, Ballando con le Stelle, winning the 2024 series alongside his partner and girlfriend, actress Bianca Guaccero.
