Strictly Come Dancing pair Laura Whitmore and Giovanni Pernice actually hate each other and haven’t spoken after ‘toxic’ feud in training
WHEN LAURA WHITMORE was paired with GIOVANNI PERNICE at the start of Strictly, they were heavily tipped to embark on the latest dancefloor romance.
The Italian hunk was newly single after splitting from GEORGIA MAY FOOTE and Laura was heading into the series officially unattached.
All the ingredients were in place for an epic love story played out in front of the nation, but I can reveal there was a major factor stopping them taking their rumba to the bedroom — they hated each other.
Laura and Giovanni’s simmering feud worsened after they were voted off the show earlier this month and they now no longer speak.
A source said: “The atmosphere between Laura and Gio was never that great, but it’s now turned toxic.
“They clashed during rehearsals as Laura got increasingly agitated with Gio’s tone and general rudeness.
“They pulled it together for the live shows but behind the scenes it was a different story.
“There’s certainly no love lost between them and it’s doubtful they’ll remain in contact when the series is wrapped up later this month.”
Laura is close pals with former Corrie star Georgia, who partnered Gio during the 2015 series. They later became a couple but split shortly before the new series, so Laura was given the awkward task of dancing with her friend’s ex.
RELATED STORIES
The pair got to week seven — a decent result — before the judges opted to keep favourite ORE ODUBA, who had joined them in the bottom two. Gio was accused by the experts of stealing the limelight in the dance which ultimately cost them their place in the show.
He chose to do an elaborate spin, rather than “showing off” his partner at the end of the routine.
However, it wasn’t just Gio’s rudeness which caused a rift between the couple — Laura had her faults, too.
Another source added: “Gio got frustrated with Laura over-analysing everything and not playing the PR game.
“She didn’t like filming videos and didn’t promote their pairing like other couples did, which is vital to win votes.”
These two seem more likely to feature in a UFC battle than the next Strictly tour.
Bella enjoys Weeknd break
BELLA HADID hardly needs a gym session to work on a “revenge body” after splitting from THE WEEKND.
But the superfit supermodel is still intent on working up a sweat, perhaps in preparation for the Victoria’s Secret fashion show in Paris next month.
She was pictured here in New York on a shoot for Nike, after launching a fitness collaboration with the brand.
Whoever her next boyfriend is, he won’t go short of trainers.
Batty about Adele
IT’S well known that ADELE has suffered from stage fright when performing to thousands of fans.
But she was left terrified for an entirely different reason during her gig in Mexico City on Monday.
The singer flew into a panic when a bat suddenly swooped down and attacked one of the audience following her rendition of Don’t You Remember.
Running away from the creature while flapping her arms, she screamed: “Is that a f***ing bat? Oh my God! There’s a f***ing bat! It landed right on your head! Welcome to Mexico. It’s really good to be here – but a f***ing bat?”
After calming down and apologising to the crowd, she explained: “One time a bat got into my house. I was on my own, it was very scary.” It was a colourful end to the third-to-last concert of her 2016 world tour, but Adele has even more reasons to be worried next year.
Today she said she will play a further leg in Australia – the critter capital of the world – meaning there might be more creature discomforts in store.
She might just need a rethink.
Girls all glam up for Bono
DESPITE being beaten to the top prize by a bloke, A-list female stars still made a big effort at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards in LA.
There was even a slight smile on the face of model CARA DELEVINGNE, possibly because actress AMBER HEARD – who she’s rekindled her relationship with – was also at the bash, along with singer GWEN STEFANI.
But the night belonged to BONO, the first man to be honoured at the awards. The U2 singer – with reality star CAITLYN JENNER – said in his speech: “This is . . . well, it is a bit ridiculous.”
He then read a tweet: “Glamour named Bono Woman of the Year, but the transitions lenses do make him look like a 75-year-old lady from Miami.” He’s a sport.
Perrie stuck Gigi in the Mix
PERRIE EDWARDS’ former fella ZAYN MALIK wasn’t the only target of LITTLE MIX’s controversial diss track Shout Out To My Ex.
The words in the scrapped verse are said to be: “Heard he been f***ing some model chick, yeah that s*** hurt I’ll admit, but f*** that boy I’m over it”.
When quizzed during an interview in Australia as to why the lyrics were changed , Perrie replied: “We had to make it clean. We didn’t want to have the Parental Advisory sticker on our albums and singles.
“Even though our fans are our age, 20 or over 18, we still have a lot of young fans. But it does feel good to swear, doesn’t it?”
Gigi might not agree.
Ballsy move
NOT many people could get away with crunching VINNIE JONES’s manhood. But cheeky JAMES CORDEN appears to have done just that at the launch of the new Jaguar I-Pace in LA on Monday night.
James joined ONE DIRECTION star NIALL HORAN and football hardman Vinnie at the event.
And he managed to persuade the Lock Stock actor to recreate the iconic football picture in which he grabs PAUL GASCOIGNE’s private parts.
Luckily for James, Vinnie saw the funny side.
Lo-Ho-Ho! Lindsay's coming to town
CHRISTMAS has come early for Kettering.
I’ve learned that after much speculation, LINDSAY LOHAN will switch on the Northamptonshire town’s festive lights – and she wants the Prime Minister to join her.
In an exclusive chat, she confirmed: “My team is trying to sort this out right now to make sure it fits the schedule. I would love for to join me there too.”
When local MP Philip Hollobone invited Lindsay to the town, she replied: “Direct message me about your offer. Would be happy to light the Christmas tree in #Kettering.”
But locals were left in the dark about whether the actress would appear.
Ex-EastEnder CHERYL FERGISON had been ready to step in but she will still be there for a performance with the local panto cast.
Maybe Lindsay will make her Beauty And The Beast stage debut.
Emeli's top of the crops
FIRST JAMES BAY removes his hat . . . now EMELI SANDE has got rid of her trademark quiff.
Fear not, however. It’s only temporary.
The singer showed off her short hair in the music video for new track Garden, far right, which was unveiled yesterday. The song is from her new album Long Live The Angels, which is currently flying off the shelves and soaring up the charts.
She won’t be pulling her hair out when she sees the sales figures.
Fresh Prince of Worthy Farm
WILL SMITH was close to Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It at Glastonbury last year, according to music sidekick JAZZY JEFF.
The DJ revealed they were approached by Worthy Farm bosses to perform a comeback set.
Jazzy said: “We had interest in Glastonbury. Whenever the decision comes down, I’m there.” He’s keen to reunite their partnership, known as DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, but is waiting on Will, whose film schedule is proving problematic.
Jazzy added: “It gets a little hard with him being one of the biggest movie stars in the world to free up his time. He absolutely positively wants to do this.”
Let’s hope it happens.
Bizbit
MILEY CYRUS’s 16-year-old sister NOAH has finally shared her debut single (Make Me) Cry.
It features Brit star LABRINTH on vocals and I’m told there is plenty more to come next year too.
