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KEEPING THEIR DISTANCE

Laura Whitmore keeps a low profile as she arrives at Strictly Come Dancing rehearsals with Giovanni Pernice after hitting back at romance rumours

The Strictly Come Dancing star kept a wide birth from her professional partner Giovanni Pernice

LAURLSTRICTLY star Laura Whitmore made sure she kept a safe distance from her dance partner Giovanni Pernice after shutting down stories they’d been seeing each other.

Arriving at a rehearsal studio in London on Tuesday, the Irish TV presenter made sure she was walking well ahead of Giovanni, despite the fact they’d arrived at the location in the same car.

 Laura made sure she walked ahead of Giovanni as they headed towards the studios
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Laura made sure she walked ahead of Giovanni as they headed towards the studiosCredit: WENN
 Covering her eyes with sunglasses, Laura looked steely as she started her day of training
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Covering her eyes with sunglasses, Laura looked steely as she started her day of trainingCredit: WENN
 Carrying a sandwich and a snack, Giovanni looked deep in thought as he followed behind
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Carrying a sandwich and a snack, Giovanni looked deep in thought as he followed behindCredit: WENN

Laura tried to stay incognito, covering her eyes with dark sunglasses as she left the car.

The former MTV star covered up her all black gym kit with an oversized green shirt and topped her look off with a tote bag.

Looking deep in thought, Giovanni walked behind Laura carrying a wrap and some snacks into the studios.

 Giovanni finally caught up with Laura when they had reached the studios
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Giovanni finally caught up with Laura when they had reached the studiosCredit: WENN

Only when the pair were close to the studios did Giovanni finally catch up with Laura.

Walking side by side, they went into their rehearsal space for another day of training.

On Sunday, Laura hit back at rumours she'd started a relationship with the Sicilian professional dancer.

She said: “This whole thing with Giovanni blew up in my face.

“I couldn’t believe it could all go so wrong, so fast.”

Labelling her relationship with the star as “completely professional”, she added: “To be honest he’s far too young for me and even though I’m single I’m still going on a couple of dates when I have the time – but not with Giovanni.”

The 31-year-old also revealed that being partnered with the 26-year-old was made especially awkward considering he had just broken up with her good friend, Georgia May Foote.

She added: “Georgia – who is a good friend of mine – has been lovely but I felt things had been spoilt before I’d even got a chance to start.”

Laura also acknowledged that Georgia, who was paired with Giovanni last year, had unfollowed her on Twitter to avoid photographs of her ex, but said that they were on good terms.

 Georgia, Ashley Roberts, Caroline Flack and Laura on a night out just weeks before the show started
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Georgia, Ashley Roberts, Caroline Flack and Laura on a night out just weeks before the show startedCredit: Planet Photos

On Saturday, Laura and Giovanni earned 30 points from the judges for their dance routine to Rhythm of the Night from Moulin Rouge as part of movie week on the BBC show.

 Laura and Giovanni danced to Rhythm of the Night from Moulin Rouge on Saturday's episode of Strictly Come Dancing
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Laura and Giovanni danced to Rhythm of the Night from Moulin Rouge on Saturday's episode of Strictly Come Dancing

Laura donned a dark red wig to take on Nicole Kidman's role of the feisty courtesan Satine in the sexy Samba, which by the song's nature meant the couple got up close and personal once more.

Former Strictly professional Gleb Savchenko added fuel to the fire by saying that he would "bet £100" that they would get together during the show in an interview about this year's competition.

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