They were spotted enjoying a boozy one-on-one lunch this week, sparking rumours that they could be the latest victims of the Strictly curse, which was mocked by them and her husband.
And Faye Tozer left viewers hot under the collar after delivering a sizzling paso doble with Giovanni Pernice on Saturday during the show’s Blackpool spectacular.
The couple left the judges and audience shell-shocked as they performed the sultry Latin dance to Unstoppable’ by E. S. Posthumus, while Faye’s husband Mick Smith cheered from the sidelines.
Fiery: Faye Tozer left viewers hot under the collar after delivering a sizzling paso doble with Giovanni Pernice on Saturday during the show’s Blackpool spectacular
Complete with plenty of fire displays and bull fighting-esque movements, her performance left everyone struggling to catch their breath.
Darcy gushed: ‘Beautiful strong delivery, dramatic attack but what you kept was that femininity and that was difficult, that is hard when the music is so powerful, and you have to keep that with the action of the movements, that extraordinary straight lift. Being passed around, really well controlled.’
Bruno added: ‘I’m still steaming like a pressure cooker but I have to say the dynamic and structure of the dance was superb, every partner is different, but this was one was the paso dominatrix.’
Supportive: Faye’s husband Mick Smith cheered from the sidelines during her performance
In awe: Faye and Giovanni left the judges and audience shell-shocked as they performed the sultry paso doble to Unstoppable’ by E. S. Posthumus
Incredible: Complete with plenty of fire displays and bull fighting-esque movements, her performance left everyone struggling to catch their breath, earning a score of 38 out of 40
This resulted in yet another high score from the duo, with 38 points out of 40.
Viewers at home were left equally gobsmacked by the sizzling performance with some taking to Twitter to express their excitement for the routine.
One wrote: ‘Faye and Giovanni that was FIRE!!! 10s please judges’, while another echoed this: ‘Crikey @Faye_Tozer and @pernicegiovann1 what a dance! Hotski! Amazingly theatrical, and sexy.’
While one said: ‘Faye and Giovanni that was one of the sexiest things I have ever seen I’m so obsessed.’
Reaction: Viewers at home were left equally gobsmacked by the sizzling performance with some taking to Twitter to express their excitement for the routine
Another added: ‘Held my breath for the entire Faye and Giovanni routine – incredible scenes.’
It came after Faye enjoyed a boozy lunch with her dance partner Giovanni to celebrate her 43rd birthday.
Faye was beaming as she rang in the special day with the Italian professional dancer, who is rumoured to be dating co-star Ashley Roberts.
During the meal, the handsome dancer was deep in conversation with the Nineties pop sensation before spoon feeding her, cupping her cheek, ordering a cake with a candle, drinking wine and later footing the bill.
Hilarious:It came after Faye enjoyed a boozy lunch with her dance partner Giovanni to celebrate her 43rd birthday
Amusing: Faye Tozer’s beau Mick Smith playfully addressed his wife’s boozy lunch with Giovanni Pernice, as he posed on Instagram with food by his mouth calling out to the dancer
Despite filming throughout the lunch, there was no mention on either of their social media accounts of the meal, with Faye instead sharing a sweet snap with some family members.
The Steps star’s husband Mick Smith playfully addressed the cosy snaps of his wife and Giovanni.
Faye and Giovanni also poked fun at the photos in a tongue-in-cheek video.
Up first to dance on the night was Stacey Dooley and her dance partner Kevin Clifton who were delivered a party-starting Salsa to ‘Ooh Ahh (Just A Little Bit)’ by Gina G.
The gorgeous broadcaster was looking to utilise all the best elements of the iconic Blackpool beach, and even made her grand entrance on a giant stick of rock.
Stacey’s amazing hip movements went down a storm with the watching audience, with judges Shirley Ballas and Bruno Tonioli giving the beauty a standing ovation.
Showgirl: Up first was Stacey Dooley and her dance partner Kevin Clifton who were delivered a party-starting Salsa to ‘Ooh Ahh (Just A Little Bit)’ by Gina G
Shirley said: ‘You brought more than the donkey and a bucket a spade! Those lifts! You really brought it today, your one tiny final thing is to get your feet closed but oh my goodness Stacey Fantastic!’
Craig added: ‘You need to be aware of your legs in all the lifts especially anticipate the direction of getting them there and getting out of them was quite haphazard and ugly, but apart from that I thought your hip action was fantastic.’
But despite her positive reviews, Stacey’s score was branded ‘undermarked’ by viewers, with a total of 33 points out of 40.
Not so good: But despite her positive reviews, Stacey’s score was branded ‘undermarked’ by viewers, with a total of 33 points out of 40
Second to dance was Lauren Steadman and AJ Pritchard, who danced the infamously difficult Argentine Tango to ‘River’ by Bishop Briggs.
Despite giving it her all the performance earned a mixed reception from the panel, who said that while she got the technique right the performance missed the sizzling chemistry.
Bruno said: ‘It’s watching a little girl growing up in front of your eyes, all dark and moody and scary, I love the intent you put into the dance, but it lacked a little bit of fluidity and intimacy.
‘Imagine a conversation, it’s very very grown up and it’s very difficult to portray, but you did the best you could with a v difficult dance.’
Tough ride: Second to dance was Lauren Steadman and AJ Pritchard, who danced the infamously difficult Argentine Tango to ‘River’ by Bishop Briggs
Sultry: Despite giving it her all the performance earned a mixed reception from the panel, who said that while she got the technique right the performance missed the sizzling chemistry
Darcy added: ‘I have to be with the judges here, it’s so hard and it did look challenging for you, that extraordinary focus you have, you were putting it solely into the technique and you were really missing that chemistry and passion.
‘To have that narrative so each movement has purpose, and for me that was just missing, you just have a little bit time on that one.’
The judges comments were reflected in the score, with just 25 points out of 40.
Greatest show: Third to dance was Graeme Swann with Oti Mabuse, with the cricketer showing off his showman skills with a Theatre and Jazz Couples’ Choice to ‘The Trolley Song’ from Meet Me in St. Louis
Big win: His hard work paid off as Graeme and Oti earned their highest score to date with 32 points out of 40
Third to dance was Graeme Swann with Oti Mabuse, with the cricketer showing off his showman skills with a Theatre and Jazz Couples’ Choice to ‘The Trolley Song’ from Meet Me in St. Louis.
No stranger to giving the dance his all, Graeme’s performance earned a predominantly positive reception from the judges, who praised his musicality and skill in commanding the dance.
Craig said: ‘I can’t see you having a career in musical theatre, however it was character driven you did very very well, but you didn’t lead the dance at all.
‘It needs to have a lot more style, by leading I mean taking the story forward, you do tell the story and you do commit to the dances every week and that’s what I love about you.’
But Bruno countered: ‘Carry on like this and the WE will be calling. I actually thought the characters were fantastic, it had a Dick Van Dyke, it was a mish-mash of WE musicals, but I thought you played it extremely well, you showed stage craft.’
His hard work paid off as Graeme and Oti earned their highest score to date with 32 points out of 40.
Lovely: Next to take to the stage was Kate Silverton and Aljaz Skorjanec, dancing the American Smooth to ‘Everlasting Love’ by Love Affair
Showstopping: After finishing bottom second of the leaderboard last week, the pair had something to prove, which they certainly did as the judges praised their beautiful performance
Next to take to the stage was Kate Silverton and Aljaz Skorjanec, dancing the American Smooth to ‘Everlasting Love’ by Love Affair.
After finishing bottom second of the leaderboard last week, the pair had something to prove, which they certainly did as the judges praised their beautiful performance.
The duo’s solid routine resulted in a score of 30 out of 40.
The show also kicked off in spectacular fashion, with Gloria Estefan taking to the stage for a sensational rendition of one of her biggest hits accompanied by the professional dancers.
Explosive: The show also kicked off in spectacular fashion, with Gloria Estefan taking to the stage for a sensational rendition of one of her biggest hits