'There is no problem between us': Strictly's Giovanni Pernice slams rumours of a 'feud' with his dance partner Richie Anderson in passionate speech on It Takes Two 

Strictly Come Dancing pro Giovanni Pernice has hit back at reports he is locked in a 'feud' with his celebrity dance partner Richie Anderson.

The professional dancer and Radio 2 star Richie appeared on Strictly's spin off show It Takes Two on Wednesday night, where Giovanni slammed rumours the pair 'haven't clicked' since being paired together on the hit show. 

Speaking directly into the camera on Wednesday's live show, Giovanni insisted there was 'no problem' between them. 

'We are having a good, we're definitely having a good time. Obviously it's a dance competition at the end of the day so we have to learn something,' he told viewers.

'But there is no problem. Where is the camera? There is no problem between us, we are having a good time. So forget about what you are writing, it's not true.'

Richie laughed and placed his hand on Giovanni's shoulder as he nodded along, while It Takes Two host Janette Manrara joked they were 'in love'.

Richie paid tribute to Giovanni on Sunday, alongside a video of them doing a the Cha Cha Cha around the ballroom. 

'A moment I'll never forget and so grateful I got to share it with Giovanni,' Richie wrote on Instagram underneath the clip. 

'Thank you Gio for being the most amazing teacher over the past fortnight. Last night was a dream come true moment.'

He added: 'Plenty of feedback from the judges to take on board, can't wait to get back in the rehearsal studio tomorrow and put it into practice. Thank you Gio and Strictly.' 

It comes after rumours the pair 'haven't clicked' since being paired together as tensions rise off camera.

They were announced as the BBC shows second all-male partnership and are one of two same-sex pairings on this years series.

Sources told The Sun that professional dancer Giovanni was becoming frustrated with Richie not listening to him in rehearsals. 

One insider 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.'

They then added that it was early days and they were still getting used to each other: 'Giovanni thinks Richie has real potential in the competition.'

However, a source close to the pair told MailOnline: 'Talk of them not getting on is nonsense. They are having such a laugh and were thrilled at the reaction on Saturday night.'

For the first time in the show's history, there will be two same-sex couples performing in the same series, with Karen, who last year danced with Greg Wise, taking to the floor with comedian Jayde.

The fifteen couples have been working hard in the training room, with their debut performance set to air during the first Strictly live show on Saturday, with the judging panel scoring each dance out of 40.

The pairs will then deliver a second performance the following week when the public vote will open, before a results show on Sunday reveals which two pairs received the fewest votes and must compete in the dance off.

The judges will then decide which couple they would like to save, and the other pair will be eliminated. 

The series opener also featured two incredible performances from the Strictly professionals, as well as the return of reigning champion Rose Ayling-Ellis, and a music performance from John Legend who performed his new single All She Wanna Do.

Joining Claudia and Giovanni on the sofa ahead of their comeback dance, Rose told how it was 'lovely' to be back on the show while expressing her shock that it had been a year since she took part.

She added that training for her return dance with Giovanni made her realise how much she 'missed' training with him, while the Italian hunk added that the few hours they danced together once again was 'magical'.  

Dusting off their paddles were returning judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke. 

While viewers were no doubt sad not to see show favourites Aljaz Skorjanec and Oti Mabuse, who both quit Strictly Come Dancing earlier this year.

This series has also seen the introduction of four new professionals, European cup winner Vito Coppola, Chinese National Champion Carlos Gu, former Under 21 British National Champion Lauren Oakley and Latin dance champion Michelle Tsiakkas.

During Friday's launch the four pros were officially introduced to viewers through a pre-filmed cinematic dance routine.