Strictly’s Richie Anderson and Giovanni Pernice leave rehearsals separately amid feud rumours

STRICTLY Come Dancing star Richie Anderson and his pro partner Giovanni Pernice looked deep in thought as they left rehearsals separately yesterday.

Radio 2 host Richie was seen exiting the building alone amid reports they have had a rocky start to the competition.

The pair then headed to It Takes Two together.

Sources told how reigning champ Giovanni, 32, has struggled to get his points across to Richie who is “extremely over-excited” to be taking part.

One said: “The pair haven’t clicked. Richie is so swept up by the whole experience that he is talking 100 words a minute, and it can be hard for Giovanni.

“He has told pals that Richie talks instead of listening during training, and it is frustrating.”

But the source added that it was early days and they are still getting used to each other.

They added: “Giovanni thinks Richie has real potential in the competition.”

Richie later broke his silence on the situation and thanks Gio after their first live performance, a Cha Cha Cha to I'm Your Man by Wham!.

Richie, 34, shared a video of the dance and said: "A moment I’ll never forget and so lucky I got to share it with @pernicegiovann1 ❤️.

"Thank you Gio for being the best teacher over the past fortnight.

"Plenty of feedback from the judges to take on board, can’t wait to get back in the training room."

The duo are the second all-male partnership to appear on the show after Johannes Radebe and baking star John Whaite made the final of the competition last year.

This year’s show also sees comic Jayde Adams paired with Karen Hauer.