FROM winning the glitterball trophy last year to being out in week two – it’s been a drastic fall from grace for Strictly pro-dancer Giovanni Pernice.
The reigning champion was in a same-sex partnership up with radio personality Richie Anderson after last year’s win with deaf actress Rose Ayling-Ellis.
But viewers were quick to spot the pair lacked chemistry – and didn’t waste any time booting them out last night.
Despite clapping for rivals Fleur East and Vito Coppola as they were voted through by the judges, a body language expert has claimed he was “embarrassed” by the early exit.
Speaking to The Sun on behalf of Slingo, Darren Stanton said: “Giovanni went all the way while competing on Strictly last year, making the final and going on to win.
“As a professional dancer, it’s within his nature to be competitive, so it’s no surprise that he didn’t appear happy to be leaving this year’s contest in just week two.
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“Being in the bottom two is not a position Giovanni is used to.
“While he appeared to be a support to Richie throughout the results of the public vote being announced, we could see that Giovanni was feeling disappointed and slightly embarrassed to be leaving so early on.
“You’ll notice his shoulders dropped, his breathing became deeper and the usual authenticity he displays though gestures was not present.
“A number of smiles and the way Giovanni held himself wasn’t as free-flowing as his non-verbal behaviour usually is, suggesting he was caught off guard by the result.”
Richie and Giovanni opened Movie Night with a fun routine dressed as lovable duo Timon and Pumbaa.
Viewers slammed the judges for “overmarking” their samba to Hakuna Matata from The Lion King.
Show judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton du Beke all saved Fleur, meaning Shirley Ballas’s vote wasn’t needed.
However, she did tell hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly that she would have saved Richie.
