Strictly Come Dancing bosses have found a replacement for Giovanni Pernice, and it’s another Italian hunk.

Simone Arena, 33, is reportedly joining the dance competition’s line up of dance professionals who are paired with the celebrity contestants.

He is already familiar to his new colleagues as he is the boyfriend of Michelle Tsiakkis, 29, a Strictly pro dancer who was last year paired with EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick.

The Italian dancer is no stranger to the Strictly format after previously starring as a pro on the Belgian, Italian and Irish versions of the show.

Born in Catania, Italy, Simone has been a professional dancer since childhood, becoming the Vice Italian Latin Champion at the age of 16.

He has also performed in the Broadway touring production of Burn the Floor and was also announced as part of the cast of Somnium: A Dancer’s Dream with Strictly Come Dancing stars, Katya Jones and Neil Jones, in 2019.

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Italian dancer Simone Arena is reportedly set to join the professional lineup for Strictly Come Dancing, replacing Giovanni Pernice

Simone joined the Strictly global franchise in 2021, winning the Belgian version of the show with artistic gymnast Nine Derwael.

As a professional on the Irish version of the dance competition, he was partnered with RuPaul’s Drag Race winner, Blu Hydrangea, as well as Kin actress, Yasmin Seky.

A source told the Sun on Sunday: ‘Simone blew the Strictly bosses away when he auditioned as a new professional on the show.

‘He is no stranger to the Strictly format after previously starring as a pro on the Belgian, Italian and Irish versions of the series.

‘Simone is well known among the pros and his girlfriend Michelle [Tsiakkas] loved her time on the series last year.’

Last year, Pernice, 34, departed the BBC show after his partner Amanda Abbington, 51, accused him of ‘inappropriate, mean, nasty bullying’ and claimed she was subjected to a ‘toxic environment’.

But following a BBC investigation, the dancer was cleared of serious allegations regarding his behaviour, while six bullying complaints were upheld.

Earlier this month, the BBC revealed which professionals would be returning to battle it out for the Glitterball Trophy.

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He is already familiar to his new colleagues as he is the boyfriend of Michelle Tsiakkis, 29, a Strictly pro dancer who was last year paired with EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick

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View gallery

Earlier this month, the BBC revealed which professionals would be returning to battle it out for the Glitterball Trophy

They included Amy Dowden, who was forced to pull out last year due to a foot injury, Johannes Radebe, Gorka Marquez, Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Vito Coppola and reigning champion Dianne Buswell, who won the 2024 show with blind comedian Chris McCausland.

Strictly executive producer Sarah James also revealed there would be ‘two new pros’ who will ‘help bring another unforgettable series of dazzling dance.’

Giovanni walked away from his glitzy spot in the dancing competition last spring while the BBC investigated the allegations made towards him by the Sherlock actress.

But his step down did not stop him from dancing as he continued to perform in his own stage show before he appeared on the Italian version of Strictly.

When BBC bosses eventually published their report into Giovanni’s behaviour it cleared him of the most serious allegations of physical aggression, but upheld verbal bullying and harassment.

At the time, Giovanni said he was ‘pleased’ to be cleared of ‘threatening and abusive behaviour.’

The report also told how they had upheld six out of 17 allegations from Amanda. The report said that Giovanni – a perfectionist – ‘was swearing and using what could be described as belittling language’ which it said amounted to bullying behaviour.

The BBC apologised to the former Sherlock actress and also thanked her for coming forward to raise her grievances.