Giovanni was born on the Italian island of Sicily, and at age 14 he moved to Bologna to train full time in dance. He first started competing as an adult in 2008, winning competitions all over Europe. Specialising in Latin, his greatest achievement was winning the Italian Championships in 2012.
In March 2023 Giovanni and Anton Du Beke are starring together in a brand-new BBC1 three-part entertainment travel series ‘Anton and Giovanni: Adventures in Sicily’
This year he is also touring his new solo show ‘Made in Italy’ and following that he will be performing with Anton Du Beke in the ‘Him & Me’ UK Tour.
In 2021 Giovanni partnered and won BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing with Eastender’s actress Rose Ayling-Ellis. This victory captured the hearts of the nation and raised awareness for the deaf community. Their Couple’s Dance to Symphony consequently won them a 2022 BAFTA TV Award for Must-See Moment.
Giovanni joined Strictly as a returning professional dancer in 2015.
In 2020, Giovanni toured with his new production This Is Me . In 2021, Giovanni played the Dance Master in his feature film debut, Man and Witch. Other notable work in 2021 included being a judge on I Like The Way You Move, guest appearance on Ru Paul’s Drag Race, as well as touring the UK with Anton du Beke in Him & Me. Giovanni finished the year by partnering TV & Radio presenter Richie Anderson in his first ever all male pairing.
Giovanni currently holds 2 Guinness World Records – the most jive kick and flicks in 30 seconds and the most Charleston swivel steps in 30 seconds. This was recorded on the Strictly Pro Challenge seen on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two.
