Giovanni Pernice thinks he's be a better Strictly Come Dancing judge than Anton Du Beke

Giovanni Pernice thinks he’s more qualified for the ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ judging panel than Anton Du Beke.

The latest professional winner of the BBC One Latin and ballroom competition - who scooped up the Glitterball trophy with ‘EastEnders’ star Rose Ayling-Ellis - joked that he had a better track record than the new judge. who worked on the show for 18 years before slipping into the role left by Bruno Tonioli.

The 31-year-old dancer told the ‘Dish’ podcast hosts Nick Grimshaw and Angela Hartnett: “I’m the professional dancer. I think he’s been in the final once in eighteen years - so that’s, a good record for him.

“He’s never won Strictly, and I’ve been in the final five times. Just in seven years.”

Giovanni - who has been partnered with celebs such as ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ star Michelle Visage, ‘Coronation Street’ actress Georgia May Foote and ‘Love Island’ presenter Laura Whitmore - praised Anton and how he has “always” supported him throughout his journey on the show as he arrived to the UK from his native Italy without much English and praised the “fun” they have together.

He added: “I couldn’t speak any English and he has always been there for me since the beginning.

“That’s the thing that we talk about when we do the show together - it’s about the fun that he’s never won Strictly.”

Recently, Giovanni unveiled a new tattoo paying homage to the late Queen frontman, Freddie Mercury, one his “biggest idols”, along with the message “I’m going to be what I was born to be – a performer” inked next to the depiction of the singer.

In 2020, he gushed about the star - who died from complications from AIDS in 1991 - and his “power”.

Giovanni said: “One of my biggest idols is Freddie Mercury. He could do everything, and he had such power and incredible energy on stage.

“Unfortunately, I never got to see him live. But I watch all the clips of him on YouTube and he is just incredible, honestly. Just unbelievable energy.”