Strictly’s Giovanni Pernice and Ashley Roberts split after one year of dating

Sad times.

Strictly Come Dancing's Giovanni Pernice and Ashley Roberts have split after one year of dating. The couple - who met during the 2018 instalment of the BBC reality show - called it quits recently after a 14 month relationship. Giovanni announced the news this evening via Twitter, saying: "@ImAshleyRoberts and I have made the decision to separate as a couple. We remain friends and wish each other well for the future." Ashley has yet to comment on the split. Ashley and Giovanni were first linked while they were both starring on Strictly two years ago. Ashley was partnered with Pasha Kovalev and Giovanni was dancing with former Steps member Faye Tozer, but this clearly didn't stop the pair from getting close backstage. They eventually confirmed their relationship in December of 2018 when they were seen kissing in Miami. Giovanni has said that despite the number of Strictly contestants who get together on the show, he still doesn't believe in the dreaded Strictly curse. "If you’re in a strong relationship, it’s not inevitable that you’ll begin an affair with your dance partner," he said. "The rumba, the Argentine tango, they require you to put across physical attraction. But it doesn’t have to spill over to real life." Ashley is currently preparing to take to the road with Nicole Scherzinger, Kimberly Wyatt, Carmit Bachar and Jessica Sutta for the Pussycat Dolls reunion. The band announced that they were getting back together last year.