‘Strictly Come Dancing’ professional Giovanni Pernice has hit back at former dancer Gleb Savchenko over his claims affairs are rife behind the scenes of the show. 

Earlier this week, Gleb specifically name-checked Giovanni when sharing his belief there are more backstage romances on the show than viewers get to hear about. 

“I think people like Giovanni and his partner or any of the others are making out when no one is seeing it,” Gleb told The Sun. “I cannot answer that question. It could well be happening.”

Giovanni has now furiously responded to the accusations about him and partner Faye Tozer, telling the paper: “This is total and utter nonsense! No one has any idea why Gleb is saying stuff like this. It’s utter rubbish.”

HuffPost UK has also contacted a rep for Faye for additional comment, and is awaiting a response. 

Giovanni, who previously dated ‘Strictly’ partner Georgia May Foote, recently split from former ‘TOWIE’ star Jess Wright, while Steps singer Faye has been married to husband Michael – with whom she has a son – for nearly nine years. 

Gleb’s comments came in light of contestant Seann Walsh’s much-discussed kiss with partner Katya Jones, which was captured on film during a night out. 

Reacting to the story, he said: “A lot of stuff happens secretly that we don’t know about.

“It’s obvious the dancers have feelings – it’s not necessarily that they want to go and f*** them but a lot of people do.”

He added: “It’s normal if you’re single but if you’re not single then OK, you’ve taken that a bit too far.

“I know from the past that these things happen and people get married and even stay together from the curse – it happens.”

‘Strictly Come Dancing’ continues on Saturday at 6.45pm on BBC One.