Strictly Come Dancing professional Vito Coppola has opened up about the upcoming series and a potential return for Giovanni Pernice.

Vito Coppola addressed a potential comeback for Giovanni Pernice (Image: Getty)

Strictly Come Dancing star Vito Coppola discussed the potential return of Giovanni Pernice as he looks ahead to the upcoming series of the BBC competition. The professional dancer, who waltzed his way to victory with Coronation Street star Ellie Leach in 2023, is eagerly anticipating the fresh batch of celebrities. Amidst a shroud of secrecy surrounding any new twists in the upcoming season, Vito expressed his curiosity as he speculated what could be in store.

Speaking to Express.co.uk about the upcoming series at the BAFTA TV Awards, Vito admitted he doesn’t know what to expect as the professionals are kept in the dark. He said: “We don’t know anything! They keep the surprise even for us dancers. But they always bring something new, some sparkle, glitter. But every year I think this is the best one, but then something makes it even better, so I’m very excited.”

Vito won Strictly in 2023 (Image: Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty I)

Speaking about his “dream partner”, Vito revealed he’d love to dance with his “crush” who he identified as actress Jessica Alba.

“I mean, I don’t know if Jessica’s listening to me, but please, feel free to join me. I promise I will give you the best time ever,” he quipped.

Probed about the return of a former professional, Vito continued: “I mean, in Strictly everything is so unpredictable that you never can predict anything. It could be a new pro, it could be someone from the past, it could be someone I haven’t worked with before.

“There are many pros that when I arrived I hadn’t worked with on the show. So I’m very, very curious. The first thing that I’ll do for sure, if I know or don’t know them, is hug them strong and give them a big kiss on the cheek.”

Giovanni stepped down from Strictly in 2024 (Image: BBC)

Asked about whether Giovanni could be making a comeback, Vito responded: “I don’t know. From what I know, he is now in Italy. But I don’t know because with Strictly they are so secret.

“They are so cryptic and they want to keep it as a surprise for us as well. So I mean, whoever it’s going to be, I’m going to be super excited. I’m like a little puppy you know, always around. I cannot wait.”

Giovanni stepped down from Strictly come dancing after nine years in 2024. His departure came after Amanda Abbington, who was partnered with Giovanni in 2023, claimed that his behaviour was “unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean” during rehearsals and raised 17 complaints against the dancer.

After a nine-month investigation, the BBC upheld six of the allegations, including verbal bullying and harassment, but cleared him of physical aggression. Giovanni has strongly denied any allegations of misconduct.