Giovanni Pernice, the professional dancer who captured the hearts of Strictly Come Dancing fans when he won the competition in 2021, 

has announced an exciting new collaboration with fellow Strictly star Kai Widdrington.

The pair have teamed up for Kai’s upcoming 2025 tour, Evolution, where Giovanni will play a key role as the show’s creative producer.

The news has sparked speculation among fans about Giovanni’s potential return to Strictly, especially as the ballroom dancer made a surprise appearance in a video shared by Kai.

In the video, Kai teased fans with a hint about his new creative collaborator, jokingly saying, “He’s very shy and you may know who it is.”

After a moment of suspense, Giovanni appeared on screen with a smile, saying: “Ladies and gents, we’re back together and it feels so good.”

Kai captioned the video with: “Introducing one of the creative producers of the EVOLUTION team, A familiar face I think you may know…” The clip, showing the two dancers together again, has quickly become a hit with fans, many of whom are hoping Giovanni will make a comeback to the Strictly dancefloor.

The reunion between Giovanni and Kai has excited Strictly fans, with many speculating that Giovanni’s involvement in Evolution could hint at his return to the BBC ballroom show. One fan commented, “Oh Giovanni, so lovely to see you. Wish you were back on Strictly.”

Another said, “The dream team are back together,” while a third posted, “It would be amazing if Giovanni returned to Strictly, he’s been missed.”

The enthusiasm for Giovanni’s possible return is clear, with many believing that his energy and charm have been sorely lacking on the show.

Giovanni’s involvement in Evolution is just the latest chapter in his evolving career. After leaving Strictly in 2022, Giovanni took on new challenges, including appearing on Channel 4’s Celebrity Hunted, where he revealed that, at one point, he felt his career had plateaued after departing the show.

In an interview with the Sunday Mirror, Giovanni admitted that he had feared his dancing career might be over after leaving Strictly. However, his involvement in Celebrity Hunted and his new role with Kai shows that Giovanni is far from finished.

Giovanni also revealed in the same interview that he has ambitions beyond dance and wants to explore acting and singing. “That’s something I’ve always wanted to do, but obviously English is not my first language, so we have to see,” Giovanni explained.

He went on to say that he plans to enroll in an English course to refine his language skills, preparing himself for a new chapter in his career as a triple threat—dancer, actor, and singer.

Giovanni’s potential return to Strictly would be particularly timely, given that several other stars are stepping back from the BBC competition.

Janette Manrara, who stepped away from dancing in 2021 to co-host It Takes Two, has recently announced that she will be taking on the role of Roxie Hart in the West End production of Chicago, marking her debut in musical theatre.

Meanwhile, reigning Strictly champion Dianne Buswell, who won the 2024 series with comedian Chris McCausland, has hinted at a major fashion collaboration with popular brand InTheStyle. Dianne is also branching into broadcasting, having announced a new podcast alongside comedian Chris.

As Dianne’s career evolves, some fans are speculating that she might not be on Strictly for much longer. In a Reddit forum, fans predicted that Dianne might leave the show to focus on her other ventures, with one user commenting, “I wouldn’t be surprised if Dianne left to focus either on other career developments or family.”

Others noted that leaving Strictly after a high-profile win could be part of a pattern, with another fan stating, “I can see Dianne pulling the classic (move) of leaving right after winning.”

If Giovanni were to return to Strictly, he would be joining a long list of stars who have moved on to other projects after their time on the show.

Oti Mabuse, who won Strictly with Bill Bailey in 2020, left the competition and has since taken on a judging role on Dancing on Ice.

As the Strictly family continues to evolve, Giovanni’s next moves—whether they include a return to the dancefloor or branching into new areas of entertainment—are sure to keep fans excited.

With Evolution bringing Kai and Giovanni back together, Strictly fans will be eagerly watching to see if Giovanni makes his long-awaited return to the BBC ballroom.

Until then, the possibility of his return continues to generate excitement and hope among fans who miss his charismatic presence on the show.