Laura Whitmore and new Strictly Come Dancing partner Giovanni Pernice celebrate his birthday together
LAURA Whitmore and Giovanni Pernice were partnered up on Strictly Come Dancing just last week, but they already appear to be getting close.
The pairing left fans wondering what Laura's close pal — and Giovanni's recent ex — Georgia May Foote would have to say about it, but now they may be wondering what she has to say about these photos.
The Italian dancer turned 26 on Monday, and the following day he was snapped celebrating with Laura, who appeared to have given him a "Birthday Boy" balloon.
Former I'm a Celeb presenter Laura, 31, was dressed casually in black leggings, a loose blue T-shirt and a leather jacket.
The Irish beauty carried a tan messenger bag over her shoulder and wore her hair in a messy bun at the nape of her neck.
Giovanni wore black jeans with a white sweater, and had a black backpack on his back and a pair of headphones around his neck.
The pair appear to be getting along well after being partnered on Strictly last week.
They were seen hugging and hanging out at a picnic table, where Giovanni indulged in a cigarette.
They reportedly had lunch together at a local cafe the same day.
Meanwhile Giovanni's ex Georgia seemed to be in good spirits as she was spotted out in about in London today.
The former Corrie star, who is set to star in Breakfast at Tiffany's next month, was seen smiling outside the Theatre Royal Haymarket.
She looked well put together in a pair of black jeans, a red off-the-shoulder sweater, high-heeled boots and oversized hoop earrings.
Georgia, 25, and Giovanni split just weeks ago after less than a year together.
The pair had in fact met on Strictly Come Dancing, with Georgia describing Giovanni as "the best thing that ever happened to me".
The couple moved in together and even exchanged rings as a symbol of their commitment to each other.
However Georgia announced their split in late August in an emotional statement on Twitter.
She wrote: “It is with great sadness we have decided to split up. There is nobody else involved.
“Although it was not an easy decision to make sometimes you realise that it is better to be friends and this is one of those times.
“We both have very busy work schedules for the rest of the year so we are both going to focus on our upcoming work projects and we wish each other well in the future.”
A source said: “Georgia knows just how intimately the couples have to dance and is terrified that Giovanni might hook up with Laura.
“She is devastated that they are no longer together and struggling with the thought of Gio getting up close and personal with a friend of hers.”
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However on Monday she showed she has no hard feelings for her former flame, taking to Twitter to wish him a happy birthday.
And she suggested she has no problem with her friend Laura being paired up with her ex, as she added: "So excited to be on the Strictly journey with ya! #TeamLovanni."
She also wished the dancing partners well in a previous tweet, writing: "I would just like to wish @thewhitmore and @pernicegiovann1 good luck. Shes a beautiful person.”